*First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu becomes Global and National Stop TB Champion, as she advocates a renewed commitment, especially at the state level to the fight against Tuberculosis in Nigeria

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has advocated a renewed commitment, especially at the state level to the fight against Tuberculosis (TB) in the West African country.

Senator Tinubu made this call while speaking during her investiture as the Global and National Stop TB Champion in the State House, Abuja, FCT.

Busola Kukoyi, Senior Special Assistant to the First Lady on Media Thursday, March 28, 2024, stated the First Lady applauded the role of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in raising awareness.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu affirmed that such public聽 awareness has led to a significant improvement in case finding and treatment coverage of the disease in Nigeria.

She said: “Let me acknowledge the efforts of all stakeholders at the national, regional, and global levels towards addressing the TB epidemic, following the adoption of the Political Declaration at the United Nations High-Level Meeting, held in New York, in September 2023. “Building on this commitment, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is fully committed to the fight against tuberculosis and achieving the goals set forth in the Political Declaration, alongside other national goals towards ensuring a healthier and more prosperous Nigeria.”

Kukoyi noted the Nigerian First Lady also charged the Wives of State Governors, whom she also decorated as TB Champions for their respective States, to raise the awareness further to ensure that the disease which is treatable is brought to the barest minimum.

Senator Tinubu stated: “This designation is not just a title, but carries with it the power to make a difference.

“I kindly appeal that you all use your exalted positions to amplify awareness about Tuberculosis, to end the stigma associated with it, and to help patients in your respective States access the available treatments and support.”

In driving home her commitment to the fight of TB, the newly decorated Global and National Champion through the Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI made a donation of N1billion to the course.

鈥淚 dedicate this investiture to Daniel, one of my staff, who unfortunately lost his life to the disease and to others who we have lost just like him by remaining silent.

鈥淪tarting from now, let us work together by showing compassion, understanding to end stigma and discrimination,” said she.

Earlier, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, noted that the success recorded so far in the fight against the disease is a collective effort of not only the health care sector but also all Nigerians.

Pate submitted this should be sustained because of the evidence of the great political will demonstrated by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In her remarks at the event, Dr. Lucica Ditiu, Executive Director of Global Stop TB Partnership, Geneva, appealed to Nigeria to mobilise domestic resources for the purpose of addressing the scourge in the country.

Dr. Ditiu stated: “If it does not happen in Nigeria, it will not happen in Africa. If does not happen in Africa, it will not happen in the world.”

The Executive Director also commended the leadership role of the First Lady especially by taking the lead in health-related issues.

She further applauded the leadership of the Health Ministry in the country, saying the men at the helm of affairs are the appropriate ones for the job.

After the investiture of the Nigerian First Lady as the Global and National Stop TB Champion, Ditiu also decorated the wives of State Governors as State Champions of Stop TB.

In attendance at the event also were former First Ladies and wives of former Vice Presidents, among others.

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