By Cross Udo, Abuja
The First Lady, Senator Senator Oluremi Tinubu has advocated for a renewed commitment, especially at the state level to the fight against Tuberculosis in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s First Lady made the advocacy during her investiture as the Global and National Stop TB Champion at the State House Abuja.
Tinubu applauded the role of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in raising awareness which has led to a significant improvement in case finding and treatment coverage of the disease.
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 Tinubu, is fully committed to the fight against tuberculosis and achieving the goals outlined in the Political Declaration, alongside other national goals towards ensuring a healthier and more prosperous Nigeria”.
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The First Lady also charged wives of state governors, whom she decorated as TB Champions for their respective states to raise awareness further to ensure that the treatable disease is brought to the barest minimum.
She said, “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”.
To further drive home her commitment to the fight against TB, Senator Tinubu through the Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI donated N1bn to the course.
She said, “I 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”.
“Starting from now, let us work together by showing compassion, and understanding to end stigma and discrimination”.
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 healthcare sector but all Nigerians.
He said that the success should be sustained because of the evidence of the great political will demonstrated by the administration of President Tinubu.
In her remarks, the Executive Director of Global Stop TB Partnership, Geneva, Dr Lucica Ditiu appealed to Nigeria to mobilize domestic resources to address the scourge.
“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 commended the leadership role of the First Lady, especially for taking the lead in health-related issues.
She also commended the leadership of the Health Ministry, saying the men at the helm of affairs are the appropriate ones for the job.
After the investiture of the First Lady as the Global and National Stop TB Champion, she also decorated the wives of State Governors as State Champions of Stop TB.
Also present at the event were former First Ladies and wives of former Vice Presidents among others.
