The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has pushed for a renewed commitment to the fight against tuberculosis, particularly at the state level.
During her investiture as the Global and National Stop TB Champion at the State House Abuja, the First Lady of Nigeria made the statement.
Senator 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 set forth in the Political Declaration, alongside other national goals towards ensuring a healthier and more prosperous Nigeria”.
The First Lady also charged wives of state governors, who she 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.
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 of TB, Senator Tinubu through the Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI made a donation of N1billion 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, 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 health care 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 for the purpose of addressing 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 by taking the lead in health related issues.
She also praised the Health Ministry’s leadership, stating that the men in charge are the right people for the job.
Following the First Lady’s investiture as the Global and National Stop TB Champion, she also presented State Governors’ wives with the title of State Champions of Stop TB.
Former First Ladies and the spouses of former vice presidents were among the guests at the function.