First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, led a major healthcare empowerment event in Enugu yesterday, where 10,000 branded medical kits were handed over to midwives and nurses in the South East zone. The event, held at the International Conference Centre (ICC), marked the final phase of a nationwide campaign by the Renewed Hope Initiative(RHI), the First Lady’s flagship social empowerment programme.
Present at the ceremony were prominent dignitaries including the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima; wife of the Deputy Senate President, Hajiya Laila Barau; and First Ladies from across Nigeria including Imo, Lagos, Ogun, Abia, Borno, Jigawa, Osun, Bayelsa, and Benue States.
Senator Tinubu, while speaking at the event, revealed that this phase concludes a nationwide distribution of 60,000 branded scrubs and 60,000 pairs of Crocs, complementing a national training program that has already seen over 60,470 frontline health workers trained under the Federal Government’s health sector reform.
“The RHI recognises that the demands of the health profession require not only skill and compassion but also the right tools and kits to encourage our midwives as they serve others,” she said, as she officially handed over the kits to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency for further distribution within the South East.
Beyond the healthcare sector, Mrs. Tinubu also announced a ₦50 million grant aimed at empowering 1,000 female petty traders in Enugu State. Each beneficiary is to receive ₦50,000 to recapitalize and expand their small-scale businesses.
Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, lauded the First Lady’s initiative, calling it a “symbol of professionalism, respect, and restored confidence in healthcare delivery.” He highlighted efforts by his administration to combat brain drain, including the transformation of the state’s School of Nursing into a full-fledged college now capable of producing 3,000 nurses annually across four campuses.
Governor Mbah’s wife, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah, also praised the Renewed Hope Initiative, calling it a “lifeline” for many communities. “We are profoundly grateful for the transformative outcomes of the Renewed Hope Initiative here in Enugu,” she remarked.
In a parallel outreach event at Michael Okpara Square, the First Lady — represented by Hajiya Nana Shettima — oversaw the distribution of food items to vulnerable groups, further extending the RHI’s humanitarian impact.
