First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has officially launched the distribution of professional kits to midwives across the North-West geopolitical zone.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Renewed Hope Initiative, took place in Kaduna State, with the First Ladies of all seven North-West states in attendance.
Highlighting the vital role of midwives in improving healthcare outcomes, Tinubu emphasised that ‘the demands of the health profession go beyond mere skills and compassion, noting that the right tools and infrastructure are also needed.’
She commended the relentless efforts of midwives and the healthcare workforce, reaffirming their importance in reducing maternal and child mortality in Nigeria.
According to a Monday statement, this move will significantly boost maternal and child healthcare in Nigeria.
The statement signed by the SSA Media to the First Lady of Nigeria, Busola Kukoyi was also shared on X.
‘I am honoured to officially flag off the distribution of 10,000 Professional Kits to Midwives in the North-West States, namely Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara, with Kaduna State being the Chief Host today,’ she announced.
‘This event is to complement the ongoing Federal Government retraining exercise for 120,000 frontline health workers nationwide.
‘I am informed that 59,570 health workers have already completed their training and that is why the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) procured 60,000 branded scrubs and 60,000 pairs of crocs, as an incentive to encourage and support the tireless dedication of our Midwives.’
Tinubu further urged Nigerians to appreciate and encourage healthcare professionals for their unwavering dedication, particularly those in leadership roles.
‘I commend the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, CON, the Executive Director and CEO of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Muyi Aina, and their entire workforce for their dedicated focus on improving healthcare delivery for our citizens as an important pillar of development, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,’ the statement read.
The initiative extends beyond the North-West, with the distribution set to reach all six geopolitical zones.
‘All six geopolitical zones will receive 10,000 scrubs and 10,000 pairs of crocs, which will be distributed among the states in each zone.
‘The North-Central Zone received its allocation on the 29th of January, 2025, during my three-day working visit to Kwara State. Today, we are in Kaduna to distribute the kits to the North-West Zone. By the grace of God, the next zone to benefit will be the South-South,’ Tinubu added.
Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sani hailed the initiative, describing it as a reflection of the government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery.
‘The nation is currently witnessing great transformation in the health sector that is gradually but consciously improving life expectancy and other outcomes in the sector,’ he said.
Similarly, Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammed Ali Pate, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to closing gaps in healthcare access, especially for pregnant women and mothers.
He emphasized that initiatives like this are instrumental in bringing Nigeria’s healthcare system closer to global standards.
‘The Federal Government has concluded arrangements to make treatments free, and we urge beneficiaries to focus on improving the services they render, ensuring that any complications during birth are referred to the appropriate hospitals,’ he noted.
In addition to the distribution of professional kits, the event also served as an avenue for economic empowerment.
Senator Tinubu, through the RHI, announced grants of N50,000 each to 1,000 women petty traders, recognizing the economic impact of supporting women entrepreneurs.
‘Empowering a woman is empowering not just the household, but the nation as a whole,’ she stated, before presenting a cheque of N50 million to the Wife of the Kaduna State Governor, Hajia Hafsatu Uba Sani, for onward disbursement to the beneficiaries.
