Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has urged traditional rulers and other critical stakeholders across the South-West region to join hands with the Federal Government in the fight against preventable diseases such as cervical cancer and tuberculosis. She made the call in Ibadan on Tuesday during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting that brought together first-class traditional rulers, public officials, business leaders, and community figures from across the zone.
Addressing the gathering, Mrs. Tinubu emphasized that illnesses such as cervical cancer and tuberculosis continue to claim lives unnecessarily due to a lack of awareness, early diagnosis, and access to medical treatment. She noted that concerted efforts by all arms of society are needed to reverse the trend and save countless lives.
“Right after our swearing-in, we convened a meeting with all State First Ladies to brainstorm on initiatives that would genuinely benefit Nigerians,” she said. “As the global champion for the #StopTB Campaign, I am committed to ensuring that we end tuberculosis in Nigeria by 2030. This disease is airborne, and people should not wait until it’s too late. Early testing and treatment are available and free of stigma, so we must encourage our people to speak up and seek help.”
Governor Seyi Makinde, who welcomed the First Lady to the Oyo State capital, acknowledged the critical role traditional rulers play in grassroots mobilisation and policy implementation. According to the governor, their engagement is key to achieving the kind of behavioural change required to win the battle against health-related threats in communities.
In his goodwill message, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, hailed Mrs. Tinubu’s visit as a demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive development and grassroots outreach. He noted that the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative is already touching lives across the state and the entire region.
Similarly, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, praised Senator Tinubu for her unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and for championing people-driven programmes that have brought succour to communities nationwide. He affirmed that her interventions complement the broader governance agenda of the Federal Government.
In continuation of her outreach, Mrs. Tinubu also commissioned a state-of-the-art ICT Centre located at Oladipo Alayande School of Science, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. The facility, named in honour of former Minister of Trade, Chief (Mrs.) Onikepo Akande, is one of several digital hubs being delivered nationwide under the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative, in collaboration with the Ministry of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy.
Speaking during the commissioning, the First Lady clarified that her interventions were non-partisan, saying, “This programme is not political. We are all Nigerians, and when positions of power are gone, what matters is what you were able to do for your people while you had the chance. Our programmes are designed to benefit everyone, not based on political affiliation.”
She revealed that 10 additional digital economy centres located in Abia, Delta, Edo, Kano, Katsina, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ondo, Yobe, and Zamfara are also ready for commissioning, while a fourth ICT centre in Benue State will soon be unveiled. Fully equipped centres have already been delivered in five other states—Cross River, Ebonyi, Jigawa, Oyo, and the Federal Capital Territory.
“These projects support President Tinubu’s priority under the Renewed Hope Agenda to drive economic diversification through digitalisation and industrialisation,” she added.
Mrs. Tinubu further urged residents to take full ownership of the facility, stressing that its long-term impact depends on active use and community engagement. She encouraged local youths, students, and entrepreneurs to leverage the centre for skill acquisition, digital literacy, and job creation.
Governor Makinde, who also spoke at the commissioning, expressed appreciation to the First Lady for selecting Ibadan as the South-West beneficiary of the ICT Centre. “This centre could have gone to Lagos or Osun, but we’re grateful you chose Oyo State. Rest assured that both government and the people here will make the most of it,” he said.
Also present at the events were the wife of the Vice President, Nana Shettima; wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Fatimah Abbas; Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani; and the wife of the Oyo State Governor, Mrs. Tamunominini Makinde.
The programme was graced by prominent monarchs, including the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Owoade; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi; the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Olaoye Ghandi; representatives of the Olubadan of Ibadanland; the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Sefiu Oyebola; and the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, among others.
