Olushola Omogbehin
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has commenced nationwide distribution of 370,000 sanitary pads worth ₦2,550,297,150 to schoolgirls in rural communities across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja
The official launch which was held at the State House, Alausa, Lagos, was part of her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) project tagged “Flow with Confidence.”
Speaking during the event, Remi Tinubu who was represented by the wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, said the programme was a vital menstrual health intervention designed to empower school girls, especially in the rural communities.
The programme which was launched at the State House, Alausa, Ikeja and simultaneously with states like Borno, Cross River, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo and Kebbi had schoolgirls and government officials in attendance.
In her speech delivered by Sanwo-Olu’s wife, the First Lady said:
“In today’s modern world, no girl should have to miss school because of her inability to afford sanitary products. It is unacceptable that our girls still continue to face significant challenges during their menstrual cycle, especially those in rural communities, who miss school days every month because they cannot afford sanitary pads.
“Some who attend schools resort to using unsafe and unhygienic alternatives, while others stay at home altogether, falling behind in their studies and in some cases, eventually dropping out of school. This trend must end, and this intervention, under the education framework of the Renewed Hope Initiative, is aimed at doing just that.
“We will be distributing a one-year supply of disposable sanitary pads to 370,000 school girls in rural communities across the nation at the end of this programme.
“All states and the Federal Capital Territory will receive 10,000 packs each through the state’s first ladies and the RHI coordinators. This is to support our girls in rural communities and those who are unable to afford sanitary pads.
“We chose disposable sanitary pads because they offer a simple, hygienic option that offers better health benefits for a woman’s reproductive well-being. For us at the Renewed Hope Initiative, we believe that no girl should ever have to choose between her dignity and her education.”
She called on corporate organisations, agencies, and well-meaning Nigerians to support the initiative, while urging traditional, religious, and community leaders to help monitor the distribution.
