First Lady completes working visit, donates N350m to film factory in Ilorin

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, concluded her three-day working visit to Kwara State on Thursday with a tour of the Garment Factory, one of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s signature projects and the largest of its kind in the country.

During her visit, she engaged with the factory workers, encouraging them to take full advantage of the Governor’s vision by working diligently.

“What your Governor has done is to create opportunities for enterprise and productive engagement of youths and women. I want you to work hard and become successful. I am here to encourage you to make this a huge success for yourselves and for your state,” she said in Yoruba.

She later gave each of the hundreds of workers a stipend of N20,000 for their lunch.

Her aircraft departed from the General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport at exactly 2:22 p.m., followed shortly by the wife of the Vice President, Nana Shettima, and other members of her entourage.

The third day of her visit commenced with the launch of the Free to Shine Campaign, an initiative of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), aimed at mobilizing support to end new HIV infections and protect children and women.

The first two days were dedicated to inaugurating various landmark projects of the AbdulRazaq administration, leading the groundbreaking ceremony for another, and inspecting several others.

Some of these projects included an ultramodern Intensive Care Unit, Dr. Amuda Aluko Ward, General Tunde Idiagbon Flyover, and Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari Flyover. The First Lady also attended a dinner at the remodeled Flower Garden, an event symbolizing the Governor’s efforts to revamp state facilities.

On Tuesday, she launched an ICT Community Centre, executed by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in collaboration with her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).

On Wednesday, she flagged off the construction of the Oluremi Tinubu Hospital, a major government project, and toured the Ilorin Innovation Hub, an imposing facility that has already attracted key partnerships from tech giant IHS Towers and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The First Lady also visited the Sugar Factory Film Studio, where she commended the Governor for his transformative agenda and pledged a donation of N350 million to support the production of a movie inspired by local cultural heritage and values.

Speaking at the Free to Shine event, Tinubu emphasized that the campaign aims to significantly reduce new HIV infections among women of reproductive age, prevent mother-to-child transmission, and ensure that every child born with HIV receives the necessary treatment and support.

She noted that Nigeria bears the highest burden of HIV spread in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly among youths, women, and children, adding that the country’s growing population is a contributing factor.

“To complement the Free to Shine campaign, I have also decided to advocate for the triple elimination of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis. This campaign will be implemented across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria,” she stated.

Governor AbdulRazaq, in his remarks, commended the First Lady for championing the OAFLAD Free to Shine Campaign to end new infections in children and ensure maternal health.

“Three days ago, we received reports of a significant shift in global HIV/AIDS policies and funding. This change will have far-reaching effects on Africa, and we must act swiftly to minimize its impact on millions of Africans living with HIV,” he said.

The Governor pledged the support of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) to raise awareness, mobilize resources, and ensure that people living with HIV receive the care they need for a healthy, productive life.

He also praised the First Lady for donating N350 million to support the Sugar Factory Film Studio, describing it as a testament to her passion for promoting cultural values through film.

Kwara State First Lady, Ambassador Olufolake AbdulRazaq, lauded the Free to Shine campaign as a strategic initiative to co-lead a continental effort to end new HIV infections in children and protect maternal health. She commended OAFLAD and the African Union for their commitment to this cause.

She also acknowledged the significant contributions of African First Ladies, particularly Nigeria’s First Lady, in raising awareness and securing political commitment for HIV/AIDS response and broader health and development efforts.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammed Ali Pate, highlighted the Tinubu administration’s substantial investments in testing and treatment for HIV/AIDS, syphilis, and hepatitis.

He stated that at least 1.5 million HIV/AIDS patients in Nigeria are currently receiving treatment, noting that this marks significant progress compared to the early 2000s.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, emphasized that the Free to Shine campaign aligns with the 2022-2030 Global Health Strategies, which include 78 resolutions from member states.

For the elimination of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis, comprehensive prevention, testing, and treatment services for women, children, and families must be prioritized, Pate added.

The UNICEF Country Representative, Ms. Cristian Munduate, commended Nigeria’s dedication to HIV/AIDS elimination and pledged continued support and strong partnerships to eradicate the disease, particularly in preventing mother-to-child transmission.