Traditional rulers key to ending FGM, HIV — Oluremi Tinubu
…commissions ICT centre in Ibadan
By Kunle Sanni
First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called on traditional rulers and community leaders to intensify efforts in eradicating Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), HIV/AIDS, syphilis, and hepatitis in their domains, stressing their vital role in combating these public health issues.
Speaking during a meeting with the Oyo State Council of Traditional Rulers in Ibadan, the First Lady expressed concern over the continued prevalence of FGM in the South West, attributing it to deep-rooted cultural norms that require firm action from traditional institutions.
“The role of our traditional rulers is pivotal. With their cooperation, we can eliminate harmful practices like FGM and ensure greater awareness about HIV/AIDS and other diseases among our youth,” she stated.
Following the meeting, Senator Tinubu inaugurated a Community ICT Centre at the Oladipo Alayande School of Science, Oke Bola, Ibadan.
The project was established through a partnership between the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and her Renewed Hope Initiative to promote digital literacy among women and young people.
Emphasizing the importance of digital inclusion, the First Lady noted, “This centre is part of our efforts to equip more Nigerians, especially women and girls, with the tools to succeed in a digital economy.” She added that it is the third of such centres, with a fourth expected to be launched soon in Benue State.
Other operational centres are located in Cross River, Ebonyi, Jigawa, Niger, Oyo, and the FCT, with 10 more in progress across states including Lagos, Kano, and Edo.
Governor Seyi Makinde, who joined the inauguration, hailed the initiative’s potential in driving digital innovation and unlocking non-oil economic opportunities. Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, also encouraged beneficiaries to leverage the facility for globally competitive skills.
NITDA Director General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, revealed that ICT training has been integrated into national school curricula to support President Bola Tinubu’s vision of bridging Nigeria’s digital divide.
