NIGERIA: First Lady Unveils 2025 Plans For Renewed Hope Initiative

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria

Nigerian First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, has outlined her vision for women and youth empowerment in 2025 under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).

The vision focuses on hygiene, environmental sustainability, and economic support for vulnerable groups.

Speaking at the first-quarter high-level meeting of RHI in Abuja, she emphasized her commitment to improving the well-being of young girls through the Flow in Confidence initiative, which will distribute 370,000 cartons of sanitary towels nationwide. Each state, including the Federal Capital Territory, will receive 10,000 cartons, prioritizing rural communities.

“I want every girl who attends the launch to receive a carton,” she urged the governors’ wives.

The first lady explained that while reusable sanitary pads exist, concerns over improper sanitation influenced the decision to provide disposable options, which will be produced in Lagos and Abuja factories.

Addressing environmental concerns, the First Lady announced a partnership between RHI and the Federal Ministry of Environment to tackle Nigeria’s plastic waste crisis. She unveiled plans to establish Environment Climate Change Clubs in secondary schools and Environment Climate Change Societies in tertiary institutions to promote sustainability among young Nigerians.

“We are working on this and will roll out the programs soon,” she assured.

Additionally, the First Lady introduced an RHI Social Investment Programme to support persons with disabilities (PWDs) engaged in business. Under this scheme, 250 PWDs per state will receive a N200,000 grant to expand their ventures.

Mrs. Tinubu commended the contributions of governors’ wives to the initiative’s success and encouraged them to continue supporting governance efforts.

“As wives, we complement our husbands’ work, and by helping them, we are also helping ourselves and our people,” she stated.