First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Flags Off Triple Elimination Campaign Against HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis In Taraba
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First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Flags Off Triple Elimination Campaign Against HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis In Taraba
Edesili Okpbeholo Anani Commends Health Initiative
By Adesuwa Ehimuan
In a bold step towards improving public health, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, officially flagged off the ‘Free to Shine’ Triple Elimination Campaign on April 11, 2025, at the Jolly Nyame Stadium in Jalingo, Taraba State.
The campaign targets the elimination of HIV/AIDS, Syphilis, and Hepatitis among women of reproductive age, aims to stop mother-to-child transmission, and provides free treatment for children born with HIV.
This vital initiative is a collaborative effort involving the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) and the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).
The second day of her visit to Taraba saw Mrs Edesili Okpbeholo Anani, Coordinator Office of the First Lady of Edo State along with First Ladies from other States joining Senator Oluremi Tinubu to show support and solidarity for the campaign’s launch in the North-East region of Nigeria.
In her address, Senator Tinubu stressed that the campaign will be roll out across all six geopolitical zones of the country, with Taraba marking the starting point for the North-East.
She noted the campaign’s emphasis on women, youth, and grassroots engagement, adding, “We are working closely with traditional and religious leaders to ensure no one is left behind.”
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, encouraged her fellow First Ladies to take the campaign back to their respective states and ensure it reaches the local government areas and grassroots communities.
Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State warmly welcomed the First Lady and praised the initiative. He reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to making Taraba HIV-free by the year 2030.
Professor Muhammad Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, revealed that the Federal Government has allocated ₦200 billion in the 2025 supplementary budget for HIV-related treatments, showcasing the seriousness of the campaign.
Mrs Edesili Okpbeholo Anani, Coordinator Office of the First Lady, Edo State in her remarks commended the health initiative, “health is wealth, when leaders invest in the health of their people, they secure a brighter future for the nation.”
The ‘Free to Shine’ initiative is part of a broader national strategy to reduced new infections, support those living with HIV, and eliminate transmission from mothers to their children. The campaign represents hope, healing, and a shared national responsibility.
Highlights of the event included a powerful overview of the campaign by Dr. Nardos Berhanu, Executive Secretary of OAFLAD, technical presentations on the progress of eliminating vertical transmission by Dr. B. Ade of NASCP, and inspiring goodwill messages from health leaders such as Dr. Temitope Ilori (NACA DG), Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo (WHO Country Representative), Dr. Leopold Zekeng (UNAIDS Country Director), and Ms. Cristian Munduate (UNICEF Country Representative).
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