Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, visited Enugu on Saturday to distribute 10,000 kits to midwives and nurses in the South-East.
The event took place at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, and drew attendance from eight First Ladies, as well as wives of ministers and federal security heads.
Mrs Tinubu explained that this marked the final phase of a national exercise to support frontline health workers. According to her, the Federal Government has trained over 60,000 of the 120,000 targeted health workers across the country.
She said, “Since the initial launch in January 2025, we have distributed 50,000 scrubs and 50,000 pairs of Crocs to five geopolitical zones—namely North Central, North East, North West, South-South and the South-West.”
She added that the distribution in Enugu wrapped up the campaign with 10,000 scrubs and 10,000 Crocs now ready for midwives in the South-East.
“The RHI recognises that the demands of the health profession require not only skill and compassion but also the right tools and kits to encourage our midwives as they serve others.”
She officially handed over the kits to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, which will oversee distribution to midwives across the zone.
Support for Petty Traders in Enugu
In addition to the medical kits, Mrs Tinubu announced a ₦50 million grant to help women traders in Enugu State. Each of the 1,000 selected petty traders will receive ₦50,000 to boost their businesses.
“In the spirit of today’s event, the Renewed Hope Initiative will be presenting an additional grant of ₦50 million to the First Lady of Enugu State,” she said.
This financial support is part of the Renewed Hope Initiative’s broader plan to improve lives across Nigeria through economic empowerment and health sector investment.
State Government Responds to Brain Drain in Healthcare
Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, welcomed Mrs Tinubu and praised her contribution. He said the kits would boost morale and trust in the healthcare system.
He also spoke about the state’s efforts to solve the problem of brain drain in the sector.
“In response to the brain drain that has strained our healthcare workforce, we have taken decisive steps. Key among these is the successful elevation of our School of Nursing to collegiate status,” the governor said.
He explained that the Enugu State College of Nursing Sciences, with four campuses, can now produce 3,000 nurses each year.
“This is not just a statistic. It is a strategy — a bold stride towards rebuilding the backbone of our healthcare system,” he said.
Wives of Top Officials Attend and Praise the Initiative
Those present included the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima; wife of the Deputy Senate President, Hajiya Laila Barau; First Ladies of Imo, Abia, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Bayelsa, Borno and Jigawa states; and the Special Adviser to the Governor of Benue State on Women Affairs.
In her speech, Mrs Nkechinyere Mbah, wife of the Enugu State governor, thanked the First Lady for her consistent efforts.
“Renewed Hope Initiative has significantly impacted countless lives across our nation’s diverse geopolitical zones,” she said.
“Here in Enugu State, we are profoundly grateful for the transformative outcomes of the Renewed Hope Initiative,” she added.
Later that same day, at Michael Okpara Square in Enugu, food palliatives were distributed to vulnerable residents. Mrs Tinubu was represented at the event by the Vice President’s wife, Hajiya Nana Shettima.
The food outreach aimed to bring some relief to struggling households and was part of the broader support plan under the Renewed Hope Initiative.
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