The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, yesterday launched the “Flow With Confidence” nationwide distribution of menstrual hygiene packs
The initiative was designed to support schoolgirls and promote menstrual health across the country.
At the launch of the initiative in Gombe State, Mrs. Tinubu described the intervention as vital to empowering young girls by “promoting knowledge, dignity, and confidence” through improved menstrual hygiene.
In a statement by her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi, the First Lady said: “In today’s modern world, no girl should have to miss school because of her inability to afford sanitary products.
“It is unacceptable that our girls still continue to face significant challenges during their menstrual cycle, especially those in rural communities, who miss school days every month because they cannot afford sanitary pads.”
Mrs. Tinubu noted that many schoolgirls resort to unsafe alternatives or stay at home, causing them to lag behind academically and, in some cases, drop out of school.
She said the programme, under the Education framework of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), is meant to end this trend.
According to her, all states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will each receive 10,000 packs of disposable sanitary pads through State First Ladies and RHI coordinators, targeting vulnerable schoolgirls in rural communities.
“Today, I will be handing over 10,000 packs of disposable sanitary pads to the First Lady of Gombe State for distribution to 10,000 deserving girls in rural communities across the state. Each beneficiary will receive a one-year supply of the pads,” the First Lady promised.
She urged traditional rulers, religious and community leaders to ensure the supplies reach the intended beneficiaries.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, and Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, pledged federal support to scale up the initiative so that more girls in underserved areas could benefit from the initiative.
Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya hailed the First Lady for the initiative, as well as her interventions in health, agriculture, economic empowerment and education.
Mrs. Tinubu had opened the maiden Gombe State Health Summit, where she emphasised that health should be viewed as a driver of economic prosperity, social development, and national growth.
During her two-day visit to Gombe State, the First Lady was also honoured with the traditional title of Sarauniya Yakin Kumo (Queen Warrior of Kumo) by the Emir of Akko, Alhaji Umaru Muh’d Atiku, in recognition of her contributions to national development.
