On Monday, Nigeria’s First Lady and Senator Oluremi Tinubu committed ₦1 billion towards eradicating tuberculosis in Nigeria by the year 2030.
This contribution mirrors a comparable sum donated to the cause in March 2024, coinciding with her designation as both Global and National Stop-TB Champion.
“I wish to contribute an extra N1 billion from the Renewed Hope Initiative to combat tuberculosis in Nigeria,” stated Mrs. Tinubu during the 2025 World TB Day Community Outreach event held at the Sauka Village, located on Airport Road in Abuja.
The Senior Special Assistant for Media with the Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Busola Kukoyi, made this announcement in a statement released on Monday entitled, ‘Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI contributes N1 billion to bolster efforts against tuberculosis.’
She characterized the disease as a Public Health Crisis requiring immediate action, appealing to Nigerians to undergo testing and be aware of their Tuberculosis status.
The First Lady stated that eliminating TB by 2030 is a shared duty among government officials, traditional and religious figures, lawmakers, young people, medical professionals, entities from the private sector, NGOs, grassroots organizations, as well as international collaborators.
The data presented in the World Health Organization’s 2024 Global TB Report are concerning. In Nigeria, tuberculosis claims a life every seven minutes.
“This indicates that during our brief stay at this event, numerous additional lives could be lost if we fail to take swift and decisive action,” she stated.
Mrs. Tinubu contended that the widespread occurrence of tuberculosis in Nigeria is intolerable, and everyone needs to contribute their efforts to combat this preventable and treatable illness.
As the Ambassador for Global and National TB Control, I renew my pledge to tackle the epidemic of tuberculosis within our country.
I am committed to promoting greater financial investment and policy changes to enhance tuberculosis control initiatives, as well as rallying resources and collaborations to back TB awareness and treatment programs.
“I am committed to continuing the amplification of TB survivor voices and combating stigma and discrimination. Additionally, I pledge to guarantee that women, children, and marginalized communities receive equitable access to TB treatment,” she vowed.
The First Lady highlighted that the administration has focused on increasing TB testing and treatment facilities throughout Nigeria to guarantee free and readily available care for everyone. Additionally, they aim to bolster grassroots healthcare networks to better serve marginalized groups and improve financial support as well as collaborations to expand TB control initiatives.
For World Tuberculosis Day 2025, the First Lady stated in her personal message that eradicating TB can be achieved through “our collective action, funding effective strategies, and guaranteeing access to vital treatments for everyone requiring them.”
Today, on World Tuberculosis Day 2025, I stand with the international community in renewing our pledge to eradicate one of the globe’s most lethal contagious illnesses, tuberculosis.
Aligned with this year’s theme, ‘Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver,’ we are encouraged to understand that defeating tuberculosis becomes achievable when we join forces, commit resources to effective strategies, and guarantee access to vital treatments for everyone requiring them.
As the national and global champion for stopping tuberculosis, I embrace this role with profound personal dedication. The battle against TB isn’t merely a matter of policy; it’s deeply personal to me, as I’ve experienced the sorrow of losing a dear friend to the disease. This serves as a stark reminder that TB continues to pose a significant health risk, particularly when left unrecognized and unaddressed. We cannot afford to let additional lives be claimed by an illness that can both be prevented and cured.
She urged all Nigerians to treat tuberculosis with seriousness, stating, “Should you experience a continuous cough lasting over 14 days, unexpected weight reduction, night sweats, or fevers, kindly go to the closest healthcare center for complimentary TB screening and therapy. Tuberculosis can be cured, and prompt medical intervention preserves lives.”
In his earlier comments, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, stated that eliminating tuberculosis in Nigeria by 2030 is achievable, particularly since President Bola Tinubu has instructed the ministry to enhance the overall health and welfare of Nigerians.
In immediate reaction to the appeal from the Sapeyi of Garki, Dr. Usman Kupi, who requested a Primary Health Centre for the Sauka Community, the First Lady guaranteed their request would be fulfilled after having an urgent conversation with the Minister regarding the matter.
A health lecture covered the aspects of tuberculosis including its causes, symptoms, preventive measures, diagnostic methods, and treatments. Additionally, screening for the condition took place during the Community Outreach event.
The theme for World Tuberculosis Day 2025 is ‘Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, and Deliver,’ with the local slogan being ‘We Fit Do Am.’
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.
Syndigate.info
).