First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Donates 10,000 Sanitary Pads to Schoolgirls in Kogi

The wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has donated 10,000 disposable sanitary pads to schoolgirls in Kogi State under her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).

Mrs Tinubu distributed the pads on Wednesday in Lokoja during the launch of her “Flow With Confidence” initiative, a programme designed to empower schoolgirls across the country through menstrual health education and the provision of sanitary products.

Represented by the wife of the Kogi State Governor, Sefinat Ododo, the First Lady disclosed that the broader initiative includes the donation of 370,000 disposable sanitary pads to girls in rural communities across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

She explained that the programme aims to address the challenges many girls face in accessing sanitary products, challenges that often lead to school absenteeism and dropouts.

“Today, I am handing over 10,000 disposable sanitary pads to Kogi State’s First Lady, for distribution to 10,000 girls in rural areas – each getting a year’s supply,” she said. “We believe that no girl should ever have to choose between her dignity or her education.”

Mrs Tinubu added that the Renewed Hope Initiative has spent N2.55 billion to procure sanitary pads from a local manufacturer, with the products set to reach 370,000 schoolgirls in rural communities.

She urged stakeholders to support the programme and commended Governor Ahmed Ododo and his wife for their efforts in empowering the girl-child in the state.

Speaking at the event, Grace Afolabi of the Federal Ministry of Health emphasised the need for parents to educate their children on menstrual hygiene and called on the government to invest more in menstrual health.

The state Commissioner for Education, Wemi Jones, described the programme as “a movement to restore dignity, build confidence, and ensure no girl is left behind due to menstruation.” He thanked the First Lady and the governor’s wife for the initiative.

The State Coordinator of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment Project, Tijani Oricha, said the event represented “a strong statement of commitment to dignity, inclusion, and uninterrupted education for every girl child.”

The Head Girl of GYB Model Science Secondary School, Adankolo, Goodnews Shiloba, spoke on behalf of the students and commended the First Lady for the initiative.

The “Flow With Confidence” initiative also called on corporate organisations and government agencies to support the programme in order to reach and empower more girls across the country.