First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu on Thursday launched the Flow with Confidence nationwide distribution of menstrual hygiene packs, a landmark initiative designed to support schoolgirls and promote menstrual health across the country.
Speaking at the launch in Gombe, 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”, she said.
The First Lady noted that many resort to unsafe alternatives or stay at home, causing them to fall 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.
Mrs. Tinubu disclosed that all states and the Federal Capital Territory would 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,” she announced, while urging traditional rulers, religious leaders 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, both pledged federal support to scale up the initiative so that more girls in underserved areas benefit.
Gombe Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, commended the First Lady for the programme, as well as her interventions in health, agriculture, economic empowerment and education.
Mrs. Tinubu declared open 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, 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.
