First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has been appointed as an ambassador for the Merck Foundation’s “Merck More Than a Mother” campaign in Nigeria.
The Chairman, MERCK Foundation, Prof. Frank Strangenberg-Haverkanp, in the company of other team members, officially declared Mrs Tinubu as the ambassador during a visit to the State House on Wednesday.
He told the first lady to join hands with them to fulfil the vision of the organisation which he said focuses more on women empowerment.
“Nigeria is a very important country, the MERCK Foundation was set up in 2012 when I was still a chairman of a commercial organisation.
“Due to my love for Africa, we set up the organisation in order to give back to the society, the idea with the main focus on women.
“It gives young girls the opportunity to have a better life, to overcome the stigma of not having children,” he stated.
Dr Rasha Kelej, the Chief Executive Officer of the organisation earlier informed Mrs Tinubu that the group wants to establish a partnership with the first lady through her NGO, Renewed Hope Initiative.
Kelej said part of the organisation’s vision is on women empowerment, medical outreach, education programme specifically scholarship for girls.
She said the campaign of the organisation also included media training aimed at inspiring and educating young journalists on how to break the silence and be the voice of the voiceless.
“We emphasise on the importance of girls’ education, women empowerment, ending child marriage, at all levels through the MERCK Foundation.
Responding, Mrs Tinubu joyfully accepted the task with a promise to work with the group.
“I appreciate your impact in Africa and I will work for you, I feel honoured by your visit.
“I believe once you have an educated population, the country will grow in bounds,” she said. NAN
