From Henry Ibya, Makurdi
First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu yesterday launched the Renewed Hope Initiative’s ‘Flow with Confidence’ programme in Makurdi, Benue State, targeting 10,000 schoolgirls in rural communities.
Speaking at the Government House, Makurdi, Mrs Tinubu said the intervention was designed to promote knowledge, dignity and confidence among girls through improved menstrual hygiene.
She noted that the programme had already been rolled out in other states and was extended to Benue, warning that no girl should miss school because she cannot afford sanitary products.
The first lady described as unacceptable, a situation where girls still face significant challenges during their menstrual cycle, especially those in rural communities who miss school days every month or resort to unsafe alternatives, pointing out that under her initiative, 370,000 schoolgirls across the country will receive a one-year supply of disposable sanitary pads.
She said each state and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, would get 10,000 packs for distribution through state first ladies and RHI coordinators.
In Benue, Tinubu handed over 10,000 packs for distribution to 10,000 girls in rural areas across the 23 local government areas, explaining that disposable pads were chosen for their hygiene and health benefits for reproductive well-being.
She called on local government chairmen to take ownership of the intervention and ensure that the supplies reach the intended beneficiaries, stressing that the pads must not be sold.
The first lady disclosed that the Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI, spent N2.55 billion to procure the customized pads from Uniglory Nigeria Limited in Ikorodu, Lagos State, and urged corporate organisations, agencies and well-meaning Nigerians to support the programme to reach more girls.
She also appealed to traditional, religious and community leaders to monitor the distribution in their communities and support girls to grow into responsible adults.
Mrs Tinubu urged the beneficiaries to stay in school, study hard and not allow stigma to affect their confidence, advising them to equally use the opportunity to pursue their dreams boldly as future leaders of the nation.
In her remarks, the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady in Benue State, Scholastica Ben- Sor expressed appreciation to the first lady for initiating the programme, promising to continue with the initiative to make sure that schoolgirls across the 23 local government areas have access to sanitary pads, especially those at the rural communities and the less privileged in the society.
She advised the beneficiaries to sustain what they have learnt concerning menstrual hygiene and charged wives of local government chairmen to adhere strictly to the intention of the first lady by distributing the sanitary pads to the needy.
Responding on behalf of beneficiaries, Miss Akor Olivia expressed appreciation to the first lady for the gesture.
She promised to share what she learnt from the programme with her peers, describing the experience as rewarding.
