By Okerafor Athanasius, Jalingo
President Bola Tinubu’s wife, Senator Oluremi, has flagged off a health advocacy campaign tagged ‘Free to Shine Campaign’ in Taraba State, North-East Nigeria.
Performing the ceremony at the gym hall of the Jolly Nyame stadium in Jalingo,the state capital, Mrs Tinubu said the campaign encapsulated the elimination of mother-to-child human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) transmission and treatment of children born with HIV/AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).
According to the Nigeria First Lady, the campaign is a triple elimination of HIV/AIDS, Syphilis and Hepatitis among youths and women of reproductive age.
Explaining that the campaign will cover the country’s six geopolitical zones, Sen. Tinubu stressed that the Jalingo leg of the campaign covers the North-East.
She said that the inclusion of traditional and religious leaders in the advocacy was to ensure sensitization of the campaign gets to the grassroots.
The First Lady expressed the determination of the Federal Government (FG) to reduce HIV/AIDS to the barest minimum nationwide and encouraged Nigerians not to panic as FG has made adequate provision for the availability of HIV drugs and test kits.
Earlier, Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State commended the FG for the campaign.
Kefas expressed his administration’s commitment to fight the HIV/AIDS scourge and make Taraba HIV/AIDS-free by 2030.
The governor appointed two Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) who, at the event, gave testimonies about their lives as carriers, as Special Advisers (SAs) to the Wife of the State Governor.
In a remark, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Mohammed Pate, said the FG has budgeted about N200 billion for HIV drugs.
Meanwhile, Chairman of Ardo-Kola Local Government Area (LGA) of Taraba State, Hon. Ismail Zakari Dangote, has showered praises on Gov. Kefas.
Dangote, who made his position known through a telephone conversation with our correspondent in Jalingo, said Gov. Kefas always recognized the less privileged persons and vulnerable persons in the State.
According to him, the appointment bestowed on two PLWHAs in the State is a testament to Gov. Kefas’ humanitarian makeup and service to mankind.
Dangote, who described the Governor’s gesture as a remarkable achievement, called on the people of the State to stop stigmatizing the vulnerable in society, especially PLWHAs.
Hon. Dangote further congratulated Gov. Kefas and the people of the State for contributing immensely towards ensuring that Senator Tinubu’s visit was successful.
“Yes, the occasion was very peaceful and successful. Taraba people came out in large numbers to welcome President Tinubu’s wife to the State.
“I want to congratulate our talk and do Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, for always finding positive ways of resolving issues that have to do with the health of the people of the State.
“The people of the State are not left out in my appreciation because they supported Governor Kefas and the government of the State, hence the peaceful and successful outing and reception in honour of the First Lady and the dignitaries that accompanied her to the State”, he said.
Dangote also noted the presence of traditional rulers and religious leaders during the visit, pointing out that such high profile presence was a result of the governor’s style of leadership.
