…as Oluremi Tinubu launches “Flow with Confidence” menstrual hygiene programme in Uyo
No fewer than 10,000 school girls in Akwa Ibom State are set to benefit from free sanitary pads under the “Flow with Confidence” menstrual hygiene programme of the Renewed Hope Initiative, launched in Uyo by Nigeria’s First Lady and National Chairman of the organisation, Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking during the launch at Government House, Uyo, Senator Tinubu described the initiative as a vital intervention aimed at promoting menstrual hygiene, preserving dignity and supporting the education of girls, stressing that no girl should miss school because she cannot afford sanitary pads.
Represented by the Renewed Hope Initiative Coordinator in Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, the First Lady noted that many school girls across Nigeria still face challenges during menstruation, with some resorting to unsafe alternatives while others stay away from school entirely, affecting their academic performance and future opportunities.
She disclosed that the Renewed Hope Initiative has distributed a one-year supply of disposable sanitary pads to 370,000 school girls in rural communities across the country, with each state, including the Federal Capital Territory, receiving 10,000 packs for onward distribution.
Senator Tinubu explained that disposable sanitary pads were selected for the programme because they are hygienic and offer better reproductive health benefits, reaffirming the organisation’s commitment to restoring dignity to young girls and helping them remain in school.
She also called on local government chairmen to take ownership of the intervention and ensure the sanitary pads reach girls in rural communities, warning that the items are not to be sold under any circumstances.
The First Lady further appealed to corporate organisations, government agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders and community stakeholders to support and monitor the distribution process to ensure transparency and effectiveness. She encouraged beneficiaries to remain focused on their education, reject stigma associated with menstruation and make proper use of the products provided.
Earlier, the RHI Focal Person in Akwa Ibom State, Mrs Emem Orok, said the programme was designed to equip girls with knowledge on self-care and proper menstrual hygiene management during adolescence, adding that healthy habits would help them grow into confident and dignified future leaders.
A resource person at the event, Mrs Iniobong Josiah, educated participants on personal hygiene and healthy living, with emphasis on menstrual health, proper use of sanitary pads and the importance of maintaining cleanliness during menstruation.
In her welcome address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Inibehe Silas Etukudo, described Senator Tinubu as a mother deeply committed to the welfare, wellbeing and empowerment of the girl child across Nigeria.
Also speaking, the President of WALGON, Mrs Akaninyene Udo, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Lady Emem Ibanga, and the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ubong Umoh, commended Senator Tinubu and Lady Obareki for championing an initiative they described as a bold step toward restoring dignity, building confidence and improving the wellbeing of adolescent girls, especially in rural communities.
On behalf of the beneficiaries, Janet Samuel, a student of Government Secondary Commercial School, Ikot Nya in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area, expressed appreciation for the intervention, saying it had equipped her and other girls with valuable knowledge on personal hygiene, menstrual health and self-confidence.
The “Flow with Confidence” programme is part of the Renewed Hope Initiative education framework and focuses on providing sanitary products and menstrual health awareness to girls in rural communities across Nigeria.
By; Ikechukwu Agbamebue, Uyo.
