The wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has launched the distribution of sanitary pads worth N2.5 billion to schoolgirls in rural areas across Nigeria.
The programme, tagged “Flow with Confidence”, was launched on Thursday at the State House, Alausa, Ikeja, under her Renewed Hope Initiative. About 370,000 girls in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory will benefit.
Speaking at the event, Senator Tinubu, represented by the wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, said the initiative was aimed at tackling menstrual health problems that force many girls out of school.
“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,” she said.
She explained that many girls resort to unsafe alternatives or miss classes, which leads to poor academic performance and sometimes school dropouts.
“We will be distributing a one-year supply of disposable sanitary pads to 370,000 schoolgirls in rural communities across the nation. All states and the FCT will receive 10,000 packs each. For us at the Renewed Hope Initiative, no girl should ever have to choose between her dignity and her education,” she added.
The distribution was also flagged off in Borno, Cross River, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Kebbi and Lagos states, with other states set to begin once their supplies arrive.
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Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, represented by Permanent Secretary Abisola Adegbite, praised the project. He said it showed the First Lady’s concern for the girl-child, especially in rural communities.
Meanwhile, in Adamawa State, a non-governmental organisation, Hope for Her Foundation, also distributed 2,500 reusable menstrual pads to schoolgirls in Yola-South and Fufore LGAs.
The founder, Dr. Asmau Ribadu, said the project was to reduce stigma and absenteeism linked to menstrual health.
“Most girls that cannot afford pads stop going to school to avoid embarrassment. Poor menstrual health management negatively impacts girls’ education through absenteeism, poor concentration, and reduced participation in class,” she said.
She noted that the reusable pads could last between six months and two years.
Guest speaker, Hajiya Fatima Abubakar, commended the NGO for supporting girl-child education. Also, the Adamawa State Chairperson of FIDA, Jamila Babuba, described the foundation as “the hope of womanhood in Nigeria,” urging private sector support to expand its reach nationwide.