First Lady Oluremi Launches ‘Free To Shine’ Campaign To Combat HIV/AIDS In Taraba.
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Friday launched the ‘Free to Shine’ campaign in Taraba State, a bold initiative aimed at eradicating HIV/AIDS, syphilis, and hepatitis among women of reproductive age.
Speaking at the official flag-off ceremony in Jalingo, the First Lady explained that the campaign specifically targets women and young people, with a key focus on preventing mother-to-child transmission and providing access to treatment for children living with HIV.
“This campaign will be carried out across all six geopolitical zones, and what we are witnessing today marks the flag-off for the North-East zone,” Senator Tinubu stated. “We have deliberately included traditional and religious leaders in this initiative to help drive awareness to the grassroots.”
She reassured Nigerians of the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to reducing HIV/AIDS to the barest minimum, encouraging the public to remain calm. “The government has made adequate provisions for HIV testing kits and anti-retroviral drugs,” she added.
Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas, welcomed the initiative and praised the Federal Government for choosing Taraba to launch the campaign in the North-East. He reaffirmed his administration’s goal of eliminating HIV/AIDS in the state by the year 2030.
In a significant show of inclusion, Governor Kefas announced the appointment of two individuals living with HIV as Special Advisers to the Wife of the Governor, recognising their resilience and dedication to advocacy.
Also present at the event, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Mohammed Pate, revealed that the Federal Government has allocated N200 billion towards HIV medication in the 2025 supplementary budget, a major step forward in tackling the epidemic.
The ‘Free to Shine’ campaign is expected to play a transformative role in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against HIV/AIDS and related infections, especially among vulnerable and at-risk groups.
