Wife of the President, Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday, called on the traditional rulers in the South-West and other stakeholders in the region to join hands together to reduce the death rate arising from cervical cancer, Tuberculosis and other deadly diseases.

She gave this advice during an enlarged stakeholders meeting, which had in attendance the traditional rulers, top government functionaries, captains of industries and other categories of people drawn from the zone in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Tinubu explained that deaths arising from deadly diseases are preventable if necessary precautionary measures are taken by the relevant stakeholders.

She said eradication of the diseases should be the primary concern of all Nigerians. As a result, all hands must be on deck to checkmate it.

“Shortly after we were sworn in, we started putting things together, and we had a meeting with all the First Ladies of State and look at the way we are going to come up with initiatives that will benefit our people.

“I am the global champion for #Stop TB, and Tuberculosis Advocacy Campaign, end Tuberculosis Advocacy Campaign because we have to end tuberculosis in Nigeria by 2030. So, please, the government is treating those who have it, and, you know, there is no stigma to it.

“Because Tuberculosis is airborne. So, once you have been infected, please get tested. Because you can pass it on to other people who are not vaccinated.”

In his remarks, the state governor, Seyi Makinde, said, “The traditional rulers in the region are reliable and dependable. If you need any feedback from them, be rest assured of their sincere response, they are an important part of governance in the state.”

In his goodwill message, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, said Tinubu’s visit was a testament to the Federal Government’s commitment to the development of the state.

He said the Renewed Hope Initiative by the wife of the President would be of benefit to the people, not only in the state but the entire region as a whole.

Also in his address, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, said he is proud of Tinubu for being a pillar of support behind the President.

The monarch commended her programme for touching millions of lives across the nation, saying the initiative has complemented the efforts of President Bola Tinubu.

Meanwhile, the wife of the president has commissioned a multi-million naira ICT Centre located at Oladipo Alayande School of Science, Oke-Ado in Ibadan, which is named after the former Minister of Trade, Chief (Mrs) Onikepo Akande.

Speaking during the commissioning, Tinubu said, “My programme is not political,

because we are all Nigerians and as I said, the positions will come and go. And they will ask you what you did for your people when you are in a position of authority?

“All our programmes are people-centred and we are not biased. It’s not favourable for one party over the other. We always make sure we all come together to choose what is next. We have been flexible. Ten additional digital economic centres in Abia, Delta, Edo, Kano, Katsina, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ondo, Yobe and Zamfara are ready for commissioning soon.

“Therefore, today’s commissioning presents us with another opportunity under the mandate of the Ministry of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy to further expand digital access to our citizens by providing the communities with the resources they require to develop ICT skills.

“This centre we are commissioning today is the third, and by the grace of God, the fourth, which is located in Benue State, will soon be ready for commissioning. All other digital economic centres have been fully equipped with computers and ICT materials in five states, namely Cross River, Ebonyi, Jigawa, Oyo, and the Federal Capital Territory.

“This is in line with the priority area of Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu to accelerate economy diversification through industrialisation and digitalization.”

While commending the contribution of Akande to the national development, Tinubu
urged members of the community to take full ownership of the centre, adding that “the success of this centre depends on your active participation and utilization of the resources available.”

In his remarks, Governor Makinde thanked the wife of the president for bringing the ICT centre to Ibadan.

“It is one for the geo-political zone, I would have thought you would take it to Lagos or Osun but thank you for bringing it to this state.”

He, therefore, assured her that the government and the people of the state would take full advantage of the project.

In attendance at the two events were the wife of the Vice President, Nana Shentima, the wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Fatimah Abass, the Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, the wife of the governor, and members of the Renewed Hope Initiative.

Others were the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Owoade, the Ooni of Ile Ife, Oba Ogunwusi, the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Olaoye Ghandi, representatives of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oba Sefiu Oyebola, and the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, among others.