AFRICAN FIRST LADIES URGED TO LEAD FIGHT AGAINST MPOX ON THE CONTINENT
…As OAFLAD Holds Summit on the Sidelines of the 79th UNGA
The Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) has intensified its continent-wide campaign for gender equity through the #WeAreEqual initiative. This was highlighted at the side-event summit of African First Ladies during the ongoing 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Several First Ladies, including Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, shared their experiences since the launch of the #WeAreEqual campaign a year ago, noting that the summit will further shape Africa’s future.
“In Nigeria, I am driving the campaign through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), which focuses on five key areas: Economic Empowerment, Social Investment, Agriculture, Health, and Education. All of these align with my husband’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” stated Nigeria’s First Lady. She also highlighted the launch of the Young Farmers Club, Nigeria, in primary and secondary schools to encourage youth involvement in agriculture from an early age.
Senator Tinubu emphasized that the nation is actively addressing the state of emergency on food security declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. She noted that the RHI is also organizing the Every Home a Garden competition, with prize money for the winner to be announced in December 2024.
Reflecting on her past teaching experience, Nigeria’s First Lady shared, “When I was teaching in high school, I saw some of my brightest students drop out due to early pregnancies. But I also realized they can still be given a second chance.”
She added that the RHI is seeing positive results, especially in the areas of girl-child education and health, thanks to ongoing collaborations.
During the panel discussion, featuring representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and other partners, the growing concern of Mpox (Monkeypox) was raised. African First Ladies were urged to lead the charge against the disease, which is becoming a global epidemic.
The session also spotlighted President Joe Biden’s commitment to the cause, with the U.S. donating 1 million doses of the Mpox vaccine to Africa, alongside an additional $500 million to combat the disease across the continent.
OAFLAD also presented an award of appreciation to Senator Oluremi Tinubu and four other First Ladies for their successful and impactful launch of the #WeAreEqual campaign in their respective countries. To date, 18 African countries have launched the campaign, with the summit theme being Amplifying Change Through Collaboration.
