Dare Babalola
The First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, has commended the registration of 14 million Nigerian children over the past two years, acknowledging it as a significant achievement in safeguarding the identity and rights of every child.
She expressed this commendation in a post on her X handle on Monday, following a meeting with the UNICEF Country Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Abdelatef, and her team, who updated her on progress made in birth registration nationwide last Friday.
According to the First Lady, UNICEF announced during the meeting that “in the past two years, the number of children whose births have been officially registered in Nigeria has risen significantly to 14 million.”
She described the achievement as a testament to the collective commitment to protecting children’s rights.
“This remarkable achievement reflects our collective commitment to safeguarding the identity and rights of every Nigerian child,” she said.
Tinubu expressed gratitude to development partners, the 36 State First Ladies, and other stakeholders for their commitment to promoting birth registration and child welfare initiatives across the country.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to our valued partners and to all the 36 State First Ladies and RHI Coordinators, as well as the FCT Coordinator, for their dedication and hard work in advancing this cause,” she stated.
The First Lady also commended stakeholders for the strides recorded in the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, cervical cancer, syphilis, hepatitis B, Female Genital Mutilation, and other diseases.
“I also commend you for the significant strides recorded in the elimination efforts against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, cervical cancer, syphilis, hepatitis B, Female Genital Mutilation, other Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), and vaccine-preventable diseases,” she added.
The First Lady urged continued collaboration and sustained action, expressing optimism that Nigeria could meet global health targets ahead of schedule.
She said, “These milestones demonstrate what we can accomplish through collaboration, commitment, and sustained action.
“Let us not relent. This commendation is an indication that when we work together with renewed determination, we can eliminate many of these diseases even before the 2030 global target. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
