Nigeria's First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, launched the Free to Shine Campaign , an initiative by the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development, aimed at combating HIV and syphilis infections and safeguarding the health of women and children in Nigeria. The event took place at the Kwara State Government Banquet Hall in Ilorin during her three-day visit to the state.

In a bid to foster collaboration and strengthen ties with key stakeholders, the event featured several speakers who discussed the challenges faced by Nigerians and proposed potential solutions.

Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, praised Tinubu for her efforts in initiating the campaign. In her address, the First Lady emphasised that everyone has a crucial role to play in the fight against HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis.

She said, “I have decided to advocate for the triple elimination of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis by 2030. This campaign would be held across the six geopolitical zones of the nation.”

She added that the campaign would reduce the number of new HIV infections among women of reproductive age, prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV, and guarantee that every child born with HIV received the necessary treatment and support.

Some of the state first ladies present at the event were Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Bamidele Abiodun (Ogun), Chioma Uzodimma (Imo), Titilola Adeleke, (Osun), Olayemi Oyebanji (Ekiti), Hafsat Buni (Yobe), among others.