First Lady Oluremi Tinubu visited Maiduguri, Borno State, to show solidarity and provide financial support to 5,000 women affected by the recent flood disaster. The flood, which occurred on September 9th and 10th, 2024, displaced millions, left 80% of Maiduguri homeless, and caused widespread poverty, hunger, and starvation.
During her visit, Senator Tinubu announced a donation of N250 million to the Borno State Government, which will be distributed to the 5,000 women affected by the flood. This is in addition to her previous donation of N500 million, which was presented by the Wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Nana Fatima Kashim Shettima, as part of the “Renewed Hope Initiative”.
The First Lady also promised an additional N250 million to support women in starting small businesses, with each of the 5,000 women receiving N50,000. This is on top of the initial N30,000 already disbursed to 250 women under her pet project.
Furthermore, Senator Tinubu donated relief materials worth millions of naira to the flood victims and flagged off the distribution of the materials. She expressed her commitment to supporting the people of Borno State and looked forward to her next visit being a celebration of joy and not sorrow.
Governor Babagana Zulum in his remark commended the President and his wife as well as their children for their untiring supports to people and government of Borno State as well as the Minister of Health Professor Umar Pate and Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Nigeria among others.
Earlier, the First Lady was at the Shehu of Borno’s palace where she also prayed for peace and quick restoration of the devastating flood incident that destroyed the state capital Maiduguri and its envious apart from the insurgency.
Mrs. Tinubu assured the Royal father of her continuous support in ensuring that peace and comfort return to the state while pledging to empower women to start up their petty businesses.
The First Lady was accompanied by the wives of five state governors Senate President and Hon. Speaker of House of Representatives, among others.
Members of the National and state assembly from Borno State, Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and others were also in attendance.
Highlights of the event include symbolic presentation relief materials by the first Lady and pharmaceutical drugs by the Minister of Health, group photographs and others.