…Commissions Ultramodern ICU, VIP Ward at KWASUTH

By Demola Akinyemi.

Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, through her pet project, the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), under the RHI Economic Empowerment scope, on Tuesday presented N50million grant to another set of 1,000 women petty traders in Kwara state to recapitalize their existing businesses.

Nigeria’s First Lady, also commissioned the Ultramodern Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Dr. Amuda Aluko VIP Ward at the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (KWASUTH) in Ilorin.

Speaking at the commissioning of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)/RHI community ICT centre in Ilorin, the state capital, the first Lady said that the presentation was in the spirit of the commissioning, adding that each of the beneficiaries will get a sum of N50,000.

Wife of the President was in Kwara state on a three-day official visit to inaugurate the ICT Community Centre built by her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) in partnership with NITDA, Intensive Care Unit, and Dr. Amuda Aluko Ward at the General Hospital, Ilorin, among others.

Mrs. Tinubu, who said that the grant for the women petty traders would be presented to wife of the Kwara state governor, Ambassador Olufolake Abdulrazaq, added that 1,000 women petty traders had earlier been empowered on the August 22, 2024.

“Under the RHI Social Investment Programme, 250 elderly citizens were given a grant of N200,000 each on December 17, 2024 to celebrate the yuletide season”, she added.

Wife of the president also said that RHI, under its Education Programme is collaborating with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to build an Alternative High School for Girls in Kwara State.

“This is to provide another opportunity to access education for girls and women who dropped out of school due to early pregnancies, child marriages and other socio-economic reasons.

“Also, Kwara State has been nominated to benefit from the construction of a model Early Childhood Care Development Education (ECCDE) Centre, which will be built in Ilorin. As part of the fruit of our collaboration with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Kwara State University is to benefit from the establishment of an ICT Experience Centre.

“Furthermore, under our RHI Agriculture Programme, women and young farmers will benefit from the N68.9 Million Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Support grant.

“This grant has been made available to Kwara State, through the First Lady and RHI State Coordinator, who will be responsible for the implementation of the Women Agricultural Support Programme (WASP), Youth Agricultural Support Programme, Every Home a Garden and Young Farmers Club of the Renewed Hope Initiative”. Senator Oluremi Tinubu said.

Also speaking, wife of the Kwara state governor, Ambassador Olufolake Abdulrazaq, said that the ICT initiative would not only equip the women and youths with in-demand digital skills, adding that it would position them for the opportunities that are abound in the Nigerian and global digital space.

She noted that,”today’s commissioning speaks to the many engagements and partnerships of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria towards ensuring that Nigerians are adequately supported in the pursuit of their goals and improving livelihoods of the most indigent to complement the efforts of Mr. President His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and the Federal Government in this regard.

“While this milestone will continue to up the status of women, youths and other users of the facility, it is also creating pathways into making Nigeria a digitally empowered Nation as well as fostering a technology enabled equitable future for all Nigerians”.

Mrs. Abdulrazaq enjoined the host school (College of Education, Ilorin) and users alike to ensure the protection and security of the edifice and to take full advantage of the services the facility provides to develop themselves and promote positive causes”.

As part of her programmes in Kwara state, the First Lady also paid homage to the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Chief, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari CFR.
Mrs Tinubu also distributed foods to support the vulnerable under her RHI, among other activities.

Also, the Progressives Governor Forum (PGF) Chairman, Hope Uzodinma, will conduct the official groundbreaking ceremony for the Oluremi Tinubu Hospital, a multi-storey building being constructed on the ashes of the old civil service clinic.

In a related development,Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, also commissioned the Ultramodern Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Dr. Amuda Aluko VIP Ward at the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (KWASUTH) in Ilorin.

Speaking during the ceremony, Kwara State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina El-Imam, highlighted the facility’s inclusiveness and affordability, emphasizing that it is designed to serve all categories of patients without causing financial strain.
“The facility will take care of both men and women, young and aged alike,” she said.

“The furniture is brand new and everything is comfortable, all aimed at reducing hospital-acquired infections and speeding up patients’ recovery.”

“The Amuda Aluko VIP ward comprises 19 rooms, including spacious single rooms and double rooms designed to meet various patient needs.

“The double rooms resemble a room and parlour, ensuring comfort for both patients and healthcare workers”, El-Imam added.

On affordability, she noted, “It is not free, but you can be rest assured that it is affordable, as the government of Kwara State always considers the least privileged while providing healthcare services. The facility offers advanced care beyond what is obtainable in primary or secondary health centres, helping to reduce medical tourism.”

Addressing concerns about maintenance, the Commissioner expressed confidence in the hospital staff, saying, “No one would have such a facility and decide to ruin it. I trust the dedication of the team at KWASUTH to maintain this facility.”

On the entourage of the President’s wife are the wives of the Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief of Staff; First Ladies from across Nigeria.

The event was attended by federal and state parliamentarians; top government functionaries led by Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi; local council chairperson; and party big wigs from across the state led by Prince Sunday Fagbemi.

Kwara State House of Assembly Speaker Rt. Hon Saliu Yakubu led the state lawmakers. Senator Sadiq Umar (Kwara North) and House of Representatives member Mukhtar Tolani Shagaya were also already seated along with several other dignitaries.

The event at the University of Education was also attended by clerics led by the Chief Imam of Ilorin Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Soliu and CAN Chairman Bishop Sunday Adewole, among others.

On Wednesday, the wife of the President will, among other things, inaugurate the newly constructed Unity Flyover, which Governor Abdulrazaq has named in honour of the Emir of Ilorin Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari CFR — a honour anchored on the support of Mai Martaba for the administration, his peaceful reign, his fatherly role in the Emirate and beyond, and his support for development.