Enugu State was buzzing with excitement on Monday as the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, arrived for a two-day working visit packed with empowerment programmes, healthcare support, and major project commissioning.
Ahead of her arrival, major streets and key locations in Enugu were decorated with banners bearing her image, colourful lamp post displays, and welcome messages. Several radio stations in the state also played goodwill messages from prominent individuals and groups, adding to the festive mood.
Her visit, which runs from June 9 to 10, 2025, is focused on distributing 10,000 professional kits to healthcare workers, giving out palliatives to the less privileged, launching a major health campaign, and commissioning a new state-of-the-art vocational training school.
The First Lady of Enugu State, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah, led the welcome messages. In a heartfelt radio message, she praised Mrs. Tinubu’s passion for humanitarian work and commended her commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians, especially women and children.
“It gives me great pleasure to welcome our dear First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on her official visit to Enugu State,” Mrs. Mbah said.
“During her visit, she will distribute professional kits to our healthcare workers, launch the Free to Shine campaign against HIV/AIDS, syphilis, and hepatitis, support the vulnerable with palliatives, and commission the brand-new Science, Technical and Vocational College, GTC Enugu,” she added.
Mrs. Mbah also expressed gratitude for the First Lady’s ongoing efforts across the country, calling her “an inspiration and a beacon of selfless service.”
Governor Peter Mbah also issued a public statement to welcome the First Lady, expressing appreciation for her collaboration with the state government. “We commend your untiring commitment to championing the health and wellbeing of Nigerians in general and Ndi Enugu in particular,” the governor stated.
Wives of local government chairmen, various women groups, youth associations, and community-based organisations also participated in the welcome activities. Their presence and messages, aired across local media, highlighted the significance of the First Lady’s visit to the people of Enugu.
The *Free to Shine Triple Elimination Campaign* that Senator Tinubu is launching in Enugu is a national health initiative aimed at eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis. The programme is part of her Renewed Hope Initiative, which focuses on improving public health, education, and economic support for vulnerable Nigerians.
Also on her itinerary is the commissioning of the newly completed Government Technical College (GTC), Enugu — a modern vocational school constructed by the Enugu State Government. The school is expected to offer training in science, technical, and vocational fields, helping to equip young people with practical skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
As part of her visit, thousands of palliative items are also being distributed to low-income families and other vulnerable groups across the state, a move that comes at a critical time amid rising living costs and economic hardship nationwide.
Residents of Enugu expressed enthusiasm over the First Lady’s visit, with many describing it as timely and impactful. “This is not just a visit for ceremony; she is bringing real support to people who need it the most,” said Mrs. Ifeoma Okoro, a community health worker in Abakpa.
Senator Tinubu’s visit is part of her nationwide outreach tour, which aims to directly engage with states and support grassroots development through health, education, and women-focused programmes under her Renewed Hope Initiative.
For Enugu, the visit is more than just symbolic — it is a sign of closer federal-state collaboration and a reflection of efforts to improve healthcare and vocational education in the region.
