The wife of President Bola Tinubu has provided about N2.5 billion for school girls under the Senator ‘Renewed Hope Initiative’ for one year.

In Anambra State, she distributed 10,000 disposable sanitary pads to school girls drawn from various schools as part of the national launch of the ‘Flow with Confidence’ programme.

The initiative aims to donate 370,000 pads to school girls across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, under the theme, “Empowering School Girls through Menstrual Health.”

Speaking during the distribution, Senator Tinubu highlighted the challenges menstrual issues pose to school girls, especially in rural areas, noting that they can disrupt education and inhibit aspirations.

She stressed that no girl should have to choose between her menstrual dignity and her education, emphasizing that both should be pursued without disruption.

The First Lady noted that the disposable sanitary pads were selected for their safety and reliability, adding that a total of N2,550,297,150 was spent on procuring the pads from a local manufacturer.

She encouraged the beneficiaries to prioritize their health while pursuing their ambitions and urged well-meaning Nigerians to support the initiative to reach more girls in grassroots communities.

During the event, the wife of Anambra Governor, Nonye Soludo, launched the Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Pad Bank portal, aimed at coordinating her ongoing school pad bank initiative.

She explained that the portal ensures young school girls across the state have access to basic menstrual hygiene products.

Hon. Mimi Azikiwe, member representing Onitsha North Constituency One in the State House of Assembly, praised both First Ladies, noting that their gestures empower girls to manage menstrual health confidently and with pride.

She emphasized that leadership begins with care and compassion, reminding young girls that menstruation is a normal sign of growth and maturity.

Dr. Tonia Mbagwu, HIV/AIDS Programme Coordinator at the Anambra State Ministry of Health, described menstruation as a normal physiological process and called on girls not to be influenced by myths, urging them to manage their menstrual health with dignity.

Jideobi Ogbo, a coordinator of the Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo School Pad Bank Initiative, explained that the portal was developed to facilitate effective communication with school coordinators, track distribution, and monitor supplies.

He stressed that the system enables schools to provide accurate data to ensure efficient management of the initiative.