SDGs; Renewing Hope , Initiatives through Health Improvement in Nigeria,
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF.
Before and after launch of SDGs Goals 3 and 4 which signified Quality Education, Health Care and well being of Nigerians in 2023, the global body redoubled on its domestication towards providing health care both at the primary, secondary and tertiary health institutions.
Under the leadership of Princess Adejoke Orelope Adefulire, the provision of adequate health care services and facilities has been on the high pedestal in accordance with expectations of the decade of action, 2020-2030 Agenda.
This positive health care provision has resulted in the establishment of different levels of health facilities across the country from the South to the North and other critical areas of the country.
Aside the establishment of series of special centres to cater for various ailments in the primary, secondary and tertiary health institutions, the Sustainable Development Goals SDGs in Nigeria has also commenced by throwing its weight behind the establishment of all levels of health care provision in the country.
Having been recognized globally and domestically at the home front , the need to expand the scope of coverage, so as to achieve the envisaged Universal Health Care provision for Nigerians became sancrosanct, hence the alignment and realignment with the goals of the new administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda and Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI , her pet project.
This positive development powered under the Renewed Hope project and agenda led to the establishment of a 20 beded Health Care center by SDGs at Oreta , a suburb of Lagos state earlier in the year 2025.
With combined efforts of the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Renewed Hope Agenda, Renewed Hope Initiative, SDGs Goals 3, under the leadership of the vibrant Princess Adejoke Orelope Adefulire, the ball is now set towards renewing , initiating laudable programs in the health sector in the country.
In a recent occasion, the SDGs commenced the promotion and advancement of the two combined efforts of the present administration under the Renewed Hope Agenda and Renewed Hope Initiative by commissioning a 100 bed hospital named after the Nigeria’s first Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu in Imo state on Tuesday.
The Senator Oluremi Tinubu Mother and Child Hospital was geared towards supporting maternal and child healthcare as a foundation for a healthier nation, including the 20 beded hospital at Oreta and 40 beded Primary Health Care Center at Lagos East powered by Senator Abiru, encapsulated under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
In her speech at the occasion, Senator Oluremi Tinubu opined …
“In a landmark development for maternal and child healthcare in Imo State, the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has commissioned a 100-bed Mother and Child Centre at Awo-Omamma General Hospital near Owerri. The state-of-the-art facility, constructed and fully equipped by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs), is named the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Mother and Child Centre.”
The inauguration was performed on behalf of the First Lady by the Wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, who described the facility as a symbol of renewed hope and a critical milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards achieving the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
“This centre reflects the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to delivering quality healthcare to Nigerians, particularly women and children,” she said. “We must continue to prioritise maternal and child healthcare as a foundation for a healthier and more prosperous society.”
“She called on women and families in the surrounding communities to take full advantage of the healthcare services offered at the centre and to take ownership of the facility to ensure its sustainability. She also extended gratitude to health workers, particularly nurses and midwives, who continue to play a vital role in improving maternal and child outcomes across the country.”
“The First Lady further commended the efforts of Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, and his wife, Chioma Uzodimma, for their dedication to the wellbeing of the people, and praised the leadership of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, for spearheading the implementation of impactful, pro-poor interventions across the nation.”
“The newly commissioned hospital, sited within the Awo-Omamma General Hospital, features a comprehensive suite of healthcare amenities. These include private and general wards, an operating theatre, recovery rooms, consultation units, scanning rooms, adult and paediatric intensive care units, a laboratory, ultrasound machines, emergency carts, delivery kits, and vacuum extractors.”
“Governor Uzodimma, in his remarks, hailed the project as a timely and strategic intervention that addresses critical gaps in the state’s health sector. He expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his leadership and for recognising the health and dignity of mothers and children as national priorities.”
“Naming this centre after Senator Oluremi Tinubu is not only a well-deserved honour but a lasting reminder of her compassion, advocacy, and service to women and vulnerable groups,” he said. “This facility is a major boost to our state’s integrated health infrastructure plan and will significantly reduce maternal and child mortality.”
“Princess Orelope-Adefulire noted that the 100-bed facility is one of several built under the OSSAP-SDGs programme to strengthen sub-national healthcare systems. She stressed that the hospital was conceived and delivered as part of the SDGs’ commitment to ensuring no Nigerian is left behind in accessing quality health services.”
“This centre is a testimony to the First Lady’s enduring commitment to the welfare of mothers, children, and vulnerable populations, an ethos she upheld even before assuming her current office,” she said.
“Highlighting findings from the Nigeria SDGs Progress Report 2024, she lamented that outcomes for maternal and child health remain below target. She called for intensified advocacy to ensure pregnant women attend antenatal and postnatal clinics and that children receive timely vaccinations.”
“This facility will commence full services within the next two to three months and is equipped to deliver quality care at all levels,” she announced.
“We urge Imo State and its residents to embrace this intervention and make judicious use of it in a sustainable manner.”
“Orelope-Adefulire also announced that her office would return to Imo in June for an empowerment initiative targeting women in the South-East region. She reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening federal-state collaboration in delivering SDG-aligned projects.”
“The Imo State Government provided the land for the project, underscoring the collaborative effort between federal and state authorities. The initiative stands as a powerful response to existing healthcare challenges and a bold step toward a future where every mother and child can live healthier, more dignified lives.”
“In a major boost to infrastructure development in Lagos East, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, has commissioned two key projects aimed at improving education and healthcare in the district.”
“The first project, a block of 22 classrooms at Wright Memorial Primary School in Somolu, is designed to provide enhanced learning environments for students in the area. The project, which aligns with SDG 4 (Quality Education), aims to reduce overcrowding and improve the quality of education. By equipping the school with modern facilities, the initiative ensures that students from underserved communities have access to conducive learning spaces that foster academic growth.”
“In the health sector, a new 40-bed Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) was commissioned in Agboyi-Ketu. This state-of-the-art facility is set to provide critical healthcare services to residents of the local community, significantly reducing pressure on overcrowded general hospitals in the area. The project falls in line with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), aiming to enhance healthcare delivery, particularly in reducing maternal and child mortality and addressing other primary healthcare needs. The PHC is equipped with modern medical equipment, making it a vital healthcare hub for the surrounding communities.”
“Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, who facilitated the projects for his constituents, emphasized during the commissioning ceremony the importance of these initiatives in addressing the key challenges faced by his constituents. He reiterated his commitment to sustainable development and the well-being of the people of Lagos East. He also acknowledged the efforts of the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs) in executing the projects, noting that the collaboration has resulted in many other meaningful projects that are transforming lives in the senatorial district.”
“Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire highlighted the importance of education and healthcare in achieving sustainable development. She emphasized that these initiatives are part of a broader effort to ensure that no one is left behind, expressing hope that the new facilities would make a lasting impact on the lives of the people in the community.”
“These projects are just a few examples of the numerous interventions being made by OSSAP-SDGs across Nigeria, aimed at achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The focus on education and healthcare is critical, as they are foundational to achieving other Sustainable Development Goals, she stated.”
“In a monumental stride towards enhancing healthcare delivery in Lagos State, the Federal Government, through the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), has inaugurated a modern 20-bed Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Oreta Community, Igbogbo-Baiyeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Ikorodu, Lagos State.”
“The state-of-the-art facility, commissioned by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, is fully equipped with essential amenities, including a labour room, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), maternity and behavioural health rooms, patient wards, and a consultant’s office. These provisions aim to address the critical healthcare needs of the local population, with a particular focus on maternal and child health.”
“At the commissioning ceremony, Princess Orelope-Adefulire expressed her elation at the completion of the project and highlighted its transformative potential for the community.”
“This healthcare center is more than a project; it is a demonstration of our dedication to achieving the SDGs, particularly Goal 3, which prioritizes good health and well-being. It stands as a testament to our commitment to providing accessible and affordable healthcare to every Nigerian, starting at the grassroots level,” she stated.
“She announced plans for future enhancements, including the establishment of units for immunization, antenatal, gynecology, and postnatal care. Additional infrastructure such as doctors’ quarters and upgraded security measures, including a fenced perimeter with barbed wire, were also outlined.”
“We are not just building for today but planning for the future. This facility is a legacy of hope and health for Oreta and its surrounding communities,” she added.
“The Executive Chairman of Igbogbo-Baiyeku LCDA, Builder Olusesan Daini, commended the federal government and Princess Orelope-Adefulire for their impactful intervention.”
“This healthcare center is a beacon of hope for over 51 Community Development Associations and countless families in Oreta and its environs. It is a game-changer for healthcare delivery in this region,” he remarked.
“Daini further acknowledged the unwavering support of the SSAP-SDGs and pledged the community’s commitment to maintaining the facility.”
“The event was graced by His Royal Majesty Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom, who praised the initiative as a milestone in the community’s development.”
“This project underscores the importance of collaboration between government and community leaders in meeting the healthcare needs of our people. It is a significant achievement for Igbogbo,” the monarch stated.
“Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun, Member of Lagos State House of Assembly representing Ikorodu Constituency II, lauded the project, emphasizing its potential to transform lives.”
“This facility represents progress and a brighter future. It shows what can be achieved when leaders prioritize the well-being of the people,” he said.
“Other dignitaries, including Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, Hon. Wasiu Agoro, and Hon. Motunrayo Gbadebo-Alogba, also expressed their gratitude and called for sustained development in the region.”
“The project aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, focusing on improving healthcare accessibility and achieving universal health coverage.”
“In her concluding remarks, Princess Orelope-Adefulire called on the community to collectively ensure the sustainability of the facility.”
“This center belongs to all of us. Let us protect it, use it wisely, and ensure it serves generations to come,” she said.
“The commissioning ceremony brought together stakeholders, including community leaders, healthcare professionals, youth associations, market leaders, and residents, who celebrated the achievement with gratitude and optimism.”
“The new healthcare center stands as a symbol of hope and progress, promising to significantly improve healthcare access and outcomes for the people of Oreta and beyond. It is a shining example of the impact of purposeful leadership and the power of collaboration in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria.”
The combined efforts and policy framework of the global SDGs, domesticated programs of provision of quality health care services kick-started the Renewed Hope Agenda and Renewed Hope Initiative RHI, the pet project of Nigeria’s first Lady.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.
