...Launches Renewed Hope Initiative Flow with Confidence Programme
...Inaugurates Pad Banks for Female Students
In a bid to promote menstrual health and break the stigma surrounding menstruation, the wife of the Chairman, Uyo Local Government Area, Mrs. Akaninyene Uwemedimo, led a sensitisation campaign to two secondary schools on June 3, 2026, as part of activities to commemorate World Menstrual Hygiene Day.
Mrs. Uwemedimo and her team visited Ikono Ibom Comprehensive Secondary School, Ikot Ayan Ikono, and Community Secondary School, Offot Usung Ifiayong, Ibiaku Offot, Uyo LGA. She used the occasion to launch the Renewed Hope Initiative Flow with Confidence Programme and inaugurate Pad Banks for female students in the two schools to provide a one-year sustainable supply of sanitary pads.
Hundreds of female students at both schools received immediate dignity kits containing sanitary pads, soaps, underwear, and other essential toiletries.
While presenting the remarks of Nigeria’s First Lady, Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the launch, Mrs. Uwemedimo, who is the Akwa Ibom State President of Wives of All Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (WALGON), described the programme as a vital menstrual health intervention designed to empower schoolgirls by promoting knowledge, dignity, and confidence through improved menstrual hygiene.
The campaign aligned with this year’s global theme, “Together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld”, which calls for collaborative efforts to ensure girls and women have access to menstrual products, education, and supportive environments free from shame and taboos.
While engaging the female students on proper menstrual hygiene practices, Mrs. Uwemedimo also emphasised the need to treat menstruation as a natural process rather than a barrier to education.
“In today’s modern world, no girl should have to miss school because of inability to afford sanitary products. It is unacceptable that our girls would continue to face significant challenges during their menstrual cycle,” she said.
The Akwa Ibom WALGON President appreciated Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Tinubu, and the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Obareki, for the initiative. She also thanked her husband, Dr. Uwemedimo Udo, Chairman of Uyo Local Government Area, for his benevolence in augmenting what the First Lady of the Nation provided for Uyo, in order to encourage the girls to ‘flow with confidence’.
The outreach featured interactive health talks anchored by Dr. Udeme Unyime Denis, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Specialist at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, and Barrister Nkechi Udoh, Director of Economic Services, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare. The students were educated on menstrual health management, personal hygiene practices, and the importance of maintaining healthy habits during their monthly cycle.
Students and teachers at the visited schools welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful in addressing period poverty. The inauguration of the Pad Banks was particularly applauded as it promises continuous access to menstrual products beyond the one-day event.
Globally, Menstrual Hygiene Day seeks to raise awareness about the importance of menstrual health and to challenge the stigma that often surrounds menstruation.
The Chairman’s wife was accompanied on the outreach by Obongawan Dora Ebong, Professor Imaobong Akpan, and other senior female stakeholders.
Also on the entourage were the Director of Education, Mrs. Ifreke Okpon, the Supervisor for Education, Hon. Ekom Daniel, all female Councillors, and female Supervisors in Uyo Local Government Area, among others.
