The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday inaugurated a 100-bed Mother and Child Hospital at Awo-Omamma, near Owerri, the Imo State capital.
Named the Sen. Oluremi Tinubu Mother and Child Centre, the facility aims to enhance maternal and child healthcare and contribute to Nigeria’s efforts toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Speaking at the commissioning, represented by the wife of the Vice President, Nana Shettima, Senator Tinubu described the project as a “symbol of renewed hope” and a practical demonstration of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to quality healthcare delivery.
“We must continue to prioritise maternal and child health in our quest to build a healthier and more inclusive society. I encourage women and families in this community to take full advantage of the services this centre offers and take ownership of its care and preservation,” she said.
The First Lady commended health workers, especially nurses and midwives, for their tireless dedication to safeguarding maternal and child wellbeing. She also applauded Governor Hope Uzodimma and his wife, Chioma, for their efforts to improve the health and welfare of Imo residents.
Governor Uzodimma expressed gratitude to the President for the timely intervention, which he described as “strategic and impactful,” especially in a region long burdened by inadequate healthcare infrastructure.
“Naming this hospital after Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, is not only a well-deserved honour—it’s a lasting reminder of the power of compassionate and visionary leadership,” the governor said.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to reducing maternal and child mortality and expanding access to quality healthcare.
He listed several complementary state-level efforts, including an MoU with the World Bank to renovate and manage 305 Primary Healthcare Centres across all electoral wards, the establishment of a comprehensive health insurance scheme, introduction of mobile rural clinics and construction of three new general hospitals, and ongoing upgrades to facilities such as the Imo Specialist Hospital, Umuguma and the revival of the Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu, which has regained accreditation and resumed full operations.
Uzodimma also praised the Federal Government’s decision to upgrade the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, into a teaching hospital under the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, significantly boosting the state’s medical capacity.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, stated that the hospital is one of several Mother and Child Centres established to support sub-national healthcare systems.
She noted that the facility was named in honour of Senator Tinubu in recognition of her long-standing advocacy for mothers, children, and vulnerable populations.
Orelope-Adefulire also revealed that her office would launch an empowerment programme for women in Imo and other Southeast states in June.
“Despite numerous interventions, Nigeria’s maternal and child health indicators remain below SDG targets. We must intensify public advocacy to ensure all pregnant women register for antenatal care and all children receive timely vaccinations,” she said.
She disclosed that the Imo State Government provided the land for the facility, which is located within an existing general hospital. The 100-bed hospital is equipped with: An operating theatre, recovery rooms, private and general wards, consultation rooms, a laboratory, ultrasound machines, vacuum extractors, emergency carts, and children’s and adult intensive care units.
Orelope-Adefulire called on the people of Imo to take full ownership of the facility and ensure its sustainable use. She reiterated the Federal Government’s determination to prioritize programmes that impact the lives of poor and vulnerable Nigerians, ensuring that “no one is left behind.”
