“When a girl is empowered with the right support, she gains the confidence to learn, grow, and achieve her dreams. Menstrual hygiene is not just a health issue; it is a matter of dignity, education, and equal opportunity.”
The Wife of the Adamawa State Governor, Her Excellency Hajiya Dr. Lami Ahmadu Fintiri, on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, officially flagged off the distribution of 50,000 sanitary pads donated by the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), led by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and National Chairman of RHI, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, to 424 secondary schools across Adamawa State.
The event, held at Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS), Yola, marked Adamawa State’s participation in the nationwide “Flow With Confidence” Menstrual Hygiene Initiative, aimed at improving menstrual health, enhancing school attendance, and promoting the overall wellbeing of adolescent girls, particularly those in rural and underserved communities.
Speaking during the launch, Hajiya Dr. Lami Fintiri described the initiative as a transformative intervention that extends beyond the distribution of sanitary products.
According to her, the programme is designed to restore dignity, build self-confidence, promote education, and enable girls to remain focused on their studies without the challenges associated with poor menstrual hygiene.
She stressed that no girl should be forced to miss school because she cannot afford sanitary products.
“Menstruation should never be a barrier to education. Every girl deserves access to safe and hygienic sanitary products so she can learn with confidence and pursue her dreams without interruption,” she said.
The First Lady noted that many girls, especially those in rural communities, continue to face challenges during their menstrual periods, with some staying away from school and others resorting to unsafe alternatives due to a lack of access to proper sanitary materials.
She added that the theme of the programme, “Flow With Confidence,” conveys a strong message that menstruation is natural and should never be a source of shame, fear, or embarrassment.
As part of the distribution plan, she disclosed that each of the 407 mixed secondary schools in the state would receive 20 packs of sanitary pads, while the 17 girls-only schools, including Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Yola, would receive 50 packs each.
In her capacity as Adamawa State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Hajiya Lami Fintiri assured school administrators that transportation support had been provided to facilitate the movement of the sanitary pads to their respective Local Government Areas.
She further urged principals and the wives of the 21 Local Government Chairmen to work together in organizing distribution exercises within their LGAs and to properly document the process through photographs and short video clips for accountability and public awareness.
The First Lady also called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders, teachers, parents, and other stakeholders to support the initiative and ensure that the sanitary pads reach the intended beneficiaries, particularly girls from vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds.
“When we support the girl-child, we are investing in stronger families, healthier communities, and a brighter future for our society,” she added.
Hajiya Lami Fintiri expressed appreciation to the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, for her commitment to advancing the welfare, health, and education of young girls through the Renewed Hope Initiative.
She also commended school administrators, women’s groups, healthcare professionals, and development partners for their contributions toward the success of the programme.
In her welcome address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development described the initiative as a timely intervention that would significantly improve menstrual hygiene awareness and school attendance among adolescent girls.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Post Primary Schools Management Board thanked the First Lady for her continued support for the education sector and her commitment to placing students at the centre of developmental interventions.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Wunfe B. Anthony; the Executive Chairperson of the Adamawa State Planning Commission, Dr. Mary Paninga; and the Principal of Government Girls Secondary School, Yola, Hajiya Rukayya Chumaro. They described the programme as impactful, timely, and capable of positively transforming the lives of thousands of young girls across the state.
The event attracted a large gathering of stakeholders, including wives of members of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, wives of Permanent Secretaries, Commissioners, Local Government Chairmen, representatives of women’s groups, principals from the 21 Local Government Areas, teachers, and students.
Highlights of the ceremony included the symbolic presentation of sanitary pads by the First Lady, an educational playlet performed by students of Government Girls Secondary School, Yola, and a drama presentation emphasizing the importance of menstrual hygiene, self-confidence, and keeping girls in school.