By NewsMata
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has recounted with deep pain how she lost a dear friend to tuberculosis (TB), a loss which has bolstered her determination to fighting the disease not just as a policy issue but one of deep personal commitment.
Senator Tinubu said the death of her friend “is a painful reminder that TB continues to claim lives, despite being both preventable and curable. We must not allow more people to die from this disease.”
also called for global concerted efforts to eradicate tuberculosis, describing it as a major health threat that must be tackled with urgency.
In a statement in Abuja on Monday to mark the 2025 World Tuberculosis Day, with the theme: “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver,” the First Lady, who also serves as the National and Global Stop TB Champion, called for global concerted efforts to eradicate tuberculosis, describing it as a major health threat that must be tackled with urgency.
Senator Tinubu said, “Today, on World Tuberculosis Day 2025, I join the global community in reaffirming our commitment to ending one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, Tuberculosis (TB).
“Under this year’s theme, ‘Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver,’ we are reminded that winning the fight against TB is possible when we unite our efforts, invest in proven solutions, and ensure the delivery of life-saving interventions to all who need them.”
While noting that TB remained a major health threat, particularly when undiagnosed and untreated, Senator Tinubu said, “As the National and Global Stop TB Champion, I take this responsibility with deep personal commitment. The fight against TB is not just a policy issue – it is personal. I have felt the pain of losing a friend.
“This is a painful reminder that TB continues to claim lives, despite being both preventable and curable. We must not allow more people to die from this disease.”
She therefore urged Nigerians to take TB symptoms seriously and encouraged those with a persistent cough lasting more than two weeks, unexplained weight loss, night sweats, or fever to visit the nearest health facility for free TB testing and treatment, as according to her, “TB is curable, and early treatment saves lives”.
Concluding with a rallying call, Senator Tinubu said, “Together, Yes! We Can End TB. Let us commit, invest, and deliver on this promise for a healthier and TB-free Nigeria.”