The Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), in partnership with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has distributed learning iPads, cash support and more than 10,000 sanitary pads to secondary school students in Rivers State as part of efforts to promote digital education, academic development and menstrual health.
Key Highlights
- Renewed Hope Initiative and NDDC distributed learning iPads to secondary school students in Rivers State.
- The iPads were preloaded with educational applications to support digital learning.
- Schools were directed to ensure the devices are used strictly for educational purposes.
- More than 10,000 sanitary pads were donated for distribution to female students across Rivers State.
- Rural schools and students are to receive priority in the sanitary-pad distribution.
- The initiative seeks to promote menstrual health and reduce stigma among schoolgirls.
- Rivers State Ministries of Education and Health will oversee the distribution of the sanitary pads.
- Beneficiaries praised the intervention and pledged to use the learning and menstrual-health resources effectively.
Renewed Hope Initiative, NDDC Distribute Learning iPads
The presentation took place on Monday at the Government House in Port Harcourt and was conducted on behalf of the Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, by the Wife of the Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, through the State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Tonye Briggs-Onyide.
Senator Tinubu said the learning devices were provided by the NDDC to support junior secondary school students and expand their access to digital educational resources.
She explained that the iPads had been preloaded with educational applications designed to make learning easier, more interactive and engaging for students.
The Wife of the President urged the beneficiary schools to ensure that the devices were used strictly for educational purposes.
She stressed that the iPads were not meant for sale and directed the schools to provide evidence of their distribution while ensuring that the learning devices reach the intended students.
Schools Commend Renewed Hope Initiative NDDC Intervention
Receiving the devices, Mrs. Gladys Ogudechika of Community Secondary School, Oyigbo, in Oyigbo Local Government Area, thanked the Wife of the President and the Wife of the Rivers State Governor for the intervention.
She said the initiative would help strengthen students’ learning skills and improve their access to modern educational resources.
Similarly, Boyle Dedeboma of Community Secondary School, Akinima, in Ahoada-West Local Government Area, commended the initiative.
Dedeboma noted that the pre-installed and programmed educational applications would provide valuable support to both teachers and students.
Renewed Hope Initiative Donates More Than 10,000 Sanitary Pads
Meanwhile, the Renewed Hope Initiative has handed over more than 10,000 sanitary pads to the Rivers State Ministries of Education and Health for distribution to female students across the state.
The intervention was carried out under the theme, “Empowering School Girls Through Menstrual Health.”
Speaking at the occasion, Senator Oluremi Tinubu said the donation was part of efforts to promote menstrual health among girls in schools and ensure that menstruation does not become a barrier to their education.
She was represented by Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara through the State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Mrs. Tonye Briggs-Onyide.
Rural Schools to Receive Priority
Senator Tinubu directed the Rivers State Ministries of Education and Health to ensure that the sanitary pads reach government schools across the state, including mixed schools.
She specifically called for priority to be given to students in rural communities, where access to menstrual-health resources can be more limited.
The initiative is expected to support schoolgirls in maintaining proper menstrual hygiene while also encouraging greater awareness and openness about menstrual health.
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Education Ministry Hails Menstrual Health Initiative
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Education, Dr. Mina Ikuru, described the intervention as timely.
Ikuru said the initiative would help break the silence and stigma surrounding menstrual health among young girls.
She encouraged students experiencing menstrual-health challenges to speak openly with trusted and appropriate persons rather than keeping such concerns to themselves.
The Permanent Secretary also charged the beneficiaries to become mentors and ambassadors of the Renewed Hope Initiative by sharing proper menstrual-health knowledge with other students.
Health Ministry Assures Students of Proper Distribution
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr. Vincent Wachukwu, assured that the sanitary pads would be distributed in line with the directive.
He said the distribution would cover schools across the state, including those located in rural communities.
The assurance is expected to ensure that the materials reach the intended beneficiaries and support the broader goal of promoting menstrual health among schoolgirls.
Students Appreciate Renewed Hope Initiative
In separate remarks, Miss Chika Wilson Marvelous of Government Girls Secondary School, Rumuokwuta, and Miss Okodu Godstime Mirabel of Government Girls Secondary School, Rumueme, expressed appreciation to the Renewed Hope Initiative for the intervention.
The students pledged to use the sanitary pads effectively and maintain good menstrual-health practices.
The combined education and menstrual-health intervention highlights the Renewed Hope Initiative’s focus on improving learning opportunities and supporting the wellbeing of students in Rivers State.
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