- Dr. Fadare Folashade educated students and stakeholders on tuberculosis and led an interactive question-and-answer session during the awareness campaign.
- Hon. Abdullahi Sesan Olowa and Dr. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu called for greater investment in preventive healthcare and urged students to become TB awareness ambassadors.
- Dr. Monsurat Adeleke, Mrs. Kasali and Principal Mr. Azeez commended the initiative and encouraged early screening, treatment and the elimination of stigma against tuberculosis.
The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday intensified the campaign against tuberculosis (TB) with a health awareness programme held at Iwerekun Community Primary School, bringing together students of Iwerekun Community Primary School, Iwerekun Community Junior Secondary School, and Iwerekun Community Senior Secondary School for an intensive health education session.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the campaign, organised by the Office of the First Lady Tuberculosis Steering Committee (OFILI) in collaboration with Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, attracted healthcare professionals, education stakeholders, traditional leaders, teachers, students and community members, all united in the fight against one of the world’s oldest infectious diseases.
A major highlight of the programme was a comprehensive health talk delivered by Dr. Fadare Folashade, who educated students, teachers and other participants on tuberculosis, describing it as a contagious but preventable and curable disease caused by bacteria. She explained that the disease spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks, stressing that early detection remains the most effective way to stop its transmission.
Dr. Fadare urged participants to seek immediate medical attention if they experience a persistent cough lasting more than two weeks, noting that tuberculosis screening and treatment are provided free of charge at government health facilities. She also emphasized the importance of completing the full six-month treatment regimen, explaining that patients who adhere to treatment can recover fully and are less likely to spread the disease after the initial weeks of medication.
She further encouraged the students to become ambassadors of good health by taking the tuberculosis awareness message back to their homes and communities, while discouraging every form of stigma against people living with the disease.
Following the lecture, Dr. Fadare coordinated an interactive question-and-answer session involving students, teachers, health professionals and other dignitaries present. The session provided participants with the opportunity to ask questions on the causes, symptoms, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis, helping to deepen their understanding of the disease and the importance of early detection and prompt treatment.
Welcoming the First Lady and her entourage, the Executive Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, Hon. Abdullahi Sesan Olowa, described the initiative as a timely intervention that underscores the importance of preventive healthcare and public health education.
Olowa noted that with the rapid industrialisation and population growth in Ibeju-Lekki, sustained investment in health awareness programmes has become essential to protecting residents from communicable diseases.
“Educating our young people about tuberculosis is an investment in the future. When students are equipped with the right information, they become ambassadors of good health who can positively influence their families and communities,” he said.
The Chairman reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening primary healthcare delivery and promoting preventive healthcare through the Health pillar of the SHIEELD Agenda, while pledging continued collaboration with the Office of the First Lady on health initiatives across the local government.
In her keynote address, Dr. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu urged students to become advocates for tuberculosis awareness by sharing the knowledge acquired during the programme with their families, classmates and neighbours.
“Tuberculosis is both preventable and curable. No one should die from TB because screening and treatment are available. Do not stigmatise anyone living with the disease; instead, encourage them to seek medical attention early,” she said.
She encouraged the students to see themselves as ambassadors of good health, stressing that increased awareness and early diagnosis remain critical to reducing the spread of tuberculosis across communities.
Delivering further health enlightenment, Dr. Monsurat Adeleke, Permanent Secretary, Health District III, explained that tuberculosis remains a major public health concern but can be eliminated through early detection, proper treatment and sustained community awareness.
She advised that anyone experiencing a cough lasting more than two weeks should immediately visit the nearest health facility for tuberculosis screening, emphasizing that both diagnosis and treatment are provided free of charge by the government.
“Tuberculosis is preventable and curable. Early diagnosis saves lives, and we must continue to encourage people to seek treatment without fear. We must also stop stigmatizing those living with TB because they deserve care, support and encouragement,” she said.
Also speaking, Mrs. Kasali, wife of the Executive Chairman of Lekki LCDA and a Tuberculosis Ambassador, encouraged the students to become advocates of good health by educating others about tuberculosis.
She noted that ignorance and stigma remain major obstacles in the fight against the disease, urging students to spread accurate information and encourage anyone with symptoms to seek immediate medical attention.
“Every one of you has a role to play in ending tuberculosis. Share what you have learnt today with your parents, friends and neighbours. Together, we can stop the spread of TB and save lives,” she said.
Commending the initiative, the Principal of Iwerekun Community Junior Secondary School, Mr. Azeez, expressed appreciation to the First Lady for bringing the awareness campaign to the school.
He described the programme as impactful and educational, saying it had equipped students with valuable knowledge that would positively influence their health and wellbeing.
“We sincerely appreciate Her Excellency for this laudable initiative. This programme has enlightened our students on tuberculosis prevention and treatment. We encourage the First Lady to sustain this campaign so that more schools and communities across Lagos State will benefit from this life-saving awareness,” he said.
The awareness campaign concluded with renewed calls for regular health screening, early diagnosis and collective action to eliminate tuberculosis, as students pledged to become ambassadors of the campaign by promoting healthy practices and sharing the knowledge gained with their families and communities.
