The fight against tuberculosis received a significant boost in Ibeju-Lekki on Thursday 2nd July, 2026 as the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, brought the Tuberculosis Health Talk and Awareness Campaign to Lakowe Junior High School, mobilising students, educators, healthcare professionals and community stakeholders in a renewed effort to curb the spread of one of the world's oldest infectious diseases.
The campaign, facilitated through the Office of the First Lady Tuberculosis Steering Committee (OFILI) in partnership with Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, underscores the Lagos State Government's commitment to expanding public health education and ensuring that awareness becomes the first line of defence against tuberculosis.
Receiving the First Lady and her delegation, the Executive Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, Hon. Abdullahi Sesan Olowa, described the initiative as a strategic intervention that recognises the critical role of education in disease prevention.
The Chairman noted that as Ibeju-Lekki continues to experience unprecedented growth driven by industrialisation, urban expansion and increasing population, safeguarding public health must remain a shared responsibility between government, institutions and residents.
He commended Dr. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu for taking tuberculosis awareness directly to schools across Lagos State, describing the initiative as a practical investment in the next generation. According to him, students equipped with accurate health information become powerful advocates who can influence healthier behaviours within their homes and communities.
Hon. Olowa stressed that while tuberculosis remains a global public health concern, it is preventable and curable when detected early. He identified ignorance, delayed diagnosis and stigma as major barriers to eliminating the disease, urging students to embrace the knowledge shared during the programme and become ambassadors of awareness.
The Chairman also reaffirmed his administration's commitment to strengthening primary healthcare, promoting disease prevention and expanding community based health education through the Health pillar of the SHIEELD Agenda, while assuring the Office of the First Lady Tuberculosis Steering Committee of the Council's continued partnership in advancing public health initiatives across Ibeju-Lekki.
In her address, Dr. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu encouraged the students to take ownership of the campaign by sharing the lessons learnt with their families and peers. She emphasised that tuberculosis is both preventable and curable, and urged residents to seek early medical attention while rejecting the stigma often associated with the disease.
A major highlight of the programme was a comprehensive lecture on tuberculosis delivered by Dr. Fadare Folashade, who enlightened the students on the causes, symptoms, prevention, early detection and treatment of the disease. The programme also featured an engaging question-and-answer session, during which students, teachers and school counsellors interacted with health professionals, asked questions and received practical guidance on tuberculosis prevention, treatment and the importance of seeking prompt medical attention.
For Ibeju-Lekki, the campaign represents another important collaboration with the Lagos State Government, reinforcing the shared commitment to building healthier communities through prevention, education and sustained grassroots engagement.
