United States First Lady, Jill Biden, hosted a farewell luncheon for First Ladies from various countries, including Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu during the 79th United Nations General Assembly (in New York,
The luncheon, a long-standing tradition at the UNGA, serves as a platform for global leaders and their spouses to engage in bilateral talks, strengthen diplomatic ties, and foster collaborative partnerships.
Reflecting on her tenure as First Lady, Jill Biden expressed her gratitude for the enduring relationships she had built with the attending First Ladies.
She noted that this would be her final gathering in this capacity, as her time in office concludes in January 2025.
In her remarks, shared in a statement by Busola Kukoyi, spokesperson for Oluremi Tinubu, Jill Biden acknowledged the significance of the continued partnerships that have contributed to peace and development worldwide.
“I appreciate you all for always attending this gathering. I have a strong feeling that I will see more of you in the next chapter of my life. I wish you all the best as you return to your respective countries, especially those with long journeys ahead,” she stated.
The event, held at Pier 57, also marked the conclusion of Oluremi Tinubu’s engagements at the 79th UNGA session. It provided an opportunity for the First Ladies to reflect on their joint efforts in addressing global challenges and reaffirm their shared commitment to future collaborations.
In addition to attending the luncheon, Nigeria’s First Lady had earlier participated in a side event hosted by the Stop TB Partnership, reaffirming her dedication to addressing Nigeria’s significant tuberculosis burden.
According to a separate statement from Kukoyi, Oluremi Tinubu highlighted that TB claims 125,000 lives annually in Nigeria and emphasized the importance of a unified global approach to combat both TB and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
“TB affects all, but the poor are most vulnerable,” she noted, calling for innovative strategies, increased public awareness, and prioritizing research to develop new tools and vaccines to curb the disease.
The event, themed ‘Breaking the Resistance: Fighting AMR and TB Together for a Healthy Future’, brought together global health leaders and ministers, including Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate. Also in attendance were the wives of the Kwara and Imo State Governors, Dr. Olufolake Abdulrazaq and Barr. Chioma Uzodimma, alongside health ministers from other nations.
The 79th Session of the UNGA remains a crucial annual event, drawing representatives from all 193 UN member states to address pressing global issues and explore pathways for collaborative solutions.
