Tag: First Lady

…donates ₦1bn to victims of deadly attacks

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has called on the people of Benue State to embrace peace, dialogue, and tolerance as the only viable path to resolving conflict and achieving lasting unity.

Speaking in Makurdi on Tuesday during a condolence visit to Governor Hyacinth Alia and the people of Benue over the recent deadly attacks in Yelwata, Dauda, and other communities, Mrs. Tinubu decried the violence, which she described as “heart-wrenching and unnecessary.”

“As a mother, I urge you all to bury any grievances and go back to cordial and peaceful coexistence. When there are disagreements, dialogue and patience remain the best solution, rather than violence. The way of peace is the way of love, and love is the greatest power on earth. Despite its long suffering, it conquers all things”, she said.

According to a statement issued by her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi, the First Lady emphasised that Nigeria’s diversity should be a strength and not a source of division.

“Our diversity is supposed to help us to grow as a people and not destroy us,” she remarked.

During the visit, Mrs. Tinubu, on behalf of her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), presented a cheque of ₦1 billion to the state government to support victims of the attacks and assist in the restoration of their livelihoods.

“Benue State is known as the nation’s ‘food basket’ because of its rich and diverse agricultural produce. Benue has a lot to contribute to our nation’s growth and prosperity, especially in the area of food security”, she noted.

The First Lady assured stakeholders that the concerns and prayers raised during the visit would be relayed to President Bola Tinubu and the relevant federal authorities.

Governor Hyacinth Alia, in his remarks, welcomed the First Lady and thanked her for her compassion and generosity.

He renewed his call for the establishment of state and community policing as a means to improve security and prevent future attacks.

“The recent killings underscore the urgent need for state and community policing, which will ensure swift and timely response, effective intelligence gathering, and safer communities,” the governor said.

He described the First Lady’s visit as a “much-admired act of leadership, thoughtfulness, and empathy.”

Also speaking, the Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse, urged security agencies to intensify efforts to expel killer herdsmen from Benue. He warned that their continued violence had crippled farming activities and posed a national threat.

“These killer herder terrorists must be flushed out without delay. Our communities that have suffered must be helped to return to normal life. People in IDP camps must be supported to go back to their ancestral homes and farmlands”, the monarch said.

He lamented that many farmers now live in fear, unable to access their lands, which has undermined the state’s agricultural capacity and food production.

The ₦1 billion donation, he said, would go a long way in bringing relief to displaced persons and rebuilding shattered communities.

First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has called for urgent global action to prepare the younger generation for a rapidly changing world, emphasizing that leaders must not wait for the future to arrive but actively shape it.

Speaking on the second day of the Third Annual Global First Partners Academy in New York, Mrs. Tinubu addressed a diverse audience of First Ladies, academics, and global policy influencers under the theme “First Partners’ Role in the World: Preparing the Youth for the Future.”

In a statement by her Senior Special Assistant on Media Busola Kukoyi, Tinubu said “across continents, we face a common challenge of a rapidly evolving global landscape. Whether in Lagos, London, or Los Angeles, the future is being shaped by technology, innovation, climate change, migration, and new economic paradigms”.

She stressed that First Ladies hold a powerful but often overlooked role, saying “as First Partners, we occupy a unique space: we are non-partisan influencers, public advocates, and maternal figures in our national and global communities. With this role comes an opportunity and a moral obligation to lead.”

Drawing from her experience as an educator, she underscored the resilience and innovation of Nigerian youth. 

“Our youth are creative, innovative, hardworking and resilient. We just need to engage them positively, believe in them, and create a conducive environment for them to thrive”, she said.

Tinubu tied her remarks to Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and her Renewed Hope Initiative, which priorities education, mentorship, and empowerment. 

“We cannot wait for the future to happen; we must shape it now,” she said, quoting Abraham Lincoln: ‘The best way to predict the future is to create it.’

She further emphasized the need to engage young people in the spaces where they already operate — technology, creative industries, climate activism, and governance. 

“As adults, we have a lot of catching up to do. We must build bridges to engage our youth through scholarships, internships, mentorships, and programs that foster civic participation and public service,” she added.

Read Also: First Lady inaugurates 30-bed primary health centre in Lagos

Throughout the session, delegates from various continents continued dialogue on conflict resolution, youth engagement, and the transformative role of artificial intelligence. 

Faculty members — including serving and former First Ladies — shared tools and insights on promoting social cohesion and leading inclusive initiatives.

Panels covered topics such as AI in Women’s Health, Technological Trends Shaping Youth Futures, and AI in Food Security, underscoring the event’s broader commitment to addressing global challenges with innovation and collaboration.

First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has said the proposal to grant special seats for women in the legislature should not be viewed as an act of charity, but as a strategic move to deepen Nigeria’s democratic development.

Speaking during an interactive dialogue on the women’s special seat bill at the 2025 Open NASS Week, organised by the House of Representatives, the First Lady stressed that women have been historically underrepresented in the country’s governance.

Represented by the Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs, Kafilat Ogbara, Senator Tinubu commended the 10th House of Representatives for advancing efforts to reserve seats for women at both the state and national levels.

She reaffirmed her commitment to supporting initiatives that promote women’s political participation, education, and economic empowerment, urging lawmakers to consider the bill with an open mind and a sense of national duty.

She said, “This event comes at a very important time in our Nation’s history, as the National Assembly is currently conducting public hearings across the country on key constitutional and legislative reforms.

“One of the most critical issues being raised is the question of women’s representation and inclusion in politics, particularly through reserved seats for women in the legislature.

“As we reflect on Nigeria’s democratic journey, we must be honest about where we are and be bold about where we need to go. The truth is that women remain significantly underrepresented in all levels of governance, despite making up nearly half of the population. This is not just a question of fairness; it is a matter of strengthening our democracy and deepening our national development.

Read Also: Daduut lauds First Lady over N1bn donations to victims of Plateau attack

“I strongly believe that giving women a seat at the table is not about charity. It is about recognising competence, diversity of experience, and the unique perspectives women bring to leadership.

“That is why this session on special seats for women is not only timely but necessary. It presents an opportunity for us to move beyond conversations and towards real, concrete action”.

She also applauds the efforts of women’s groups, civil society, and the supportive men who stand as allies in the cause, saying, “Let us make history by enshrining representation that reflects the strength and diversity of Nigeria.”

…says community strength is the real superpower

In a heartfelt message commemorating World Refugee Day 2025, Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called on Nigerians to build inclusive communities that go beyond simply accommodating refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), urging citizens to embrace and support them fully.

“Let us continue to build inclusive communities where refugees and Internally Displaced Persons are not just welcomed, but truly embraced and supported. Once supported, they should reciprocate by being law-abiding and contribute meaningfully to their host community”, the First Lady said in her message on Friday.

World Refugee Day, marked annually on June 20, celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home countries due to conflict, persecution, or natural disasters. 

This year’s theme, “Community as a Superpower,” underscores the transformative role of collective action in restoring dignity and hope to displaced populations.

Read Also: First Lady reaffirms commitment to health, education of girls, women

Senator Tinubu highlighted the resilience of displaced persons globally, noting that while refugees often demonstrate remarkable strength, it is the generosity of communities that helps turn their survival into stories of healing and renewed purpose.

“Across Nigeria and the world, refugees have shown remarkable strength. But it is often the kindness of neighbours, the open arms of strangers, and the unity of communities that turn survival into hope, and hope into healing”, she said.

The First Lady emphasized the critical role that local communities play in the integration and well-being of displaced individuals, urging citizens to see their compassion as a form of national strength.

“Together, as a community, we are stronger,” she affirmed, adding that World Refugee Day serves as a reminder of the shared humanity that binds all people, regardless of their circumstances.

The First Lady has been an advocate for vulnerable groups under her Renewed Hope Initiative, with particular attention to women, children, and displaced populations across the country. 

Her statement aligns with ongoing national and international efforts to provide durable solutions for refugees and IDPs through sustainable development, legal protection, and social inclusion.