Tag: Oluremi Tinubu

First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has announced the distribution of 370,000 disposable sanitary pads to schoolgirls in rural communities across the country, as part of efforts to promote menstrual hygiene and support girl-child education.

Mrs Tinubu made the announcement yesterday during the launch of a new national programme titled: “Flow with Confidence”, held at The DOME in Akure, Ondo State.

The event brought together hundreds of schoolgirls from across the state.

Represented by the wife of the Ondo State Governor, Mrs Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, the First Lady said the initiative was designed to restore dignity, improve hygiene and boost confidence among young girls, especially those who missed school during their menstrual cycle due to lack of sanitary products.

According to her, each state of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), will receive 10,000 packs of sanitary pads through their First Ladies and Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) coordinators.

“We will be distributing a one-year supply of disposable sanitary pads to 370,000 schoolgirls in rural communities across the nation. This is to support our girls in rural communities and those who are unable to afford sanitary pads,” she said.

Mrs Tinubu noted that disposable sanitary pads were chosen because they provide a simple and hygienic option that safeguards women’s reproductive health.

“For us at the Renewed Hope Initiative, no girl should ever have to choose between her dignity and her education,” she added.

She urged local government chairmen and their wives to ensure that the pads reach girls who genuinely need them and warned that the items must not be sold under any circumstance.

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The first lady expressed concern that many girls resort to unsafe alternatives during menstruation, while others stay away from school entirely, risking poor academic performance and school dropout.

The Ondo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Oluwaseun Osamaye, commended Senator Tinubu for what she described as a bold national intervention that speaks to the dignity and well-being of Nigerian girls.

She said the initiative aligns with the state government’s human capital development agenda under Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

“Today’s programme speaks directly to the health, dignity and educational continuity of our girls. It is a bold declaration that menstrual health is a right, not a privilege,” she said.

Osamaye lauded the first lady for her “leadership of empathy, service and hope,” and thanked the state governor and his wife for hosting the national launch.

The state commissioner for Education, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun lauded Senator Tinubu for the programme, saying it would significantly boost the confidence of schoolgirls across the country.

Ajibefun praised Mrs Aiyedatiwa for her active involvement in issues affecting the girl child.

First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has called on government institutions, technology companies, civil society, and citizens to take bold and coordinated actions to make Nigeria’s digital spaces safe, inclusive, and respectful for women and girls.

The First Lady made the appeal in a message commemorating the 2025 International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, marked globally on November 25. 

This year’s theme, “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls,” focuses attention on the growing threats of online harassment, exploitation, and gender-based hate.

Senator Tinubu said digital platforms, intended to encourage learning, connection, and productivity, have increasingly become spaces where women and girls face bullying, blackmail, stalking, and targeted misogyny. 

She warned that the rise of online abuse constitutes a serious and often invisible extension of gender-based violence.

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“Digital spaces should foster genuine human connection, facilitate learning, and promote productivity, not fear. I call on government institutions, especially the legislature and the judiciary, technology companies, civil society, and every Nigerian to take bold action to make digital spaces safe, inclusive, and respectful for all”, she said.

Expressing solidarity with survivors of gender-based violence across the country, the First Lady described any form of violence, offline or online, as an assault on the dignity, safety, and potential of women and girls. 

She urged continued advocacy, strengthened legal protections, and institutional accountability to curb both physical and digital abuse.

Senator Tinubu reaffirmed commitment to championing the rights and well-being of Nigerian women and girls, while encouraging nationwide reflection and renewed resolve to eliminate all forms of violence against women.

…says Nigeria will not disintegrate

…Tinubu is not against help – Deputy Speaker Kalu

… Nigeria needs urgent help to tackle kidnapping, insecurity – Archbishop Onuoha

Following the level of insecurity in the country, the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Remi Tinubu, has said Nigeria welcomes help from foreign countries, but not with intimidation.

She emphasised that Nigeria will never be disgraced.  

The First Lady spoke in Abuja on Sunday during a thanksgiving service for the Investiture and presentation of Most Rev Sunday Onuoha as Archbishop on Special Duties at the Methodist Church Nigeria. 

Senator Tinubu said Nigeria will come out of the present situation stronger and better in peace with disintegration.

Represented by the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Bishop Stephen Adegbite, she underscored the significance of prayer in preserving Nigeria’s unity and stability.

The First Lady said, “You must continue to pray for our nation, continue to pray for the church. Nobody should live in denial.

“Just like every other nation, Nigeria needs help. But our help will come from God, who is the maker of heaven and earth. He will not allow our feet to stumble. He is the one who is keeping watch over us.

“The lord will prevent Nigeria from going into disarray day and night. Every time we call upon God, he will be there for us.  Whoever wants to give Nigeria help is welcome, but never with intimidation. Nigeria will never be a disgraceful nation. Nigeria is our pride. Nigeria is our hope. Nigeria will not disintegrate.

“Nigeria will remain one indivisible entity because next week we go into harvest. God will be with Nigeria. He stood with the Israelites for 40 years in the wilderness, and they came out. And by the grace of God, Nigeria will come out stronger. The coming Christmas will be celebrated in peace and joy, and it shall be well with Nigeria”.

Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, also said President Bola Tinubu is not against help, but he wants help that will further unite the country and not the one that will divide its citizens.

He said Tinubu listens to every detail and he always takes the right decision in the interest of the country 

Kalu said he will support any intervention from a foreign country that will not result in confrontation, adding that he will embrace any help that does not challenge the sovereignty of Nigeria.

He commended the celebrant for his steadfastness and concern for the church and the entire country.  

He said, “It’s difficult to build a nation without having the stakeholders, you know, on the table. And the stakeholders, if you are drawing the stakeholders’ engagement list, you cannot leave the church, the faith-based organization. And this administration recognizes that. That is why we are placing relevance on what comes out of the church. You know, what should come out should be a message of hope. Yes, we are passing through a troubled time.

“When a nation is in need of help, as long as there is no confrontation, every nation will embrace help the same way we have embraced funds, in the form of loans and all the rest of them. If we need help with regards to security, which does not challenge the sovereignty of our nation, which does not brand us as a disgraceful nation, which does not make us look like we don’t know what we are doing, we can always partner with our allies to make sure that the help that is needed is gotten for our nation. And I think the president is not averse to that. Mr. President is a democrat, and he’s reaching out. One of the first things he did when he came into power was to go around to give legitimacy to his government by making sure he extended a hand of friendship across the globe.

“Those hands of friendship extended. They will not be against Nigeria. They will be for Nigeria and solving Nigeria’s problems.

“We need messages that will increase our progress and unity. And that was what I was saying. The man who was promoted to Archbishop today has been a man who has shown that being in the church does not mean turning your back on the states. There has been a bridge between the states and the faiths.

“He asked all the organizations that had to do with peace, any type of faith relationship. And that is the kind of energy the country needs at the moment. The energy that says, that though our tribes and tongues and faiths leave us in brotherhood, we stand”.

In his sermon, the Archbishop of Special Duties, Methodist Church Nigeria, Most Rev. Sunday Onuoha, raised the alarm over recent kidnappings and insecurity in the country.

Onuoha warned that Nigeria must seek urgent help before the situation deteriorates further.

The clergyman lamented that the nation borrows money and technology needed for survival, adding that it’s time to seek help from foreign countries to also tackle insecurity.

Onuoha said Nigeria should not continue, “Pretending that all is well”, when citizens are being abducted and vulnerable groups attacked across communities.

According to him, “Nigeria is facing a serious security crisis. Wherever we come from, it is time to stand up and say: enough.”

The cleric warned that denial is worsening the national condition, stressing that people must stop “saying peace when there is no peace”.

Onuoha, who served under former President Olusegun Obasanjo as Special Assistant on Privatization Matters, said, “Our young people are being taken; our women are assaulted. When we lack the skills to fix what is wrong, someone who can do it must step forward. If there is anyone who can help, please come and help us.”

He said government officials often struggled to speak openly because of diplomatic constraints, adding that citizens must therefore take responsibility for speaking the truth.

“On behalf of the government, the church, and every ordinary worker, let help come immediately — not tomorrow. Now. Right now,” he appealed.

The archbishop also warned that unresolved violence would shape the next generation, insisting that healing would only come when Nigerians rise above ethnic, religious, and class divisions.

He noted that hunger, sickness, sunshine, and rainfall had no tribe or religion, stressing that “we are one family under God”.

Onuoha said national progress had been crippled by selfishness and deceit, adding that, “righteousness exalts a nation, but wrongdoing breaks it”.

He urged Nigerians to confront the truth, discard bitterness, and embrace a fresh start.

“When our national teams are playing football, no one cares about the tribe. When you board an aircraft, you don’t ask the pilot’s religion. Safety is always on the mind of everyone,” he said.

Onuoha reminded leaders that power was temporary, warning against pride and arrogance.

“Look at our nation today: when people enjoy power, they become unreachable. But when power leaves, they become ordinary again. Even phones that once rang nonstop suddenly stop ringing,” he said.

He emphasised that God had not abandoned Nigeria, but was calling the country to repentance, justice, and unity.

“Something is wrong. Something is not right. As a country, we are hiding wounds instead of healing them,” he added.

The archbishop urged the nation to stop pretending and begin rebuilding with truth and accountability at the centre.

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He advised all to embrace peace and unity at all times and be our brother’s keeper, no matter the religion.

Onuoha said, “I have been to every corner of this country. I have travelled, I have been to villages, I have been to homes, I have seen people afflicted. And as I move around, I have not seen somebody who, when he is crying, the tear that comes out of his eyes has a religion on it or has a tribe in it. And as soon as we understand the fact that people suffer as human beings, we can work together. The people causing our problem may be less than 0.2 percent.

“And we have over 230 million people, men of goodwill and conscience, who come together and work together in collaboration with people who are suffering as human beings. I want support. I also believe that even in some communities where people are persecuted, they are convinced that they know who their enemies are. And they need help. And all of us should rise together and provide that help.

“Definitely. We need help. If somebody thinks we don’t need help, that person is in denial. And maybe the person who thinks we don’t need help may be a suspect. So, we need help. And wherever that help comes from, we should go for it. We borrow money. The money we borrow is not ours. We go out to seek help for other things. Why can’t we seek help in security? We need it.

“That’s what I have been saying. If you rise and I rise, all of us rise; Nigeria will be great. Let us not demonize somebody next to you. Let us not demonize people of other faiths. Let us treat what is happening to us as one and that we are in trouble, all of us. Christians, Muslims, and even people who don’t believe in God, we are in trouble. We have enemies around us. Until we come together, we are wasting our time.

“Let’s forget about this blame game. How many people were killed? The people killed belong to which community? It is human blood that we are losing. As a church, there is a special need for peace”.

Former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, said the present situation in the country needs urgent attention from all.

Okorocha said Nigeria needs peace and unity.

He applauded Archbishop Onuoha for his good works in the church and for humanity.   

Former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, expressed hope that Nigeria will surmount the present challenges and that God is in control.

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has charged beneficiaries of the 2025 Women ICT Training and Empowerment Programme to put their newly acquired digital skills to practical use, pursue continuous learning, and mentor other women and girls across the country.

Speaking on Thursday at the closing ceremony of the programme, jointly organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), the First Lady said the participants now carry the responsibility of driving digital literacy and empowerment within their communities.

“I encourage you to apply the skills you have learned, pursue continuous growth, and mentor other women and girls to embrace opportunities in the digital space,” she told the 2025 cohort at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.

Senator Tinubu described the participants as “ambassadors of digital literacy,” noting that their creativity and determination reflect the expanding impact of the initiative.

She expressed confidence that the knowledge they have acquired will spark innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustained empowerment in the years ahead.

The First Lady highlighted the growth of the programme since its inception, recalling that it started with a pioneering group of women in 2023 before expanding significantly in 2024, when 252 young women, 40 from each geopolitical zone and the FCT, underwent intensive ICT training and emerged as Digital Literacy Champions.

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For the 2025 edition, she said the programme was implemented across Bauchi, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Imo, Edo, Ondo States, and the FCT, with a total of 320 beneficiaries.

These included 40 women from each selected zone, 40 from the FCT, and an additional 40 stakeholders, all trained in essential digital skills aimed at improving their socio-economic prospects.

Senator Tinubu emphasised that the collaboration between NITDA and the Renewed Hope Initiative falls under the Economic Empowerment scope of RHI and aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to fast-track economic diversification through industrialisation and digitalisation.

“By providing ICT training to women across all regions of Nigeria, we are laying solid foundations for a digital future where more women and girls can thrive, innovate, and lead,” she said.

The First Lady expressed appreciation to the Director-General of NITDA, Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, his team, state first ladies, and Renewed Hope Initiative coordinators for their commitment to the programme’s success.

She also commended the facilitators and trainers whose efforts, she noted, had “opened doors for women across the nation.”

Earlier, Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, praised the First Lady for her leadership and support in advancing digital empowerment for women.

He said the initiative aligns with President Tinubu’s broader goals of economic diversification, human capital development, and inclusivity.

Abdullahi noted that Nigeria is targeting a 70 per cent digital literacy rate by 2027, and that NITDA, working with the Ministry of Education, is integrating digital literacy into the national curriculum from early childhood to tertiary education.

Several universities, he added, have already adopted digital literacy as a general studies requirement.

He said the women trained have acquired foundational digital skills, including device and software use, data literacy, content creation, digital marketing, online safety, problem-solving, and insight into the gig economy.

“You can live in Aba and work remotely for clients in Lagos, Abuja, or even outside Nigeria. The future is the gig economy, and knowledge gives you power,” he told the beneficiaries.

The DG reported that between 2023 and 2024, NITDA trained more than 1.1 million Nigerians in various digital skills.

Under the women-focused partnership alone, the DG reported that 607 women have benefited, while in 2025, 510,000 Nigerians, including 10,000 teachers and 32,000 civil servants, have already been trained.

“To truly touch lives, we must prioritise women. When we empower women, we empower families and strengthen communities. Strong communities lead to a more inclusive and prosperous nation,” he said.

In attendance were wives of senior government officials, including the wife of the Deputy Senate President; the wife of the Chief of Staff to the President; several state First Ladies; wives of ministers; and wives of service chiefs, including those of the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General of the DSS.

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu on Tuesday charged the wives of newly appointed service chiefs to fully support their husbands as they assume critical national security roles, stressing that their complementary responsibilities are vital to the fight against insecurity.

“You are playing a supportive and complementary role to them. I expect that you will work hard with your husbands, hard to meet the expectations of the Commander-in-Chief and Nigerians in the fight against insecurity,” the First Lady said during an audience with the women at the State House, Abuja.

Senator Tinubu said the service chiefs had signed up to protect the nation “at the expense of their own lives,” and prayed for their success as they undertake their new assignments.

According to a statement issued by her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi, the First Lady reminded their spouses that the demands of the moment call for collective sacrifice, commitment, and unwavering support on the home front.

Before the meeting commenced, the First Lady called for a minute of silence in honour of the Vice Principal of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State, who was killed during the recent abduction of 25 schoolgirls.

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She condemned the attack as “very unfortunate and sad,” calling it a painful reminder of the urgent security challenges confronting the nation.

Senator Tinubu also urged her guests to continue prioritising care for the elderly, noting that the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) would hold its annual RHI/Elderly Support Programme nationwide in December, with military veterans among the beneficiaries.

Responding on behalf of the delegation, Mrs Elizabeth Egbetokun, wife of the Inspector General of Police, praised the First Lady for her sustained empowerment initiatives, scholarship awards, provision of healthcare consumables, and other interventions benefiting vulnerable Nigerians.

In a separate engagement, the First Lady received the management of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), during which Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed decorated her as the Grand Matron of the Road Safety Special Marshal.

Senator Tinubu thanked the Commission for the honour and called for greater adoption of technology and improved inter-agency collaboration to reduce road accidents.

She expressed hope for stricter enforcement of speed limits through modern systems and urged the deployment of more FRSC personnel nationwide during the upcoming yuletide season.

The First Lady said these measures would significantly help reduce crashes and enhance safety on Nigerian roads.

…Commissions Gender, Public Policy Centre in Kuru

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu on Tuesday declared that genuine progress in the country’s political and socio-economic landscape can only be achieved when men and women stand as allies, working together to dismantle stereotypes, expand opportunities and strengthen the nation’s shared humanity.

Speaking at the commissioning of the Oluremi Tinubu Gender and Public Policy Studies Centre at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, the First Lady said the Centre’s inclusive approach to gender issues represents a decisive shift toward equity in national development.

According to a statement issued by her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi, the First Lady said “I am particularly pleased that the Centre’s approach includes both men and women, recognising that inclusion must be a shared national agenda. Actual progress will come when both genders stand as allies, working together to dismantle stereotypes, open opportunities, and strengthen our collective humanity”.

Senator Tinubu hailed the organisers of the project—participants of the Senior Executive Course 45 (2023) of NIPSS—describing their foresight as a meaningful contribution to Nigeria’s policy architecture. 

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She said the establishment of the Centre was evidence of a bold step in placing gender issues at the centre of governance and strategic thought.

“This project would not have become a reality if not for the foresight of participants of the Senior Executive Course 45 who conceived, funded, and executed what we are seeing today. I applaud your vision and generosity; this gesture will leave a lasting legacy on our nation’s policy landscape,” she noted.

She added that the Centre aligns firmly with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritises harnessing the full potential of every citizen regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion or economic status. 

With the Centre now operational, she said, Nigeria can expect more transformative public policy research and inclusive development initiatives.

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, in his goodwill message, expressed optimism that the Centre will stimulate deeper engagement on gender representation, including debates on reserved seats for women in the legislature and executive arms of government. 

He emphasised that women remain indispensable to national progress.

Also speaking, Chairman of the NIPSS Board and former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani, praised the decision to name the Centre after Senator Tinubu, describing her as a “go-getter” whose commitment to national progress is widely recognised. 

He urged government and stakeholders to give urgent attention to the institute ahead of its 50th anniversary, noting that many structures within the facility require refurbishment.

In support of the Centre’s operations, the First Lady announced a donation of N250 million.