- First Lady Oluremi Tinubu defended her husband against criticism regarding the country’s economic difficulties
- She emphasised that Tinubu’s administration is very young, urging patience and prayer for future improvements
- The First Lady announced a N1 billion donation to Ọbafẹmi Awolọwọ University during her visit to Ife
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has defended her husband, President Bola Tinubu, saying that he should not be blamed for the economic hardship in the country, pointing out that his administration is still very young.
The wife of the President disclosed this while addressing attendees at the Palace of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Thursday, October 10.
Tinubu expresses optimism for greater Nigeria
She said, “We are just 18 months into our administration; we are not the cause of the current situation; we are trying to fix it and secure the future.
“We know that subsidy has been removed, but with God on our side, in the next two years, Nigeria will be greater than this. Those who attempted removing subsidy before could not see it through. But with your prayers in the next two years, we will build a nation for the future,” Tinubu stated.
Oluremi Tinubu was in Ife to launch a hostel and a 2.7-kilometer road that the Ooni of Ife donated to Ọbafẹmi Awolọwọ University (OAU), Ile Ife, and named after her.
“We are not greedy, and we will not disappoint Nigeria,” Tinubu
The president’s wife expressed that her husband is not greedy and thanked God for allowing him to become Nigeria’s number one citizen.
“We give glory to God for our status, myself and my husband, we are not greedy but we thank God for what God has done for us. It is not common for rich people to get to this seat but I am grateful to God, we can not disappoint Nigeria and with the help of God, we are getting to the promised land in no distant time,” the former senator added.
Tinubu who represented Lagos Central between 2011 and 2023 shared that she graduated from OAU 41 years ago and pledged N1 billion to the university for its development and progress.
Ooni of Ife praises First Lady
In his speech, the Ooni of Ife praised the Wife of the President for being a role model to the youth since her time as First Lady of Lagos State.
“I have been a keen admirer of Senator Oluremi Tinubu as a young man eking out a living in Lagos.
“One of my major attractions was the New Era Initiative especially as it concerns the One Day Governor in Lagos that is totally detribalised and provided opportunities to young secondary school boys and girls to become Governor in Lagos State.
“This has been a milestone and major inspiration for the younger ones to aspire and proper,” Ooni of Ife expressed.
Petrol prices skyrocket from N198 to N1,030
Recall that President Tinubu announced an end to the subsidy during his inaugural speech on May 29, 2023, mentioning that the policy was an obstacle to Nigeria’s progress.
However, Nigerians have been suffering from economic hardship, with petrol prices soaring from N198 to N1,030 since the removal of the fuel subsidy.
The First Lady's statement that her husband, President Bola Tinubu, is not responsible for the country’s economic difficulties has sparked public reactions.
Nigerians react to Oluremi Tinubu’s statement
TheRadar compiled the reactions of the people below:
“Keep defending evil cuz he's your husband and you and your children are beneficiaries. Your husband transferred ownership of NNPC petrol station to his nephew and they increase fuel price three times in two months but you have the audacity to say he's not cause of hardship. NJ,” Lifeissues11 commented.
“Dear T -pain wife, Please we don't want him to work again. Tell him to stop immediately. We are not close to two years a bag of rice is already close to 200k. What if he complete is four years?” Precious stated.
“We all know the strategy. Buhari said he will chase corruption he said that for 8 years nothing changed. Now your husband own is to cancel hardship yet things keep getting worse everyday,” Ayomilekan added.
“So you got the message that your husband is responsible for the hardships, we are still saying it again he is responsible ma,” Rachael Efe commented.
“Mrs Tpain,” KIA stated.
“Tpain wife don talk,” Godwin Ekedum stated.
“This is loose emotional political talk, and Nigeria needs a practical, smart, effective solution, not the withdrawal into a state of denial that officials and ministers repeat shamelessly. I wonder if the responsibility lies with the Nigerian people because they accepted you as rulers and officials, so that they hear this disgrace from you?” Seysaban13 added.
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu unveils unity fabric, celebrates young designer Mofinyinfoluwa Bamidele
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Oluremi Tinubu unveiled #OneNigeria/Unityfabric, a national symbol designed by Mofinyinfoluwa Bamidele, who won N25 million for her winning entry.
The concept for the national fabric was inspired by a similar project seen by Tinubu during her visit to Zimbabwe.