- The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has come under fire on social media after unveiling a golden statue of the First Lady Oluremi Tinubu
- The monarch commended Mrs Tinubu for her outstanding leadership, dedication to education women’s empowerment and national unity
- Nigerians reacted and some people called him a sycophant and questioned Mrs Tinubu’s achievements that made him erect the statue in her honour
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has faced criticism on social media after unveiling a golden statue of the First Lady Oluremi Tinubu in the Obafemi Awolowo University, Osun State on Thursday, October 10.
Many Nigerians, who thought the statue was quite unnecessary, took to social media to berate the First Lady and the monarch for their insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians in the present administration.
This is coming after Mrs Tinubu defended her husband President Bola Tinubu, saying he should not be blamed for the economic hardship in the country during her visit to Ile Ife.
Oba Ogunwusi also donated a 2.7km Senator Oluremi Tinubu Way, a grand pavilion and a monument to the university, all named after the First Lady.
According to him, “The golden statue was erected to immortalise the First Lady’s virtuous personality and to showcase the strength of a teacher, mother, and wife at the very heart of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife.
“The biggest hostel and pavilion in the history of the Obafemi Awolowo University, which bears her name, represent her efforts to create spaces for learning, development and empowerment for all.”
The Ooni further commended her for her outstanding leadership, dedication to education, women’s empowerment and national unity.
Mrs Tinubu, in turn, donated N1 billion to the university for further development of the school’s infrastructure.
Some Nigerians mocked the statue, calling it ugly and others expressed their disappointment at the Ooni for even thinking about erecting a statue of Mrs Tinubu.
Nigerians react to Oluremi Tinubu’s statue
Many Nigerians, who seem to have given up hope that the country would rise above its challenges, expressed anger and disdain at the country, its people, and the First Lady’s golden statue, claiming that the country could never improve.
They questioned the First Lady’s achievements which led to the erection of a statue in her honour.
Some went on to hurl insults at the monarch for being a part of what they called a show of misplaced priorities and sycophancy.
Here are some of the comments:
@Mosopefoluwa_ posted: “Being the Ooni used to mean something. This one is moving like a SSA.”
@Dreamcastzzz posted: “There's hunger in the land but look at what's on his mind. A fucking statue.”
@trueAFICIONADO posted: “Nothing like first class monarchs anymore in Nigeria......They're all civil servants in political robes.”
@temptee101 posted: “So this statue is what the people of Osun and indeed the entire yoruba needs now? First class king my foot.”
@Ayo_miide_ posted: “The things that keep happening in this country is surreal.”
@kejimicheal posted: “The statue looks exactly like the present situation of Naija.. Unimpressive.”
@pearlddiva posted: “Ooni just dey make mockery of this people culture every eke market day. Are you sure this man has blue bl00d running through his vains? Laugh wan keee me here abeg. Carrrrrrbiesee ooooo!🙌🙌🙌”
@UcheKl posted: “Compare the actions of statesmen and women during the PDP years with the mess going on currently, we’re being led by clueless miscreants.”
@bethelabioke posted: “I can’t even be mad. The statue captured the ugliness of her spirit.”
@precosor posted: “Oni follow for the problem. Truly Nigeria is gone to the GUTTERS ‼️”
@ButterBibi posted: “See wetin una oduduwa custodian dey do. Na why them break hin neck.”
@funanyachukwu posted: “The sycophancy in Nigeria, is the reason for its unfortunate underdevelopment. University environment that should be questioning the status quo are now being used as propaganda machines.”
@Tutsy22 posted: “If l talk now, they will say I am abusing ori ade! See what a first class traditional oba reduced himself to! Abeg wetin Mrs TPain do wey warrant the statue? 🙄”
@Shaakoosh787 posted: “E go just be like say person dey curse his country, but shey this kinda nonsense fit make a country make am… werey citizens.”
@Head_Vampire_D posted: “Some people should go and vandalize this shit abeg. What an ostentatious eyesore .”
@gustavoofota001 posted: “What has Oluremi Tinubu done to affect us in south west not to talk about the whole federation.”
@sledge_baba posted: “Tell me one thing, just one thing she has done to deserve this… Just one.”
@_Ogen posted: “stupidity runs deep in this country.”
@Kolijay99 posted: “She has done nothing to Nigeria to deserve this. Spending such money To respect her? Okay no problem about that. But no one should try to say she's one heroine or anything. She's nothing but the wife of our very able President. To Nigerians, she's nothing more.”
@asiwajuautos1 posted: “What I have come to understand about this country is that everybody dey hustle for their pockets, everybody wan chop, everyone is trying to get the bag.”
@King_AweKay posted: “Yes ooo we are getting there gradually. Remaining Oluremi public holidays across Yoruba land 🤣🤣🤣.”
@avaiilabl posted: “Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Elizabeth Abimbola Awoliyi, Kofo Ademola, Stellah Adadevoh, Dora Akunyili, Onyeka Onwenu, Folake Solanke* All these were female trailblazers but he chose the wife of processed coca leaves bagman who’s causing pain to his subjects. YORUBA RONU!!”
@bibzyCarter posted: “Our leaders are shameless. Political, traditional. All of them!!”
@Refasberry posted: “Absolute sycophancy! That royal and prestigious throne will lose its relevance soon enough because of sh!ts like this.”
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu unveils unity fabric, celebrates young designer Mofinyinfoluwa Bamidele
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that First Lady Oluremi Tinubu unveiled a #OneNigeria/Unity fabric, which was designed by Mofinyinfoluwa Bamidele, a 25-year-old University of Ibadan graduate.
The First Lady disclosed at the unveiling of the fabric on Monday, September 16, that the #OneNigeria/UnityFabric was a competition launched in February 2024, inviting youths aged 15-25 to submit designs symbolising Nigeria’s unity.