• First Lady Oluremi Tinubu endorsed Governor Biodun Oyebanji's re-election bid ahead of the June 20 Ekiti governorship election
• She announced a N100 million empowerment grant for 2,000 women entrepreneurs in Ekiti State
• Oluremi urged residents to vote for Governor Oyebanji, praising his administration's performance

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has thrown her weight behind the re-election bid of Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, while announcing a N100 million empowerment grant for women across the state ahead of the June 20 governorship election.

Speaking at a women’s gathering held at the Ekitikete Pavilion in Ado Ekiti on Saturday, May 30, the First Lady expressed appreciation to residents for their continued support of Governor Oyebanji and his administration, urging them to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the upcoming poll.

“We are here for BAO (Governor Oyebanji). We are here to thank you for your support of BAO and his wife, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji. Vote for Governor Oyebanji,” she told the crowd.

As part of efforts to support women entrepreneurs in the state, Tinubu announced a N100 million grant that will benefit 2,000 women. Each beneficiary is expected to receive N50,000 to strengthen and expand their businesses.

“We are here to thank you because we came in your numbers and waited for us since morning. I have asked the governor’s wife to empower 2,000 women with N50,000 each. It is not a loan, it is to support your businesses,” she said.

The First Lady also hinted at plans to return to Ekiti State ahead of the 2027 presidential election campaign, expressing optimism that Nigeria would witness greater development if President Bola Tinubu secures a second term in office.

During her visit, Tinubu commissioned an Information and Communication Technology Centre at Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti. The project was facilitated through her Renewed Hope Initiative and is aimed at enhancing digital learning opportunities for students.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, called on women in the state to remain steadfast in their support for the APC administration at both state and federal levels.

Also addressing the gathering, Ekiti State First Lady, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, appreciated women in the state for their support and encouraged them to back her husband's re-election bid.

“We should vote for BAO and by January, for Jagaban (President Tinubu). In 2023, it was Ekiti that first released presidential results. It will be massive again by 2027,” she said.

Governor Oyebanji described the First Lady’s visit and interventions as a reflection of her dedication to improving the welfare of Nigerians.

He also acknowledged the support his administration has received from President Bola Tinubu, noting that it had played a significant role in the state's developmental strides.

“All the things we have done, whether in healthcare, road construction, employment and other sectors, would not have been possible without the support of my father, President Tinubu,” the governor said.

He added that the people of Ekiti would reciprocate the Federal Government’s support by backing the President’s re-election bid in 2027.

NANS appeals to First Lady Oluremi Tinubu over abducted Oyo students, teachers

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), South-West Zone D, appealed to Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to use her upcoming official visit to Ekiti State to draw urgent attention to the abduction of teachers and students in Oyo State.

The student body urged the First Lady to leverage the influence of her office to support ongoing efforts aimed at securing the release of the victims abducted in Oriire Local Government Area.