Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has drawn from her nearly four decades of marriage to President Bola Tinubu to urge Nigerians to abandon what she described as an “entitlement mentality” and instead embrace responsibility, integrity, and service.

Oluremi Tinubu made the remark while hosting an interfaith Breaking of Fast (Iftar/Lent) for women from different sectors across the country.

This was disclosed in a statement on Thursday signed by her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi.

Speaking during the gathering, the First Lady highlighted how mutual respect and maturity have sustained her marriage of almost 40 years with President Tinubu, saying the same values should guide relationships and leadership in the country.

“And I can tell you, I cannot remember when both of us raised our voices at each other. Maybe not more than twice in the 40 years, I can tell you that.

“So we’ve been quite mature and respectful about that. And I believe that’s the best way to live together,” she said.

She noted that the coincidence of the Muslim Ramadan fast and the Christian Lenten season carries a significant message for Nigeria about unity and peaceful coexistence.

“Today, like I said, is indeed a great day. It is a day that God only made for us to gather together, and for women, first, from different backgrounds. Since the Ramadan fast was announced and the Lenten season began together, it was like God was speaking to us as a nation,” she said.

According to her, despite attempts by some people to create division along religious lines, Nigerians have historically lived together peacefully regardless of their faiths.

“Recently, we know a lot of things have been going on, and people are trying to target our religious beliefs… And we Nigerians, we know that most of the time that is not the case. Some of us are married to men of different faiths, and we lived together among us for many years. Me, almost 40 years,” she noted.

Drawing lessons from her marital experience, the First Lady urged Nigerians to abandon what she described as an “entitlement mentality,” stressing that citizens must focus on contributing positively to society.

She also encouraged women whose husbands hold public offices, as well as those occupying leadership positions, to recognize their roles in promoting responsible leadership and national development.

“Most women in this room, either you have your own office, or your husband is in the public office… you as the wife have a role to play,” she added.

She further stressed the need for Nigerians to mentor younger generations, noting that the country’s future depends on the guidance and values passed on to them.

In a lecture delivered at the event, a director at the National Open University of Nigeria, Prof. Ganiyat Adejoke Adesina-Uthman, raised concerns about what she described as a crisis of trust in public office.

Speaking on the topic, “Serving with Excellence, Compassion, and Integrity in Public Life,” she emphasized that integrity remains a non-negotiable value for anyone in public service.

The Kano State House of Assembly has begun impeachment proceedings against the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.

The impeachment notice was presented during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action was taken in line with Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

Dala told lawmakers that the notice contains several allegations linked to Abdussalam’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government between 2023 and 2024, as well as actions allegedly taken in his current role as deputy governor.

According to him, the accusations center on the diversion of local government funds, abuse of office, and other conduct regarded as impeachable under the constitution.

Dala alleged that while supervising the administration of the state’s 44 local government councils, Abdussalam was involved in diverting funds meant for council operations. He claimed that between June 2023 and January 2024, the deputy governor received N1.5 million monthly from each of the 44 local government areas.

The Majority Leader said the arrangement amounted to N66 million monthly over seven months, bringing the total to N462 million. He described the alleged payments as a serious breach of public trust that undermines confidence in governance.

He further alleged that from February to July 2024, Abdussalam received additional payments under the pretext of executing special assignments. According to him, each local government council allegedly paid N3.255 million monthly during the six-month period, bringing the total to about N726 million.

Dala maintained that the alleged transactions violated the principles of transparency and accountability expected of public office holders.

The impeachment notice also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office in connection with another transaction. Dala claimed Abdussalam facilitated payments of N10 million each from the 44 local government councils to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited.

He said the payments, amounting to N440 million, were allegedly carried out in violation of the state’s procurement and fiscal management regulations.

“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and is contrary to the obligations of public office,” the majority leader said while presenting the notice.

He added that the cumulative allegations amount to gross misconduct as defined under Section 188(2) of the constitution.

Dala explained that gross misconduct includes serious constitutional violations or grave wrongdoing by a public officer, arguing that the alleged diversion of funds and abuse of office represent a fundamental breach of constitutional and ethical standards.

The Majority Leader also informed the House that the impeachment notice was endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional threshold required to initiate the process.

He urged the Speaker to ensure that the notice is transmitted to the deputy governor in accordance with the law.

“Based on the foregoing allegations, we hereby resolve that His Excellency, Aminu Abdussalam, the Deputy Governor of Kano State, be impeached and removed from office in accordance with the provisions of Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Dala said.

Following the presentation, members of the Assembly signaled support for the notice. The Speaker acknowledged receipt of the document and is expected to formally notify the deputy governor as stipulated by law.

Under constitutional procedure, once the notice is served, the House may request the Chief Judge of the state to constitute an investigative panel if the motion secures the required majority.

This comes after Governor Abba Yusuf defected to the All Progressives Party. However, former Governor of the State Rabiu Kwankwaso condemned Abba’s defection.