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.
