~Willy Okonji, Lagos:
Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria, has called on Nigerians to exercise patience, insisting that her husband, President Bola Tinubu, should not be blamed for the current economic challenges facing the nation.
Addressing the issue of economic hardship at the Palace of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Thursday, she emphasized that the administration is still in its early stages and should be given more time to address the challenges and secure the future of the country.
“We are just 18 months into our administration,” Senator Tinubu stated. “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.”
Her remarks come in response to the mounting frustrations of Nigerians, following the removal of the fuel subsidy, which has seen petrol prices surge from N198 to N1,030 per liter.
Senator Tinubu reassured the public that her husband’s administration is committed to long-term solutions, stating, “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.”
During her visit to Ile Ife, where she inaugurated a hostel and a 2.7-kilometer road at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), the First Lady also reflected on the honor of serving the country. “We give glory to God for our status,” she said.
“My husband and I are not greedy. It is not common for wealthy people to reach this seat, but we thank God for what He has done for us. We will not disappoint Nigeria, and with the help of God, we are getting to the promised land.”
Senator Tinubu, an alumna of OAU, also donated N1 billion to her alma mater, highlighting her dedication to educational development in the country.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi, praised the First Lady for her commitment to youth development, recalling her impactful work during her tenure as First Lady of Lagos State.
“I have been a keen admirer of Senator Oluremi Tinubu since my youth,” he said. “Her New Era Initiative, particularly the One Day Governor program, has been a major inspiration for the younger generation.”
