Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has revealed that the Olu of Warri and his wife paid her and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu “countless visits” both at the Presidential Villa in Abuja and at their residence in Lagos.
The First Lady who made the disclosure during a visit to Warri Kingdom, described the monarch’s support since the inception of the current administration as “tremendous”, and expressed gratitude for the solidarity shown to the President and his government.
According to her, the royal father and his wife had consistently demonstrated loyalty and encouragement.
“Since the beginning of this administration, both him and the wife have come to the Villa countless times, and also to our house in Lagos,” she said.
“I told Mr President that it was high time I came to Warri Kingdom to show my gratitude for the support and also to pay my homage to the land”, she emphasized.
Mrs Tinubu, who traced her affinity with the Itsekiri people to her upbringing, said the culture had greatly influenced her life over the years.
She described herself as proud of her roots and appreciative of the warm reception accorded her by the people of Warri Kingdom.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s diversity, Tinubu called for unity across religious and ethnic lines, noting that the country’s strength lies in togetherness.
She referenced the coincidental alignment of Christian and Muslim fasting periods as a symbolic reminder of the need for harmony.
“When we are united, that is where God commands blessing,” she stated, urging Nigerians to look beyond divisions and work collectively for national progress.
The First Lady also disclosed that she supported the empowerment of women in Warri Kingdom with N15 million for petty trading, targeting 1,000 beneficiaries.
She added that the gesture was part of her broader commitment to uplifting women and young girls economically.
Mrs Tinubu further assured the people that she would convey their requests and messages to the President, stressing that she does not interfere with governance decisions but believes in her husband’s commitment to doing what is right for Nigerians.
In a separate international engagement in Washington, the First Lady addressed concerns about insecurity in Nigeria during an interview with Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN).
She pushed back against claims that Christians are being systematically targeted for genocide, arguing that Nigeria’s security challenges are more complex.
“I don’t think so,” she said when asked about allegations of Christian genocide. Tinubu explained that violence in parts of the country stemmed from longstanding herder-farmer conflicts, terrorism, kidnapping, poverty, and political instability rather than a deliberate religious extermination campaign.
She warned that labeling the crisis as “genocide” could embolden terrorists to frame their attacks along religious lines. “When the world throws a narrative that it is Christian genocide, they will now key into that and begin to attack churches,” she said.
Her remarks have since generated concerns among commentators and religious groups, some of whom argue that available data and testimonies from affected communities in the Middle Belt and northern Nigeria suggest a pattern of targeted attacks against Christians.
Others like Rufai Oseni in his analysis on Arise TV however, maintain that the situation reflects a security breakdown affecting multiple communities.
While acknowledging the complexity of Nigeria’s security challenges, Mrs. Tinubu reiterated the need for nuanced understanding, insisting that the crisis should not be reduced to a single narrative.
She also used the Washington visit to appreciate international partners supporting Nigeria’s fight against terrorism.
The First Lady, had during her Warri visit, thanked the traditional institution and Delta State for the honour bestowed on her, pledging continued engagement and national service.
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