Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has urged citizens to abandon what she described as an “entitlement mentality,” emphasizing the need for responsibility, integrity and service in their respective roles.
The call was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi.
According to the statement, the First Lady made the remarks while hosting an interfaith breaking of fast gathering for women from various sectors across the country.
During the event, which brought together participants observing both Ramadan and Lent, Tinubu said the coincidence of the Muslim fasting period and the Christian Lenten season carries an important message for national 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.
She noted that despite attempts by some individuals to create division along religious lines, Nigerians have historically coexisted peacefully regardless of their faiths.
“Recently, we know a lot of things have been going on and people are trying to target towards 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 from her personal experience, the First Lady referenced her nearly four decades of marriage to President Bola Tinubu, saying mutual respect and understanding have helped sustain their relationship.
“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 added.
Tinubu also urged Nigerians to move away from what she described as an entitlement mindset, stressing that citizens should focus on contributing positively to national development.
She further encouraged women whose husbands hold public offices, as well as those occupying leadership positions, to recognize their role in promoting responsible leadership.
“Most women in this room, either you have your own office, or your husband is in the public office… you as the wife has the role to play,” she added.
The First Lady also highlighted the importance of mentoring younger generations, noting that the country’s future depends on the values and guidance passed on to them.
At the event, a Director at the National Open University of Nigeria, Ganiyat Adejoke Adesina-Uthman, delivered a lecture where she raised concerns about what she described as a growing crisis of trust in public office.
Speaking on the topic, “Serving with Excellence, Compassion and Integrity in Public Life On excellence,” she stressed that integrity remains a non negotiable value for anyone in public service.
