By JKNewsMedia
NIGERIA’s FIRST Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has responded to the viral video showing nursing students in Delta State rejecting a song that referred to her as the “mother of the nation.”
In a statement released on Friday, the First Lady’s office acknowledged the students’ reaction as a spontaneous and playful expression.
The statement, issued by her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi, stressed that educational institutions should foster environments where students feel safe to express themselves while maintaining decorum.
It reaffirmed that the purpose of the First Lady’s visit was to motivate midwives and healthcare professionals in their roles in reducing infant and maternal mortality across the country.
“The Office of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has taken note of a video circulating on social media, capturing chants welcoming both her and the First Lady of Delta State during the Renewed Hope Initiative’s donation of 10,000 Professional Kits to Midwives in the South-South zone at the Dome Event Centre, Asaba, Delta State, on Tuesday, 25th March 2025.
While the primary goal of the event was to inspire and uplift midwives nationwide in their commitment to reducing maternal and infant mortality; the First Lady deeply appreciates the warm reception from the Delta State Government, the people of Delta State, and the enthusiasm shown by nurses, midwives, women groups, and student nurses present at the event.
“However, a section of the video, allegedly recorded by some students, depicted a spontaneous and playful reaction to the welcome song. It has come to our attention that some students from the Delta State College of Nursing Sciences were issued a query regarding their participation in the chants. While the Office of the First Lady respects institutions’ rights to uphold discipline, it is crucial to recognize that students, in moments of excitement, often express themselves light-heartedly.
“The Office of the First Lady believes educational institutions should encourage a safe environment for expression while maintaining discipline. The First Lady’s visit aimed to motivate healthcare professionals, and we trust that the institution will approach this matter with fairness and understanding.”
Following the First Lady’s statement, the Delta State Government also intervened in the controversy, directing the withdrawal of the query issued to Osato Edobor, a student at the Delta State College of Nursing Sciences.
Edobor had posted a video of the event, highlighting the students’ rejection of the First Lady’s designation as their “mother.”
The college management issued a query to Edobor, citing that her actions violated institutional standards as outlined in the Student Handbook under “Standardised Disciplinary Action for Some Punishable Offences No. 8, Page 21.”
The letter demanded that she provide a written explanation within 24 hours of receipt.
However, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, ordered the query’s withdrawal, affirming that the government does not intend to victimise any student. In a video statement, Dr. Onojaeme stated:
“On the trending letter of query issued to the student of the School of Nursing, Agbor, I have instructed the provost to withdraw the letter. We do not want to victimise any of the students. I have also reached out to the student in question, and she has confirmed to me that the letter was withdrawn last night.”
The Delta State Government also reiterated its commitment to students’ rights and academic freedom. A statement on the state government’s official X handle read:
“The Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, has directed the immediate withdrawal of the query issued to Nursing Student Osato Edobor by the Provost of the School of Nursing Sciences, Agbor.
“This decision by the Commissioner for Health stems from a commitment to ensuring that the rights of every student in health sciences and related health programmes are upheld, thereby fostering a conducive learning environment for academic excellence.”
