By Joke Kujenya
EXPRESSIONS OF joy and admiration reverberate across the country on Sunday as Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, marked her 65th birthday.
Her husband, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu serenades his wife with romantic vibes shared across regular and social media platforms.
Following the President was the Vice President, governors, and other state officials as tributes poured with each one celebrating her as a woman whose quiet strength, dignity, and service had touched lives at home and abroad.
In no time, the First Lady’s birthday became not just a personal affair but a moment of collective acknowledgement of her role in individual and national life.
President Tinubu in his affectionate note revealed a deeply personal message that intertwined his private devotion with his public role as leader of the nation.
He described his wife as “the love of my life” and “the steady flame illuminating my path.”
Reflecting on their decades together, he recalled her sacrifices during his years of political exile, her loyalty during struggles for democracy, and her unwavering patience through the responsibilities of leadership.
He said she had stood “firmly by my side with dignity, patience, and devotion that words can scarcely express.”
The President’s tribute also highlighted not just her role as a wife and mother but as someone who had served the country in ways not always visible.
“Nigeria owes you more than many will ever know,” he wrote, emphasising the countless sacrifices she made in private that contributed to his public service.
“He concluded with a prayer for her health and fulfilment, declaring that he loved her more than ever.
Also, Vice President Kashim Shettima added his own heartfelt tribute, calling Senator Oluremi Tinubu “the inestimable mother of our great nation.”
He wrote that her 65 years represented far more than age — they stood as testimony to decades of compassion, resilience, and unyielding support to her husband and to the nation.
Shettima reflected on her visible impact through the Renewed Hope Initiative, which he said had “touched millions of lives” across Nigeria.
According to the VP, her role in women’s empowerment, youth development, education, and support for the needy marked her as not only a First Lady but a stateswoman in her own right.
“When the history of this great nation and in particular President Tinubu’s administration is written, your name will be inscribed in gold,” Shettima said, stressing her legacy as both a partner in governance and a beacon of hope to Nigerians.
From Delta State, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori issued a formal message describing the First Lady as a “beacon of grace, compassion, and exemplary leadership,” stressing her consistent impact on Nigeria’s national development.
He praised her tireless advocacy for women’s empowerment and youth engagement, noting that her work under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) had emerged as a source of inspiration and support for countless vulnerable citizens.
The Governor listed specific interventions — scholarships for underprivileged students, food supplies to struggling families, and assistance for smallholder farmers and people with disabilities – as clear evidence of her dedication to uplifting communities.
Oborevwori said her journey represented “an extraordinary testament to service and dedication” and prayed for her continued good health and divine wisdom, while extending the gratitude of the Delta people.
From Lagos, the Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, also joined the chorus of tributes with a message filled with admiration and respect.
He expressed “heartfelt wishes” to the First Lady, noting her “dedication, grace, and unwavering commitment to the development and progress of Nigeria.”
According to Osiyemi, her leadership and support remained a source of motivation for public officials and ordinary Nigerians alike.
He prayed for her happiness, good health, and many more years of vibrant service to the nation, adding that she embodied the qualities of selflessness and inspiration that Nigerians looked up to.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu
With the tributes come reflection on her years in the Nigerian Senate highlighting her impact in public service which predates her current role.
Before her emergence as the nation’s foremost woman, Oluremi Tinubu had carved out a distinct path in Nigerian politics through her twelve years in the Senate representing Lagos Central.
She was first elected in 2011 under the banner of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which later merged into the All Progressives Congress (APC).
She later secured re-election in 2015 and 2019, making her one of the few women to serve three consecutive terms in the National Assembly.
During her tenure, she was known for active engagement in legislative duties and strong advocacy on issues affecting women, children, and vulnerable groups.
She sponsored and co-sponsored bills and motions focused on social protection, education, and environmental management.
As a legislator, she raised debates on the need for quality education, greater inclusion of women in governance, and improved welfare for widows, orphans and held quarterly town-hall meetings with members of her constituency to render accounts of her stewardship.
She was also vocal on matters of national concern, often aligning her contributions with her long-standing passion for humanitarian service.
Her work in the Senate also extended to constituency projects across Lagos Central, where she established scholarship schemes for indigent students, built ICT and skill acquisition centres, and promoted healthcare initiatives for communities.
During her years as Lagos State First Lady from 1999 to 2007 while her husband was governor, she also outlined initiatives from her office, including campaigns against drug abuse and gender-based violence, as well as the Lagos Boy Child and School Support programmes.
She further urged students to stay committed to their studies, assuring them of government support for quality learning environments.
To boost these, she hosted Spelling Bee Competitions for students across the country which often produced One Day Governor to honour and encourage brilliant pupils.
In 2016, she unveiled a Youth Empowerment and Skill Acquisition Scheme that provided vocational training to young Nigerians, preparing them for self-reliance in trades such as fashion, catering, and computer technology.
She also frequently bridged the gap between legislative work and community development, reflecting a model of constituency engagement rooted in service.
Her diverse interventions directly impacted thousands of young people, widows, and small-scale entrepreneurs. Constituents regularly cited her accessibility and responsiveness as qualities that distinguished her representation.
Cumulatively, her 12 years in the Senate not only reinforced her political experience but also provided the foundation for her current initiatives as First Lady.
With her Renewed Hope Initiative carrying her humanitarian vision nationwide, many described that as an extension of the empowerment and welfare programmes she had advanced in Lagos Central.
The publisher and management of JKNewsMedia.com join the President and Nigeria in wishing our amiable First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, many more years of health, grace, and impactful service.
