The first lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called on Nigerians to use the Lenten season for spiritual renewal, reflection, and acts of kindness.

In a message to mark the beginning of Lent, Senator Tinubu encouraged the faithful to deepen their commitment to following Christ’s example of love and service.

She urged Nigerians to embrace the spirit of compassion, show kindness to one another, and remain steadfast in their faith.

The first lady also called on citizens to pray for Nigeria’s peace and prosperity, emphasising the importance of unity in building a strong and progressive nation.

She said, “The Lenten season is a time of repentance, supplication, prayers and good deeds.

“As we begin the season of Lent, may this time strengthen our resolve to follow Christ’s example of love.

I urge us to use this period to draw closer to Christ, show kindness to others and deepen our commitment to serving others.

“Let us walk together in the light of Christ, with hope in our hearts and compassion for all.

“We should also remember our dear nation Nigeria in prayers for peace and prosperity as we all build together a nation that will take her place among the comity of nations.

I wish you a blessed and spiritually rewarding Lenten season.”

Nigeria’s first lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has said the Free to Shine campaign will cover the six geopolitical zones of the country to reduce new HIV infections among women of reproductive age and to prevent mother-to-child transmission.

Sen. Oluremi Tinubu made this known at the flag-off of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) Free To Shine Campaign in the North West zone at Kaduna yesterday.

Tinubu’s wife lamented that Nigeria is the country with the highest burden of HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa due to its large population, adding that ‘’This burden is particularly severe among children, youth, women, and marginalised groups.’’

The first lady also said the Free to Shine campaign aims to ‘’ensure that every child born with HIV receives the necessary treatment and support to thrive”.

‘’To complement the Free to Shine Campaign, I have also decided to advocate for the triple elimination of HIV/AIDS, Syphilis and Hepatitis by 2030. This campaign will cover the nation’s six (6) geopolitical zones.

‘’According to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in 2024, there were over 100,000 children and nearly two million adults living with HIV,” she said.

Speaking at the event, Kaduna State governor Uba Sani commended the first lady for her inspirational leadership, adding, ‘’You have continued to make us proud with the noble causes you are pursuing.’’

First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Remi Tinubu, has pledged her support to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP) in the agency’s ongoing fight against human trafficking.

She made the promise when the Director General of the agency, Hajia Binta Lami Adamu Bello, led the top management of NAPTIP to her office at the State House Abuja.

In a statement by the First Lady’s media aide, Busola Kukoyi, the First Lady, who was briefed on the activities of the Agency particularly the recent raid on a baby factory in Abuja where 19 pregnant young girls were rescued, called on youths to stop making themselves easy targets for traffickers and other criminally minded people by embracing the virtues of patience and hard work.

“The get rich quick syndrome is not helping matters. Even our religious institutions are doing prosperity preaching, Even the bible talks about work.

“The social media is also not helping. Nollywood as well,” she stated.

She pledged her support to the agency, starting with interfacing with wives of State Governors to assist in enhancing awareness and advocacy about its activities.

Earlier, the Director General of NAPTIP, Hajia Binta Lami Adamu Bello, solicited the support of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Tinubu, for NAPTIP’s renewed campaign against human trafficking and GBV.

She explained that it is top on the agenda of the agency , as the trend of trafficking is getting alarming.

“Trafficking in persons is the second largest transnational organized crime in the world after drug trafficking. It is also a huge menace in Nigeria and it requires the buy in and active engagement of critical stakeholders to fight it,” she stated.

She pointed out that despite the agency’s string of successes including the recent rescue of 21 young victims taken from Niger State, enroute Republic of Niger, gaps in resources mobilization and legal frameworks are some of the challenges confronting the operations of the agency.

She highlighted skills acquisition, awareness advocacy, provision of adequate shelter and safe homes in addition to legislative and policy support as some of the areas of intervention needed from the First Lady.

The First Lady also granted audience to the new national executives of the National Council for Women Societies of Nigeria, led by its new National President, Princess Edna Azura.

The delegation was in her office to thank her for her motherly support to the council, especially after the passing of its immediate past National President, Hajia Lami Adamu Lau.

While commending them for working together in unity, the First Lady encouraged the council to do more for their members by taking advantage of Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI programs at the subnational levels.

Senator Tinubu reiterated her commitment to building better families, through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).

The wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has donated 100 million naira to the victims of the Dikko tanker explosion.

Accompanied by the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Kashim Shettima, Senator Tinubu made the donation at the Government House in Minna during a private visit to express condolences to the state regarding the recent tanker explosion in Dikko and other disasters that have occurred in the area.

Senator Tinubu also visited two former Nigerian leaders, Generals Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) and Abdulsalami Abubakar.

She stated that the donation is intended to complement the efforts of the state government in providing relief to the victims of the disaster.

The Wife of the President expressed her sympathy to the government and the people of Niger State over the tragedy and prayed that such incidents would not occur again in the country.

She commended Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago for his developmental initiatives, particularly in agriculture, asserting that he is truly aligned with the President’s vision.

In his remarks, the Governor appreciated the Wife of the President, whom he referred to as his mother, for her visit and the generous donation.

He noted that her visit speaks volumes in strengthening the existing relationship with the state and the Renewed Hope agenda.

During the visit, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, who spoke on behalf of the eight Emirate Councils in the state, expressed gratitude to the Wife of the President for her ongoing support.

He urged her to extend her assistance to the state, particularly in agriculture, to complement the efforts of both the federal and state governments.

The Wife of the President and her entourage had earlier visited the residences of the two former Nigerian leaders, Generals Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar, whom she described as patriarchs of the country.

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Remi Tinubu, has called on citizens to embrace unity, love, and mutual respect as the nation embarks on what she described as “a year of prosperity and abundance.”

In her New Year message to Nigerians, the first lady expressed gratitude to God and optimism for the country’s future under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership.

“As we journey through 2025, let us rise above our differences and rebuild the bridges that connect us—bridges of love, respect, and understanding,” she said. “It is a year to invest in one another to nurture our youth and protect the dignity of our elders, to create a country where every Nigerian can thrive, regardless of where they are born, what they believe, or what language they speak.”

Mrs Tinubu underscored the administration’s commitment to implementing reforms to unlock Nigeria’s economic potential, assuring citizens that transformative changes were underway.

The first lady also emphasised the importance of collective responsibility in nation-building.

“Let us stand together, lifting each other and ensuring no one is left behind. Together, we can build the Nigeria we all desire. Together, we will,” she stated.

Her Excellency concluded her message with a heartfelt wish for a Happy New Year and prayers for the nation’s continued progress.

“God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” she said.

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Wednesday, welcomed Abuja’s first baby of the year 2025 at the Asokoro District Hospital.

Favour Stephen Odion – a baby girl – was born to the family of Mr. Odion Oyinbo and Mrs. Chioma Odion at exactly 12:27am on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, weighing 3.6kg.

In a statement by the Special Assistant to the President on Media & ICT, Kwapchi Bata, the mother of the nation also received other babies born in the hospital, including the first baby boy of the year 2025, Zimchikachim Ejiofor, born to the family of Mr. Ejiofor Nworie and Mrs. Delight Nworie at about 7:14am on Wednesday, weighing 3kg.

Senator Tinubu welcomed Favour and all the other children born on New Year Day in the FCT with baby gifts, including post-natal care products and other nutritional supplies, as well as cash presents.

The First Lady, who was represented by the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, prayed for God to protect the children, wishing them long life, good health, and prosperity.

She said, “I am here to represent the mother of the nation to welcome the first baby of the year and other children. So, I’m presenting this token and a beautiful package to our dear daughter. I want to wish her well – long life, prosperity, good health. Insha Allah, they (first baby and other babies) are the next generation to take over from us. I wish you all the best. Please take good care of her.”

While congratulating and comforting the mothers of the newborn babies, the First Lady counselled them on the need for proper care for the babies in respect of exclusive breastfeeding, immunization, and timely post-natal care, saying, “Good enough, this (Asokoro General Hospital) is closer to my house; I’m sure for the post-natal, they’re going to take good care of you.”

She further presented birth certificates to the first baby of the year and the first baby boy just as she moved around the maternity ward congratulating other new babies in the hospital.

Earlier, the acting Chief Medical Director of Asokoro District Hospital, Abuja, Dr. Rosemary Nwokorie, while welcoming the First Lady, commended President Bola Tinubu administration for its unwavering commitment to transforming the nation’s health sector, with a view to improving the healthcare services for every Nigerian.

Nwokorie also applauded the First Lady and the wife of the Vice President for creating various intervention programmes, especially the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) toward assisting vulnerable Nigerians, especially women and children in the country.

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