Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has urged Nigerians to abandon what she described as an “entitlement mentality,” stressing the need for citizens to embrace responsibility, integrity and service in their various roles.
This was made known in a statement on Thursday signed by her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi.
The statement said Oluremi Tinubu made the call while hosting an interfaith Breaking of Fast (Iftar/Lent) for women, drawn from different sectors across the country.
Speaking during the gathering, the First Lady said the coincidence of the Muslim Ramadan fast and the Christian Lenten season carries an important message for the nation about 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 people to create division along religious lines, Nigerians have historically lived together 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 Bola Tinubu, explaining that 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.
Senator Tinubu also urged Nigerians to abandon what she described as an “entitlement mentality,” stressing that citizens must focus on contributing positively to society.
She also encouraged women whose husbands hold public offices, as well as those occupying leadership positions, to recognise their roles in promoting responsible leadership and national development.
“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.
She further stressed the need for Nigerians to mentor younger generations, noting that the country’s future depends on the guidance and values passed on to them.
In a lecture delivered at the event, a Director at the National Open University of Nigeria, Prof. Ganiyat Adejoke Adesina-Uthman, raised concerns about what she described as a crisis of trust in public office.
Speaking on the topic, “Serving with Excellence, Compassion and Integrity in Public Life On excellence,” she emphasized that integrity remains a non-negotiable value for anyone in public service.
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