Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has declared that the country is on the verge of entering a new era of prosperity, saying a time will come when Nigeria will lend to other nations.
Naijaonpoint reports that Mrs Tinubu spoke on Sunday, December 7, in Ile-Ife, Osun State, shortly after being conferred with the chieftaincy title of Yeye Asiwaju Gbogbo Ile Oodua, during a grand ceremony marking the 10th coronation anniversary of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
The event drew an influential crowd, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo; the wife of the Vice President, Nana Shettima; ex-First Lady, Patience Jonathan; Governors Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun); and former House of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji Bankole.
Also present were ex-Ogun governor Ibikunle Amosun, Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, Speaker of the Lagos Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, Osun Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi, and former Osun First Lady, Kafayat Oyetola.
Traditional rulers, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar; the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III; the Orangun of Ila, Oba Abdulwahab Oyedotun; and the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, were also in attendance.
‘Nigeria’s Joy Has Come’ – Remi Tinubu
In a short but emphatic address delivered in a mix of Yoruba and English, the First Lady expressed gratitude to the Ooni and to the people of Ile-Ife for the honour.
She declared confidently: “Nigeria’s joy has come; those wondering how we want to do it, we will show them how things are being done. By 2026, Nigeria will be in prosperity; we will be lending to other nations.”
She added that the achievements expected under President Bola Tinubu would eventually surprise many: “It is important to say it here at the source of the Yoruba race today, that during the administration of President Bola Tinubu, people will wonder how he has been able to achieve such milestone.”
Earlier in his remarks, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi, said Oluremi Tinubu had been supportive of the throne since his ascension, and also acknowledged former President Obasanjo’s long-standing contributions to the palace.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, in his goodwill message, prayed for a long and impactful reign for the Ooni, urging Nigerians to continue praying for their leaders to steer the country in the right direction.
Ooni Has Rebranded Yoruba Culture – Says Adeleke
In his remark, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, described the Ooni as a modern royal leader who has redefined the image of Yoruba traditional institutions globally.
“Our royal father demonstrated what it means to have an empowered royal father. With strong economic footing and limitless capacity for local and global networking, his majesty changes the narration of traditional rulership,” he said.
Adeleke revealed that the state government is aligning with the Ooni’s cultural vision, listing ongoing infrastructure upgrades in Ile-Ife: “In line with that vision, our government embarked on an infrastructure upgrade of Ile-Ife with 14 roads completed so far and several others ongoing. We are about to complete the first ever flyover in this cradle of the Yoruba nation.”
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