First Lady Urges Wives of Governors To Lead Social Change, Hosts Interfaith Breaking of Fast 

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called on women across the country, particularly wives of State Governors and women in public life, to take deliberate steps in driving social change, promoting unity, and addressing pressing community challenges.

She made the call during two engagements in Abuja: the 1st Quarterly Meeting with Wives of State Governors for 2026 under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) and an Interfaith Breaking of Fast (Iftar/Lent) for women from different sectors of society.

At the meeting with the wives of State Governors, Senator Tinubu urged them to take bold and independent action in tackling social vices and economic challenges within their states through grassroots-focused initiatives.

Drawing from her experience as a former First Lady of Lagos State, she highlighted programmes such as the Spelling Bee competition, which helped keep children in public schools, as well as initiatives like Musical Fiesta and a Leadership Academy for girls, which started with just 20 participants but later grew in impact.

She encouraged the governors’ wives to develop programmes suited to the peculiar needs of their states, citing examples such as Ekiti State’s adire fabric hub, large-scale cassava production initiatives, and smoked fish processing in riverine communities.

“It’s like giving birth to a baby — the teething stage and learning how to walk. After a while, the baby is supposed to walk unaided, and that is what I want to see. I expect them (wives of state governors) to do what they are supposed to do,” she said.

The meeting also reviewed ongoing activities of the Renewed Hope Initiative and outlined programmes for 2026, including the launch of a National Community Food Bank in April across the six geopolitical zones. The initiative, linked to Primary Health Care Centres, will provide nutritional supplements for malnourished children aged 0–6 and pregnant women, supported by a new trust fund.

The First Lady stressed that child nutrition must be treated as a national priority.

“We are going to start on child nutrition. We are going to go at it aggressively. It is sad for a nation like ours to still be talking about child malnutrition at this level,” she said.

She also called for environmental action, urging wives of governors to establish state environmental clubs and mobilise youth groups to plant trees and tackle plastic waste ahead of July 15, 2026.

Senator Tinubu commended the strong support received for the National Library Fund, describing it as a generational legacy that Nigerians should take pride in supporting.

Other upcoming RHI programmes include the National Scholarship Programme scheduled for September, an Elderly Support Scheme in December, which encourages states to exceed the target of 250 beneficiaries per state with grants of ₦100,000 alongside medical screenings, and a Disability Day programme that will include support for persons with disabilities and business recapitalisation grants.

Later, at the Interfaith Breaking of Fast event attended by Christian and Muslim women, the First Lady described the simultaneous observance of Ramadan and the Lenten season as a spiritual message calling Nigerians to unity and harmonious coexistence.

“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.

Reflecting on her nearly 40-year interfaith marriage to President Bola Tinubu, Senator Tinubu used her personal experience to emphasise the importance of religious tolerance and mutual respect.

“Some of us are married to men of different faiths and we have lived together peacefully for many years. In my own case, almost 40 years. I cannot remember when both of us raised our voices at each other, maybe not more than twice,” she said.

She urged Nigerians to reject division and embrace service built on excellence, compassion, and integrity, while also encouraging women to mentor young people and guide the next generation.

Director at the National Open University of Nigeria, Prof. Ganiyat Adejoke Adesina-Uthman, who delivered a lecture titled “Serving with Excellence, Compassion and Integrity in Public Life”, emphasised that integrity must remain the foundation of leadership.

“If you are lacking in integrity, then you are clearly fraud. Your name and your character must be the same,” she said.

Also speaking, Bishop Sally William Chinebu of Dominion Church International encouraged women to embrace compassion in leadership and service, noting that when women rise to lead positively, they become a powerful force for transformation.

The event drew a distinguished gathering including former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan, Wife of the Vice President Hajia Nana Shettima, Wife of former Vice President Hajia Namadi Sambo, Wife of the Senate President Mrs Ekaette Akpabio, Mrs Fatima Tajudeen Abass, female members of the National Assembly, judges, ministers, and other prominent women leaders.

OYO NEWS