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Tag: first lady

  • Syria’s First Lady: London born, Asma Al-Assad may not be welcome in UK

    Syria’s First Lady: London born, Asma Al-Assad may not be welcome in UK

    Once celebrated as an advocate of women’s rights in the Middle East, Syria’s British-born former first lady Asma al-Assad has fled into exile with her husband, with UK officials saying she is not welcome to return to London.

    Asma al-Assad, 49, her husband and three children have sought refuge in Moscow after rebels ousted Bashar al-Assad from power, according to Russian state news agencies, although the Kremlin has not confirmed the reports.

    It is just the latest blow to the shredded reputation of a woman whose glamour and charm had been seen in the past as a key asset to the Syrian government.

    Asma al-Assad was born in London in 1975 and has spent half her life in the UK, with her parents still living in the west of the capital city.

    She retains British citizenship, but foreign minister David Lammy said Monday that she was no longer welcome in the country, suggesting she may soon lose her UK passport.

    “I’ve seen mentioned in the last few days, Asma Assad (is) potentially someone with UK citizenship that might attempt to come into our country, and I want it confirmed that she’s a sanctioned individual and is not welcome here in the UK,” he told parliament.

    Asma al-Assad had her UK assets frozen in March 2012 amid growing protests against her husband’s rule, as part of a European sanction programme that London maintained after Brexit.

    The UK has previously stripped citizens of their nationality for joining the Islamic State group, Bader Mousa Al-Saif, researcher at the Chatham House think tank, told AFP.

    “If that could be happening to an unknown in an extremist camp, I think the same, if not more, warrants for the case of Asma al-Assad,” he added.

  • We value your service to the nation, Akpabio tells First Lady at 64

    We value your service to the nation, Akpabio tells First Lady at 64

    President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON has congratulated wife of the President and the First Lady, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, OON on her 64th birthday, which holds on Saturday, 21 September 2024.

    Akpabio, in a congratulatory message signed by his Special Adviser On Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh described Senator Oluremi’s life as a testament to dedication, compassion and service to our great nation.

    He said “On behalf of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the entire National Assembly, my family and constituents, I extend warmest congratulations to you on your 64th birthday. Your Excellency, your life has been a testament to dedication, compassion, and service to our great nation.

    “As a seasoned politician, senator, and First Lady of Lagos state and now Nigeria, your contributions to the empowerment of women, youth development, and education are invaluable.

    “Your commitment to humanitarian causes and philanthropy has positively impacted countless lives.

    “Your remarkable journey, from your early days as a senator representing Lagos Central to becoming the First Lady of Nigeria, inspires us all. Your leadership and vision have made a significant difference in our country.

    “On this special day, I wish you good health, joy, and continued strength as you continue to strengthen the home front and support your husband and our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR to deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda. May your birthday be filled with love, laughter, and celebration.

    “Happy 64th birthday, First Lady, Distinguished Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, OON”

  • May Day: First Lady urges workers to reflect more on productivity

    May Day: First Lady urges workers to reflect more on productivity

    The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has encouraged the Nigerian workforce to reflect more on improving nations development and productivity amidst May Day celebration.

    Mrs Tinubu disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja in her message to mark the year 2024 International Workers Day celebration.

    “I acknowledge the immense contributions of our nation’s workforce that is renowned for its dedication, resilience, and innovation.

    “Today, let us not only celebrate work, but also reflect on how we can be a better and more productive workforce.

    “On this Workers’ Day, I celebrate the spirit of work with pride. May it continue to be a source of strength, prosperity, and national progress for Nigeria.

    The first lady, who had also contributed her quota to the national workforce, as a former teacher and politician who served as a senator for 12-years also commended all teachers specially.

    “I therefore salute the teachers who nurture young minds, the farmers who cultivate our land, the doctors and nurses who safeguard our health.

    “I salute the engineers who build our infrastructure, and countless others who dedicate their skills and energy to building a better Nigeria.

     

  • Hard times over soon – First Lady, Remi Tinubu

    Hard times over soon – First Lady, Remi Tinubu

    The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu has assured that hard times being faced by Nigerians will soon come to an end with the right policies of the Federal Government.

    The President’s wife gave the assurance on Monday in the State House during a meeting with the Governors Wives on her pet project, Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).

    She assured that the year 2024 is loaded with “peace, progress, prosperity and greater achievements’’ to the advantage of all Nigerians.

    Mrs Tinubu commended the governors’ wives for their efforts and supports in year 2023, urging them not to relent in addressing the needs of the vulnerable in their states.

    “Times like this calls for sober reflection, hence, all hands must be on deck. Moreover, the hardship situation is temporary, it will soon fade away.

    “The mission of the RHI is driven by my office to complement the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Tinubu,’’ she said.

    She said Women Agricultural Support Programme (WASP), under RHI, will empower 20 farmers each, from five states in the South East Zone.

    “These farmers will get N500,000 each and a total draft of N10m will be given to five RHI states’ coordinators as the case may be.

    “The National Agricultural Land Development Authority in partnership with the RHI will support an additional 80 female farmers from each state with the provision of training and capacity building and agricultural inputs.

    “We will buy-off all produce from the farms after harvest,’’ she said.

    Mrs. Tinubu said she would soon launch “Young Farmers Club’’ in public schools across the nation to encourage farming among young population.

    She said schools with the best farms would be identified, and prizes would be given to them, ranging from school renovations, equipping of school science laboratories, provision of ICT equipment and upgrading of school libraries.

    On the programme, “Every Home a Garden’’ competition, the first lady said the overall best garden owner will win the sum of N20m by December.

    She urged the governors’ wives to update her on the progress made on the programme.

    According to the first lady, other areas of focus in RHI included, economic empowerment, health and social investment.

  • Oluremi Tinubu is a First Lady made for Nigeria’s present challenges, says Omo-Agege

    Oluremi Tinubu is a First Lady made for Nigeria’s present challenges, says Omo-Agege

    Former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has described the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu as a woman that came equipped for the challenges of the office.

    In a message on the 63rd anniversary of her birthday, Omo-Agege said her stature, political acumen and management capacity can only be compared to those one-time American First Lady, Mrs. Hilary Clinton who was a pillar of support for her husband, President Bill Clinton.

    “From her sterling political consciousness and active role while President Tinubu was Lagos governor to becoming a federal lawmaker in Nigeria’s apex legislative chamber, the Senate, our First Lady garnered invaluable experience that Nigeria sorely needs as the President squares up to the task of returning the country to the path of sustainable growth,” Omo-Agege who is also the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State said.

    In a statement issued by Mr. Sunny Areh, his Media Adviser, Omo-Agege stated that like other great First Ladies in other climes, Mrs. Tinubu’s calm mien, experience and vision will come in handy in building a great Nigeria.

    “Our country is lucky to have Senator Oluremi Tinubu as First Lady at this crucial time of our political and economic trajectory. She represents strength, visionary leadership, greatness and fight for democracy,” attributes, he stated are needed in the onerous task of rebuilding the country.

    He wished her excellent health and more wisdom from God in the days ahead.

    Signed:

    Sunny Areh
    Media Adviser to Senator Ovie Omo-Agege

  • State House management, staff celebrate Remi Tinubu

    State House management, staff celebrate Remi Tinubu

    The State House Management and Staff have celebrated the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, on her 63rd birthday anniversary.

    A statement issued by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, said this on Thursday in Abuja.

    He said members of staff of the State House celebrated her as a compassionate and responsive mother to both her children and the entire nation.

    Ngelale said the First Lady’s  remarkable qualities extended beyond her role as the Chief Supporter and Confidant of Nigeria’s number one citizen.

    The spokesman described as a consummate leader, teacher, humanitarian, and a fervent minister of the gospel.

    “Through her landmark project, the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), she has brought hope and resolve back into the lives of thousands of displaced and disadvantaged Nigerians.

    “Providing shelter for the homeless and tirelessly working to improve access to education and healthcare for underprivileged citizens nationwide.

    “Her deeply affecting interventions continue to favour all Nigerians, with no special regard for any particular faith, region or political persuasion.

    “Her profound sacrifices during her days in pro-democracy activism serve as an enduring example of her unwavering dedication to just causes, even in the face of trials and perilous uncertainties.

    “The First Lady’s character is defined by her patriotism, dignity, grace, and down-to-earth public spiritedness,” he said.

    He said that as the first woman to serve three terms in the Nigerian Senate, Oluremi holds a unique position to ensure that public administration is infused with compassion and empathy for the plight of the people.

    “Today, we express our deep gratitude for her unwavering commitment to our country and the welfare of hundreds of millions of Nigerians, both at home and abroad.

    “It is our prayer on this special day that God Almighty would continue to grant the First Lady more grace and wisdom, strengthening her to trust in His unfailing goodness throughout all the days of her life.”

  • First Lady, governors’ wives move to address “Japa” syndrome

    First Lady, governors’ wives move to address “Japa” syndrome

    Nigeria’s First Lady,  Oluremi Tinubu,  has called on the diasporas to contribute their quota to the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

    She also called on Nigerian youths to have hope in the efforts of the current administration to deliver on the dividends of democracy and provide for their basic needs.

    According to the UN, in 2022, 26,400 Nigerian citizens requested asylum abroad while 27,000 Nigerian citizens were recongnised as refuges and granted protection in 2022.

    Mrs Tinubu made the call on Monday at the New York 2023 Nigeria Economic Growth and Trade Summit with the theme“ Stemming Migration Flows by Providing Basic Needs’’ at Nigeria House in New York.

    The UN correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports the summit was organised by the Nigeria Governors’ Wives Forum on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) .

    The first lady said while migration could offer new opportunities and experiences, it also presented risks and challenges that could manifest in brain drain.

    “The brain drain phenomenon where highly skilled individuals leave their home country for supposedly better prospects abroad, is a concern for many African nations, depriving them of their expertise and talents needed for sustainable growth.

    “In our various communities, we must work towards creating conditions and providing basic needs that allow people to thrive by providing access to qualitative education, an enabling environment for job creation.

    “And the development of local industries that will create viable economic opportunities.

    “We must revamp our healthcare sector to ensure basic health care services are accessible to all.

    “Improve health care conditions and stronger social support system that discourage migration driven by health concerns.

    “Also, combating food security by investing in sustainable agricultural programs, especially in rural areas, can reduce the pressure of rural urban migration.

    “I can’t over emphasise the need for conflict resolution and promotion of  peace and stability in regions prone to violence,’’ she said.

    Tinubu, however, commended the first ladies for their initiatives, noting that complementing the efforts of their husbands would enhance economic empowerment in their respective states.

    She said by fostering collaboration and unity amongst  themselves, they had been able to achieve a lot more by learning from one another.

    “The Renewed Hope Initiative is an initiative that we just started, aimed at creating a better life for families.

    “Our scope covers agriculture, education, economic empowerment, health and social investment, focusing on women and the youth, who are the bedrock of the society.

    “As youths account for 70 per cent of our population and women represent 49.6 per cent of the population.

    “I believe that schemes which focus on empowering this demographic, coupled with an enabling environment, will gradually begin to reverse the negative trend of migration.’’

    She told the wives of the governors that as first ladies, their roles as leaders, were critical to driving sustainable change within their communities.

    “You must work together with government agencies to complement and support the establishment of laws that protect human rights and provide equal opportunities.

    “Policy reforms that encourage skilled individuals to return home after obtaining educational experience abroad, can help reverse the dream.

    “We must continue to acknowledge the good work of international agencies, well-meaning individuals in the diaspora and in the private sector, are doing in our nation.

    “Through fora like this, we can encourage diaspora engagement, establish avenues for Nigerians living abroad to contribute to the country’s development.

    “Through investment, knowledge sharing, and collaborations which can help mitigate the negative effects of brain drain.’’

    The first lady urged Nigerians to foster a positive narrative, celebrate their cultural heritage, national achievements and promote a sense of pride in Nigeria.

    According to her, Nigeria is on the brink of a major economic recovery of buoyancy.

    She charged Nigerian youths to learn the virtues of patience and resilience as everyone continued to work as a collective  to help build a greater and better Nigeria.

    Also speaking, Nigeria governors’ wives forum Chairperson, Mrs Olufolake AbdulRazaq, the wife of Kwara State Governor, called for support to provide basic needs for the citizens to stem migration flows.

    AbdulRazaq expressed hope that the deliberations and outcome of the summit would further stronger partnerships and credible responses with lasting effects that would assuage the emigration concerns as well as aid shared prosperity.

    “ We hope everyone will support the forum in all her programmes for New York in 2024 as we look forward to participating in Women’s ’ month in March  2024 and UNGA.

    “ We hope to deepen all engagements formed in realising our common goods to the benefit of our country and the glory of God,’’ she said.

    No fewer than 12 wives of the governors were at the event.

    They included the first ladies of Oyo State, Mrs Tamunominini Makinde; Ogun, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun; Imo, Mrs Chioma Uzodimma; and Gombe, Hajiya Asma’u Yahaya.

    Also in attendance were the first Ladies of Lagos State, Mrs Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu;   Borno, Mrs Falmata Zulum and Kogi, Hajiya Rashidat Yahaya Bello.

     

     

    NAN

  • Nigeria’s First Lady hosts Super Falcons in Abuja

    Nigeria’s First Lady hosts Super Falcons in Abuja

    Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Monday hosted members of the Nigerian female football team, the Super Falcons, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the  Super Falcons crashed out of the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup, being co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, having lost through penalties to the English team last Monday, August 7.

    The First Lady, who held a similar meeting with the victorious Nigeria female basketball team, D’Tigress, last Monday, has since been encouraging Nigerian female sports personalities by urging them on and holding meetings such as this.

    Oluremi Tinubu was seen jubilating after Super Falcons defeated Australia 3-2 in the second game of group B.

  • First lady, Remi Tinubu welcomes rescued Chibok girl

    First lady, Remi Tinubu welcomes rescued Chibok girl

    The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, on Friday in the presidential villa, Abuja, received Rebecca Kabu, one of the 277 Chibok schoolgirls who were kidnapped by Boko Haram in 2014.

    The first lady, in company of the Wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, promised to ensure that Rebecca is well taken care of medically and fit to return to school willingly.

    Mrs Tinubu, amidst emotional trauma, appreciated the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and other security agencies and people who were involved in Rebecca’s rescue.

    “Our dear daughter, Rebecca, I welcome you, I’ve been praying for you all night, it is well with you, what has happened to her is much traumatised; words are inadequate for me to describe it.

    “Cases of amnesia should be treated; it is difficult to get by, but since you are still here, God has plans for you. I thank the office of the NSA and NIA for not relenting and everyone that is assisting in her rehabilitation.

    “Rebecca will be our first comeback story and returnee, she is our first fruit; she is a case I am quite interested in to see that she can go back to school at her own pace.’’

    The first lady said her NGO, Renewed Hope Initiative, is strongly working on how matured girls who are forced out of school can return to school for quality education.

    She promised that Rebecca will be one of the first recipients of her free education benevolence.

    Tinubu said the younger ones, if well educated, would be able to fit into the society and inherit the good legacies the older ones are leaving behind.

    “Earlier, I talked to the NSA representative about cases of alternative high school where girls like Rebecca can go back and learn at their pace, because education is important for her and others.

    “They need education as tool for the marketplace, to be able to understand and manage the inheritance and legacies that shall be handed to them.

    “We pray and continue to pray that all our children that are still with Boko Haram will come back home, we are waiting in earnest, we have not given up hope, I am sure that by the time she is reunited with her parents, she will be glad.

    “With the governor waiting for her, she is in good hands,’’ the first lady said.

    Responding, Rebecca, in her low voice, told the first lady that she could barely understand English Language, but the first lady condoled her, saying that she would overcome it.

    Earlier, Rear Admiral Yaminu Musa, the Coordinator, Counter Terrorism Centre, NSA, said Rebecca, kidnapped at age 13 in 2014 and now 22 years old, was rescued by the government security agencies on July 17.

    He said the returnee has been certified medically and mentally fit to be reunited with her parents in Zana village in Borno state.

    He said subsequently, the NSA office would follow up and present her case alongside the 15 other rehabilitated girls that were also rescued for Federal Government education support.

    “I’m here to present to you one of those our young ones that were kidnapped in 2014, we are lucky to have one of them back in our midst. Rebecca was kidnapped and abducted from her school in Chibok in 2014 by late Shekarau-led Boko Haram.

    “She was rescued and repatriated from Cameroon on July 17,  and has completed intensive medical screening and physiological evaluation over the past two weeks by a team of medical and psychological experts between the office of NSA and the National Intelligent Agency.

    “Rebecca has been found to be in good health and is psychologically stable; the next step is to hand her over to the Borno state Governor for onward reuniting with her family in Zana.

  • ‘Renewed Hope’ Initiative will bring relief to many families – Remi Tinubu

    ‘Renewed Hope’ Initiative will bring relief to many families – Remi Tinubu

    Nigeria’s  First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has promised that she will soon bring on board the Renewed Hope Initiative of her office, saying it will succour and indeed relief to many families when the programme starts fully.

    Senator Tinubu who also doubles as the National Chairman of the Renewed Hope Initiative, revealed her plans after the second meeting of the Governing Board of the Initiative held at her office at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja on Friday.

    The ‘Renewed Hope’ initiative was made known via a statement  on Friday in Abuja by the First Lady media aide, Busola Kukoyi.

    The First Lady was quoted as saying that all modalities have been put in place to ensure a smooth take-off of the project across the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.

    Senator Oluremi Tinubu explained that the various states and local governments will be involved as the project is an all-inclusive for the federation.

    She pointed out the focal areas of the project to include Agriculture, Health, Education, Social Investment and Economic Empowerment.

    To this end, she noted that there would be a meeting with the wives of all state governors on Friday, July 14, 2023 where the modalities for the successful implementation of the project would be made public.

    In her remarks after the meeting, which was held behind closed-doors, wife of the vice president of the federation, who is also the National Vice Chairman of the Initiative, Hajiya Nana Shettima, expressed the excitement of the governing board at the project, noting that Nigerians were in for better times to complement the Federal Government’s efforts.

    Similarly, the National Secretary of the Initiative, Chioma Uzodinma, said the initiative will ride on the wings of collaborative efforts from all sectors to enhance the lives of the ordinary Nigerians.