Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Nigeria’s First Lady, remarked on Thursday night that she doesn’t have long-lasting relationships with those who don’t know God.
The First Lady also remarked that in almost 40 years of marriage to a Muslim, President Bola Tinubu, she couldn’t remember when either of them yelled at each other.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu said this while hosting an Interfaith Breaking of Fast (Iftar and Lent) at the Old Banquet Hall in the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
People from the two biggest religions in the country, Christians and Muslims, as well as wives of state governors, came to the end of the fast.
She stressed how important it is for different faith groups to get along and how important it is for women to be good role models for the next generation.
She talked to women leaders during the overlapping observances of Ramadan and Lent and stressed the need of personal coexistence as a way to fight uneasiness and division. She urged them to serve with “excellence, compassion, and integrity.”
Senator Oluremi Tinubu used her nearly 40-year interfaith marriage to President Bola Tinubu as an example of how to get along with people of different faiths.
She talked on how personal peaceful coexistence may help fight insecurity and division, and she urged people to serve with “excellence, compassion, and integrity.”
“Today, like I mentioned, is a very good day. God made this day just for us to meet together, and for ladies from different backgrounds to get together first. It was like God was talking to us as a country when the Ramadan fast was announced and the Lenten season started at the same time.
“We know a lot has been going on lately, and people are trying to attack our religious beliefs…” We Nigerians know that most of the time that isn’t the case. Some of us are married to men of various religions, and we’ve lived together for a long time. Me, almost 40 years.
“And I can tell you, I cannot remember when both of us raised our voices at each other. I can tell you that it hasn’t happened more than twice in the last 40 years. So we’ve acted quite grown-up and courteous about it. And I think that’s the greatest way for us to get along.
She talked about the escalating tensions in the country and how they were affecting religion: “Recently, we know a lot of things have been going on, and people are trying to attack our religious beliefs.” And we Nigerians know that most of the time, that’s not true.
“Some of us are married to people of different faiths, and we’ve lived together in peace for a long time.” For me, it’s been almost 40 years.
She told Nigerians to stop thinking they are entitled, stating, “We as Christians have a form of entitlement.” We believe our grace is enough because we have Christ… You can’t exist without being afraid of God.
“The Bible says that the fear of God is the start of wisdom.” “I will deal with anyone in the country who fears God.”
She told women to teach the younger ones and give them actual knowledge.
“We all have a lot of work to do, especially for the young people.” You need to be their mentor… The old school is still new. So we have the true smarts to give to the next generation.
Professor Ganiyat Adejoke Adesina-Uthman, the director of the National Open University of Nigeria, talked on the “crisis of trust” in public office.
She talked on “Serving with excellence, compassion, and integrity in public life” and made it clear that integrity is not up for debate.
Former First Lady of Nigeria Dame Patience Jonathan, Vice President Hajia Nana Shettima, Former Vice President Hajia Namadi Sambo, Senate President Mrs. Ekaette Akpabio, Mrs. Fatima Tajudeen Abass, female National Assembly members, female judges, female ministers, and many more were there.
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