I present to you, the incoming First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinunu

By Taiwo Olapade

The incoming First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu is known to many as a kind hearted, friendly, meticulous, disciplinarian, religious and above all, very generous human being just like the husband, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The office of the First Lady is not new to her, having held same position during the glorious days of the husband as the Lagos State Governor for eight years between 1999-2007.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu brought a rare recognition, prestige and honor to the office of the First Lady despite some people believing the office has no constitutional backing. She first occupied the office when the nation returned to another democratic journey in 1999 after years of struggle with the autocratic military Junta. For the record, the struggle for the recognition of June 12, 1993 Presidential Election won by late Chief M.K.O Abiola, the President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu played a vital role in the strategic group known as NADECO which sole aim of sending the military junta back to the Barracks recorded a huge success. It gave birth to the Democratic rule we have today.

As the First Lady of Lagos State, the Centre of Excellence, Senator Oluremi Tinubu provided a strong support for the Governor to focus on implementing his campaign promises to residents of the state. This reminds me of the popular saying that ” Behind every successful man, there is a virtuous woman”.

Providing comfort for the women folks became a major concern for the First Lady and that led to the establishment of several initiatives which catered for essential needs of women across the metropolis.

Another notable landmark left behind as legacy by the incoming First Lady was the Spelling Bee Competition which has continued to wax stronger year after year. Those who have occupied the position after her have never for once abandoned the programme. The idea behind the Spelling Bee was to give the Students of Public Secondary Schools in the state a sense of belonging and I-can-do spirit like their counterpart who are privileged to attend private schools. Some of the products of the One-Day Governor are currently taking the lead in different endeavors within and outside the country.

The Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials popularly known as COWLSO was founded during her time as the First Lady. Proceeds from the event which usually attracts the who is who are spent on projects that have direct impact on the lives of residents.

The incoming First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria while in the Senate organised several Quarterly Town Hall Meetings as a feedback mechanism to render account of Stewardships to the constituents. This also creates a platform to directly have an idea of the immediate needs of the constituents for appropriate action.

Thousands of women have been empowered through the Widows Economic Empowerment Scheme (WEES) from the Local Governments/Local Council Development Areas within the Senatorial District. The beneficiaries also received cash support to boost their existing trade or start a fresh one.

Under the Petty Traders Empowerment Capital Scheme (PETECS), close to five thousand beneficiaries received between N20,000 to N50,000 each to re- capitalize an existing trade or start a new one.

The Vocational Training organised by the Lagos Central Senatorial office of the incoming First Lady impacted positively on the lives of thousands of residents without bias for Ethnicity or Religion. Some of the trade people were trained and empowered with the necessary materials include; Photography, Fashion Design, Hair Dressing, Make Up Artistes and Information Technology.

There is high expectation that Senator Oluremi Tinubu as the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will accord priority to regular Empowerment Programme across the country to boost the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu was born on September 21, 1960.

She was elected into the National Assembly in 2011 to represent Lagos Central Senatorial District. She has successfully completed her third term in the Senate.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu bagged B.Sc in Education from the prestigious University of Ife, while the Adeyemi College of Education awarded her a National Certificate of Education in Botany and Zoology. She is a prominent member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God and a respected pastor in the church. The incoming First Lady also serves as the Grand Matron of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO).

Taiwo Olapade,
Lagos, Nigeria.