Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has expressed optimism that the nation will soon achieve a level of prosperity that will enable it to provide financial assistance to other countries.
She made the statement on Sunday in Ile-Ife, Osun State, shortly after she was honoured with the chieftaincy title Yeye Asiwaju Gbogbo Ile Oodua during a grand ceremony marking the 10th coronation anniversary of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
The event was attended by an array of prominent personalities, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Nana Shettima, wife of the Vice President; former First Lady, Patience Jonathan; Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole.
Other notable figures present included former Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun; Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa; Osun State Deputy Governor, Kola Adewusi; and former Osun First Lady, Kafayat Oyetola.
Several traditional rulers also graced the ceremony, among them 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.
Expressing gratitude to the Ooni for the honour, Senator Tinubu said, “Today is not a day of long speeches… Nigeria’s joy has come… By 2026, Nigeria will be in prosperity; we will be lending to other nations.” She added that people would marvel at the achievements recorded under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Earlier, the Ooni of Ife praised the First Lady for her longstanding support and acknowledged the vital role former President Obasanjo has played in strengthening his throne.
In his goodwill message, the Sultan of Sokoto prayed for the Ooni’s long reign and asked for divine guidance for Nigeria’s leaders.
Governor Adeleke, addressing the audience, commended the Ooni for elevating the image of Yoruba royalty and promoting Ile-Ife as the cultural heart of the Yoruba people. He noted that the state government was aligning with the Ooni’s vision, highlighting recent infrastructure developments, including the completion of 14 roads and the near completion of the town’s first flyover.