Nigeria’s First Lady tackles critics, says husband not magician

By Iyojo Ameh

At the inter-denominational church service commemorating Independence Day, Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, emphasized that her husband, President Bola Tinubu, is not a magician and cannot instantly resolve the complex issues facing the nation.

The service took place at the National Christian Centre in Abuja on Sunday.

Senator Tinubu acknowledged the substantial challenges inherited by the current administration, stressing that the focus should be on fixing what has been damaged rather than laying blame on previous governments.

She stated, “All we inherited are things that had happened many years ago; we are not here to put blame on any administration but to fix what has been damaged.”

The First Lady expressed her confidence in President Tinubu’s commitment to addressing the country’s problems incrementally, saying, “My husband is not a magician; he is going to work, and I believe and hope that we will have peace in this country; the best is yet to come to us.”

Emphasizing the importance of good governance, Senator Tinubu called on Nigerians to exemplify the virtues of Jesus Christ, urging citizens to embrace “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, and forgiveness.”

She also appealed to Nigerians to celebrate the unity that defines the nation’s diversity, stating, “There is no challenge, obstacle, or difficulty that we cannot overcome or surmount if we imbibe the nature of Christ who said in Matthew 11:28 that ‘come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.'”

Furthermore, the First Lady assured Nigerians that President Tinubu had engaged in extensive consultations with the international community and investors to reposition the country for a better future.

In his sermon, the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Israel Akanji, called upon the President and all political leaders to take immediate action in addressing the nation’s challenges. He emphasized that Nigerians are seeking tangible solutions rather than promises.