…Says, “Nigeria belongs to all of us.”
by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
Nigeria’s First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has commissioned one of the projects of their ‘Renewed Hope Initiative’ as well as an ICT Centre and the ‘Alternative School for Girls’ in Bauchi State.
During the ceremony, the First Lady asserted that, “Nigeria belongs to all of us, and this is the time to unite more than ever before. These are projects that are very important to me.”
According to her, she is not afraid of death from any quarters, having attained the age of 64, following the death threat issued her by her Buachi State critic.
The First Lady thanked the Bauchi Governor, who kept assuring her that she is safe, adding, “But I want to say that I’m too old to be afraid of death. I think I should not be afraid of death. If God has granted me over 64 years on earth, I shouldn’t be afraid of death.
While at the Bauchi Emir’s palace responding to an introductory, Governor Bala Mohammed told the Emir that “The First Lady has shown that Nigeria is working, Nigeria is one and nobody can play politics with our lives.
“She has set aside all the differences of politics and partisanship and, of course, I’m aware of some of the challenges and threat as to her life and person by somebody from this state.
“I was so disappointed and frustrated, but you made my day; as a courageous mother, you decided to come to Bauchi. The distinguished lady has shown that Nigeria is really working, Nigeria is one and nobody can play politics with our lives,” the governor stressed.
While appreciating the First Lady, he said that “her life is more important to us than our lives; nothing will happen to you, and that renegade we will deal with him, and Allah will deal with him, by the grace of God.
“On behalf of Their Royal Highnesses and people of Bauchi State, we apologize for that national embarrassment; it would not happen again,” Governor Bala assured.
He also commended the First Lady, who has distinguished herself not only as a sitting Senator, but as a politician that has opened new frontiers of politics and politicking, adding that “Her ‘Renewed Hope Initiative’ is to bring us hope, because she has set aside all the differences of politics and partisanship.”
While explaining on the email, the governor said that “The First Lady is in Bauchi to commission one of the best initiatives of human capital – the ICT Centre – for use of women, and she chose Bauchi, irrespective of what has been done to her and the differences we have in politics.”
Responding, the Emir of Bauchi, Dr. Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu, described the visit of the President’s wife as very important of commissioning the new ICT Centre, developed and donated to the State Government, and the opening of a new Secondary School built by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
According to him, the visit of the First Lady, “I would also like to take this opportunity to dispel any misconception on security in Bauchi State. Our state has been a place of peace and harmony; our people were known for their tolerance and understanding, coexistence and natural respect and cooperation,” he said.
The Emir noted thus: “Isolated discordant did not define us, and we are committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and visitors alike. Your visit today is a purposeful symbol for peace and progress Bauchi embodies.”