…Says girls going naked not part of Nigeria’s culture
• Female president is possible if women unite – Victoria Gowon
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, has warned that Nigerian children are at risk of losing their identity if necessary steps are not taken to make amends.
She gave the warning at an event tagged “Celebrating the Mothers of our Nation” with the theme: “Looking Ahead”, as part of activities to mark President Bola Tinubu’s one year in office.
The event was specially put together to recognize the contributions women have made in their various spheres of life, communities and in the nation at large.
Mrs. Tinubu emphasised the importance of women as the foundation of the home and society, stressing the need to continue nurturing children and instilling good morals while preserving cultural and traditional values.
She said: “Gathered here today are women from across all sectors of our society, who have individually and collectively contributed to the development of our great nation. Every woman, irrespective of age is a mother, a nurturer, a builder and the foundation upon which our families, communities and institutions thrive.”
The First Lady expressed concern that without intervention, the current state of society could lead to children losing their identity.
She urged women to become unifying forces in their homes and communities to drive greater prosperity for the nation. She encouraged drawing inspiration from the legacies of pioneering women who have paved the way.
The First Lady expressed gratitude to all mothers comprising former First Ladies, ministers (former and serving), lawmakers (former and current), entertainers, captains of industries, present and those who have touched lives in countless ways through their love, strength, and endless sacrifices.
She acknowledged that while President Tinubu initially preferred a low-key celebration, she insisted on honouring Nigerian mothers because “when mothers stand with you, the house is in order.”
Mrs. Tinubu emphasized that Nigeria is not in a state of mourning but rather in the process of making the country better. She urged everyone to contribute their quota and continue praying for President Tinubu and the nation until they reach the Promised Land, which she referred to as “Eldorado.”
“I would like to emphasize that as we strive to attain greater heights, we must remember that women are the bedrock of the home and likewise the society. “We must continue to nurture and teach our children good morals and not forget our cultural and traditional values. With what we see in the society today, if we do not step in to make the necessary amends, our children are at risk of losing their identity.
“Looking ahead, we must endeavour to become the unifying force in our homes and our communities, to bring about greater prosperity for our nation.
“Let us continue to draw from the lessons of the pioneers who have paved the way and build on the legacies they have left behind.”
Vice President wife, Hajia Nana Shettima described Mrs. Tinubu as an embodiment of experience having serviced as First Lady of Lagos State for eight years, Senator of the Federal Republic for eight years and now the First Lady of the country.
Wife of former Head of State, Mrs Victoria Gowon, in her remarks, stressed that until women unite, Nigeria will go nowhere. She said if women unite and begin to mentor others, Nigeria would one day produce a female president.
“I like to say something, the First Lady of Federal Republic of Nigeria has shown us the way to take people as friends, as partners to move the women of Nigeria forward. To be seen as mothers, as helpers. Until we as women unite, we are not going anywhere. We have to unite. We have to remove our differences, it doesn’t matter where you come from or it doesn’t matter who you love, you are a woman, you are a mother.
“We should learn to nurture that, to nurture our children and bring them up in the knowledge of God because that is the beginning of victory.
“We know where we all came from but might not know where we are going. We must make sure that we will uplift ourselves as women, find our way home, we must know what we want as women. We must pick one person, nurture her, give her the advantage and push her toward. With that we grow up as women and become leaders.”