By Ebuka Onyekwelu, Ph.D
The Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, has described Anambra as home for Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON. “This is your home,” Soludo said to Mrs. Tinubu on Thursday during her first official visit to Anambra State to commission the National Community Food Bank for the Southeast geopolitical zone. The First Lady also commissioned an ICT Experience Centre at the Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State, before the grand finale at the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, for the empowerment of five thousand people. During the visit, Senator Oluremi Tinubu was honoured by the Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers headed by His Royal Majesty, Igwe Chidiume Iweka, with the Chieftaincy title of “Ugoeze Anambra.”
Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Ugoeze Anambra, who was received at the Chinua Achebe International Airport by the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, and his wife, Dr. Mrs Nonye Soludo, was accompanied by the First Lady of Imo State, Mrs. Chioma Uzodinma, the First Lady of Abia State, Mrs. Chidimma Otti, the First Lady of Kwara State, Mrs. Olufolake Abdulrazaq. Also in her company were the Minister for Health, State and Social Welfare, Dr. Adekunle Salako; Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Bernard Doro; Executive Secretary of TETFUND, Arch Sonny Echono; and wives of members of the Federal Executive Council, among others.
In his remarks, the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, while welcoming the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to Anambra State. According to Governor Soludo, “Today is not for politics…I just got up to say a big welcome to all of you.” Speaking about the First Lady, Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo described her as a loving mother. “The First Lady is a loving mother, supportive wife and a soul that cares for humanity… thank you, Mama Nigeria, for all you do”, Professor Soludo said, reiterating that “progressives are working together…it is a partnership that works,” he assured. Commenting on the National Food Bank programme, Governor Soludo said that Anambra is committed to drawing down federal reforms, expressing confidence in the Renewed Hope Agenda. “We are working hard to cascade federal reforms down to the grassroots. I see hope with the Renewed Hope Agenda. The future is bright. The next four years will see a stronger Nigeria,” the governor said. On her part, the First Lady of Anambra State, Dr. Nonye Soludo, described Senator Oluremi Tinubu as Nigeria’s premium First Lady with the highest record of empowerment.
Enthused by the warmth with which she was received by thousands at the Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in her reaction, assured that she is coming back to Anambra State. “I will be back,” she said, insisting that she and her team came as Nigerians and not for campaign. “We came here as Nigerians. I have visited the entire states in Nigeria, except Zamfara, and I will be there soon,” the First Lady said. She also narrated her longstanding relationship with Ndi Igbo, saying that her best friends in secondary school and at the university are Igbos. The First Lady thanked Governor Soludo and his wife, Mrs. Nonye Soludo, for the empowerment of five thousand people, and supported the beneficiaries with ₦100, 000 each as business capital.
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, received donations towards her humanitarian works from business owners whom she had previously empowered in Anambra State, a gesture considered the first of its kind.
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