Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has assured Nigerians of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to making the country safe for all citizens, saying Nigeria will soon overcome its security challenges.
Tinubu, who described the cases of kidnappings, banditry and killings in parts of the country as disheartening, said a lot of efforts were ongoing to further secure the country and stamp out criminality, but these efforts could not be divulged publicly.
Mrs Tinubu spoke in Ado Ekiti on Saturday, during her engagement with Ekiti State traditional rulers, as part of her one-day working visit to the state.
Her comment was in response to the call for a review of the kidnapping law and the fast-tracking of the process to create state police.
The First Lady said President Tinubu was committed to the security of the lives and properties of citizens through a stronger internal security plan and building of security alliances with developed nations.
She said, “President Tinubu has entered into partnership with developed countries like the United States of America and others, and is taking internal security measures to smash those terrorising the country and stoking the fire of killings and kidnappings across the geopolitical zones.”
She thanked the traditional rulers for their support for the President and Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji.
She described their support as a veritable impetus driving the two leaders to give their best in terms of commitment to good governance.
“It is disheartening that we have this insecurity. A lot of foreign countries are helping our country. The US and some other developed countries are helping us in this matter.
“Some of those terrorising us are non-Nigerians. No matter what happens, we shall overcome. Nigeria is too great to be intimidated.
“Let us bear in mind that we have a great country. Challenges will come, but collectively, we can tackle them. I can assure you, we don’t have Mondays or Sundays; the President is working round the clock to get this matter resolved.
“God has been faithful. Let us be prayerful about our nation. It is prayers that have taken us this far.”
She said her brainchild, the Renewed Hope Initiative, had built an ultra-modern ICT centre at Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, to boost youths’ digital education, while also endowing prizes worth N200m for undergraduates to broaden the scope of the scholarship scheme in the institution.
She added that her initiative had empowered another 2,000 traders with N50,000 each to engage them in trading, while hundreds of elderly, vulnerable groups and people living with disabilities were being helped to raise their standards of living through fruitful engagements under the current economy.
“Kabiyesi, I didn’t only come here to support Governor Oyebanji and the APC women campaign council, I am here to thank you for the love you have shown to Mr President in Ekiti State.
“I am humbled that you are all here and waited patiently. Your domains shall be peaceful by the grace of God. Long may you reign,” she prayed.
The Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu-Alagbado, lauded the President’s wife for the respect and honour exhibited for the traditional rulers, saying this would remain indelible in the annals of history.
Oba Adu-Alagbado praised the difficult policies being initiated by President Tinubu to tackle the multifaceted problems facing the country, saying the entire traditional council remained solidly behind his administration.
The monarchs’ chair further commended Mrs Tinubu for her people-oriented programmes under the Renewed Hope Initiative in the different parts of the country, saying, “You have touched the lives of our people. We heard about you when you were in the Senate. We heard about how you transformed the lives of Lagos Central that you represented.
“We thank the President through you for the affection he has shown for our governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji. Our governor is always praising him for his fatherly role. Our message to the President is that we are with him totally. He is a special man ordained by God.
“We know about the obstacles, we know how he has been tackling them, he is our son, and we are proud of him, not just a son, but as one that is doing wonders and making us proud.”
Oba Adu-Alagbado further called for the review of laws dealing with the issue of insecurity in the country.
“No country is devoid of criminals. There should be a review of laws in the country dealing with the issue of insecurity.
“Kidnapping has been on for some time. All those who are aiding and abetting kidnapping, we have not seen any punitive measures taken against them. There should be a review of the laws dealing with these murderers.
“Also, the bill for the creation of the state police should be fast-tracked. Our people are not cowards, but our hands are tied, because our people can’t carry an AK-47 to face these criminals,” the monarch said.
Speaking of the 2027 contest, Oba Adu-Alagbado said Tinubu stood tall and towering among the contestants and those showing intention to vie for the nation’s number one seat.
He assured that the Ekiti people would support the President for a second term in office based on his good performance, so he could do more.
Also at the engagement were the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, Governor Oyebanji, wife, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye, Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele and other top government officials.
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