Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, ha been conferred with the traditional title of Ugoeze Anambra, meaning “Glory of the King,” by the Anambra State Traditional Rulers’ Council at a reception held at Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka.
The conferment was performed on behalf of the council by its chairman, Eze Iweka of Obosi, with other traditional rulers in attendance. The monarchs honoured the First Lady for what they described as her commitment to grassroots development and empowerment through programmes targeted at women, children and vulnerable Nigerians.
The traditional rulers described the First Lady as an exceptional First Lady, saying she had used the platform of her office to make a significant impact through various empowerment and social intervention programmes.
At the event, she pledged N500 million to support an empowerment programme led by Anambra’s First Lady, Nonye Soludo, for 5,000 beneficiaries. Each beneficiary is to receive N100,000 under the initiative.
The First Lady thanked the traditional rulers and people of Anambra for the warm reception and said the state held a special place in her heart.
“Anambra holds a very special space in my heart. Igbos are very nice people, very hospitable. My best friend in secondary school was an Igbo girl,” she said.
She stated that her engagements across the country had taken her through all six geopolitical zones and described the conclusion of the tour in Anambra as a successful mission.
“We’ve gone round all the six geopolitical zones of the state. We didn’t go on a wild goose chase. Instead, it was a mission accomplished,” she said.
She also called for continued support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, expressing confidence that Nigerians would give the government another opportunity at the next election.
“When the time comes, I believe you will give us another opportunity,” she said.
Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, praised Mrs. Tinubu for her interventions and described her as “a loving mother, very supportive wife and a woman that cares for humanity.” He said her initiatives demonstrated that public service could serve as a platform for philanthropy and social support.
Soludo also praised his wife for complementing the First Lady’s programmes in Anambra and said the empowerment of 5,000 women demonstrated the benefits of cooperation between different levels of government. He expressed confidence in the Tinubu administration, citing progress in security, human capital development, infrastructure and education.
Nonye Soludo thanked the First Lady for her support for women, children and vulnerable people in Anambra, saying, “No other Nigerian First Lady has recorded the achievements you’ve made in less than four years.”
She was accompanied by the First Ladies of Imo State, Chioma Uzodinma; Abia State, Chidimma Otti; and Kwara State, Olufolake Abdulrazaq.
Also on the delegation were the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Adekunle Salako Minister of Humanitarian Affairs. Bernard Doro Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund. Sonny Echono and wives of members of the Federal Executive Council, among others.
