Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has called on Nigerians to abandon what she described as an “entitlement mentality” and instead embrace responsibility, integrity and service to the nation.
She made the call during an interfaith gathering of women held in Abuja, where Muslim and Christian women came together for a joint Breaking of Fast event during the ongoing fasting seasons.
The event brought together women from different sectors of the country, including those in public office, community leadership and civil society.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi, the First Lady used the occasion to encourage Nigerians to focus on contributing positively to society rather than expecting benefits without effort.
Speaking during the gathering, the First Lady said the progress of the country depends on the willingness of citizens to serve with commitment and integrity.
She said Nigerians must avoid attitudes that place personal gain above the common good.
According to her, the idea that individuals are entitled to benefits simply because they hold positions or belong to certain groups can harm national development.
She urged citizens to focus instead on hard work, accountability and service to others.
The First Lady said people in leadership positions, including political office holders and their families, must set good examples for others to follow.
She also encouraged women whose husbands occupy public offices to support them in promoting responsible leadership.
“Most women in this room either hold positions themselves or have husbands in public office,” she said. “As wives and leaders, you also have an important role to play.”
The gathering took place at a time when the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan coincides with the Christian season of Lent.
The First Lady described the coincidence as a special moment that sends a message of unity to the country.
She said the two religious seasons encourage reflection, sacrifice and compassion, values that are important for building peace and cooperation in society.
According to her, the fact that both faiths are observing fasting at the same time should remind Nigerians that they share many common values.
“Today is indeed a great day,” she said. “It is a day God made for us to gather together as women from different backgrounds.”
She added that the period should be used to strengthen relationships among Nigerians and promote peaceful coexistence.
Nigeria is home to both Muslims and Christians, and the country has sometimes experienced tensions linked to religious differences.
However, the First Lady said that in everyday life many Nigerians from different faiths live peacefully together.
She noted that interfaith marriages and friendships are common across many parts of the country.
According to her, these experiences show that people can respect each other’s beliefs and still live in harmony.
“Sometimes people try to create division around religion,” she said. “But most Nigerians know that this is not how we truly live.”
She explained that many families in the country include members from different religious backgrounds.
Drawing from her own life, the First Lady spoke about her marriage to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
She said mutual respect and understanding have been key to maintaining harmony in their relationship over the years.
According to her, they have been married for nearly four decades and have maintained a peaceful relationship through maturity and respect.
“I cannot remember when both of us raised our voices at each other, maybe not more than twice in the last 40 years,” she said.
She explained that respect and patience are important values that help families remain united.
The First Lady said these same values can help strengthen relationships within communities and across the country.
The First Lady also used the occasion to highlight the important role women play in national development.
She encouraged women to see themselves as agents of change who can influence their families, communities and workplaces.
According to her, women in leadership positions have a duty to promote honesty, compassion and responsibility.
She said women can also support good governance by encouraging ethical behaviour among leaders.
The First Lady stressed that mothers and community leaders must guide younger generations by teaching them positive values.
She said the future of the country depends largely on the values that young people learn today.
“We must guide the younger generation and help them understand what is right,” she said.
Also speaking at the event was Ganiyat Adejoke Adesina-Uthman, a director at the National Open University of Nigeria.
She delivered a lecture titled “Serving with Excellence, Compassion and Integrity in Public Life.”
In her presentation, she expressed concern about what she described as a growing crisis of trust in public institutions.
According to her, many citizens have lost confidence in public officials because of corruption and poor accountability.
She said restoring trust requires leaders to demonstrate honesty and dedication in the way they serve the public.
Adesina-Uthman stressed that integrity should remain a non-negotiable value for anyone holding public office.
She also encouraged leaders to show compassion in their dealings with citizens, especially those facing economic hardship.
When citizens believe that leaders are acting in the public interest, they are more likely to support national development efforts.
However, when trust is weak, it can lead to frustration and reduce public cooperation.
Speakers at the event said promoting ethical leadership and responsible citizenship can help rebuild confidence in public institutions.
The First Lady concluded her remarks by urging Nigerians to work together to build a stronger and more united country.
She said national progress requires cooperation among citizens, community leaders and government institutions.
According to her, people must focus on shared values such as honesty, respect and compassion.
She encouraged Nigerians to use the spiritual lessons of Ramadan and Lent as a reminder of the importance of humility and service.
“These seasons remind us to care for others and live with integrity,” she said.
She added that if citizens and leaders alike commit themselves to these values, the country can move forward with greater unity and hope.
