"You Are a Unifier" Ooni of Ife Eulogizes First Lady Remi Tinubu as She Launches Alternative High School for Girls in Osun

The Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has described Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu as a unifying factor in the nation's political space.

The Ooni gave the commendation on Tuesday in Osogbo, the Osun State capital at the official turning of sod of the Alternative High School for Girls in the State by the First Lady.

“It’s very obvious that you are a unifier in this country. We can see all our First Ladies behind our powerful political leaders are all sitting here.

"Very gentle and amiable, they are the driving force behind all these political leaders.

"You are a unifier in the sense that we have different political parties here at present. We have Labor Party, APC, and PDP Governors’ wives here.

The First Class monarch who spoke on behalf of other traditional rulers in the state also thanked the First Lady for always being supportive.

“It is God that makes today a reality, I am welcoming our dear mother Senator Oluremi Tinubu. I want to use this opportunity to express my deep appreciation for always being there on behalf of all the traditional rulers, anytime I call on you you are always there. And I want to thank Almighty for your life the way our Governor said it that is very happy, I think am happier that you are here.

“We will wait for you over and over again for us to give you that honour. It’s very obvious that you are a unifier in this country we can see all our First Ladies behind our powerful political leaders they are all sitting here, very gentle and amiable, they are the driving force behind all these political leaders that we are. But you unifier in the sense that we have different political parties here, we have Labor Party, APC, and PDP Governors’ wives here.

“Our First Lady I want to thank you once again. On behalf of all the traditional rulers am using that medium to great all of you wives of the Vice President I want to thank you and welcome to the root and source of ‘we’ Yoruba people I want to welcome you and also the wife our Chief Staff to the Federation thank you very much for the support you give to our First Lady and to thank all of you here.

“I want to thank you all for your support to the First Lady we have never seen such mobilization before very very balanced and wonderful.”

In the same vein, Governor Ademola Adeleke expressed while be welcoming the First Lady be expressed his excitement at her visit, describing her as a detribalised First Lady.

The Governor also acknowledged the support his administration has been enjoying in the hands of traditional rulers in the state.

“I want to tell Your Excellency that our traditional rulers have been supporting my government. I want to welcome you to Osun State. You are a detribalised First Lady”.

her speech, the First Lady decried the alarming rate of school dropouts among girls, noting that it is a stark reminder of the need for alternative solutions in their educational pursuits.

"This ceremony marks the beginning of an opportunity for a new chapter and a chance for a promising future for the exceptional young girls and women who would walk through the doors of this very school.

“Therefore, I am delighted to be part of this crucial endeavour today. Let me also reiterate that Osun State was chosen as the location for this school through a transparent and unbiased raffle draw process at a strategic meeting with the State First Ladies.

So, be rest assured that, the siting of this school here in Osogbo, emanated from a fair process and it is a divinely guided one.

“I am using education as a tool to promote the Campaign in Nigeria. This campaign recognizes that true equality requires equal access to education and that educated women are the foundation of strong, prosperous societies. The official launch date of the event will be in May 2024 by the special grace of God.

“As we embark on this noble endeavour, let us remember the words of Nelson Mandela, who once said, Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” 

"I urge us to commit to this, knowing that with education, we can break the chains of poverty, ignorance, and inequality, by providing our women and girls with tools and resources to thrive and succeed. 

"Very soon, by the special grace of God, we will be back here to officially commission a fully built and furnished school on the blocks we have laid today.”, the first Lady said.

Mrs Tinubu arrived at the Government House, Oke-Fia, Osogbo around 12:30 pm on in the company of the wives of the Vice President, Nana Shettima, and the Chief of Staff of the President, Salamatu Gbajabiamila.

She was received by wives of governors led by the wife of state governor, Titilola Adeleke.

Wives of governors present at the Government House include Bamidele Abiodun (Ogun), Sefiyat Ododo (Kogi), Professor Olufolake AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Tobore Oborevwori (Delta), Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Betsy Obaseki (Edo) and Olayemi Oyebanji (Ekiti).