By Ronke Akase
His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has penned an emotional birthday message to his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, describing her as his crown, truest friend and confidante.
In the heartfelt message titled “Oluremi mi, Senator Oluremi Tinubu – I WOULD CHOOSE THE SAME ROAD THAT LED ME TO YOU”, the President celebrated the First Lady as she marks her birthday.
President Tinubu said his wife has walked beside him with patience, grace and uncommon courage through every season of his life and political journey.
“Today, I celebrate the woman who has walked beside me with patience, grace and uncommon courage,” the President said.
Quoting a Yoruba adage and the Holy Bible, Tinubu said his wife has given true meaning to the description of a virtuous woman.
“Àwọn àgbà sọ pé, ‘Ìyàwó rere ni adé ọkọ rẹ̀.’ A good wife is her husband’s crown. The Book of Proverbs, which you know far better than I do, also speaks eloquently of the worth of a virtuous woman. You have given these words true meaning in my life. You have stood by my side through every season,” he wrote.
The President reflected on how the First Lady has shared his burdens, offering calm, prayers and counsel even in difficult times when the future was uncertain.
“The burdens that were mine to bear often found their way onto your shoulders. The thoughts I could not put into words somehow found their way to you. In difficult times, when the future was uncertain, you stayed calm beside me and prayed with me. Through all these years, you have remained the one who truly understands me,” he noted.
Tinubu noted that Senator Oluremi Tinubu has an uncommon ability to sense when he needs counsel, adding that her presence alone has often been enough to guide him.
“More often than not, you sense when I need counsel before I ask. There have been nights when your presence alone was counsel enough. I call you my truest friend and confidante because you speak the truth plainly, even on the days I would rather not hear it,” President Tinubu stressed.
The President also praised his wife’s honesty, saying she waits until they are alone to tell him what he needs to hear, even after a demanding day.
“After a demanding day, you wait until we are alone before telling me what I need to hear. I have always cherished you for that honesty,” he maintained.
He said their home bears the lasting imprint of her devotion, and that their children and grandchildren have grown under the shelter of her prayers, carrying her values of faith and kindness.
“Our home bears the lasting imprint of your devotion. Our children and grandchildren have grown beneath the shelter of your prayers. They carry your values of faith and kindness wherever life takes them,” Tinubu stated.
The President further celebrated the First Lady’s compassion and service to humanity, noting that Nigerians know her for kindness, generosity of spirit and steadfast faith.
“Nigerians know you for your compassion, kindness, generosity of spirit and steadfast faith. I have watched you touch lives quietly and consistently, offering hope and support to those in need,” he stated.
President Bola Tinubu recalled her interventions from the New Era Foundation during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State to the Renewed Hope Initiative as First Lady of Nigeria, which he said has reached young boys and girls, widows, elderly citizens and women farmers across the country.
“From the New Era Foundation during our years in the saddle in Lagos to the Renewed Hope Initiative today, your care has reached many young boys and girls, widows, elderly citizens, and women farmers across the country. Those affected by tuberculosis or any disease at all have found in you a compassionate advocate and a determined champion,” he noted.
President Tinubu said his wife offers prayers for people whose names she may never know and helps many without ever meeting them, stressing that for her, compassion has never recognized boundaries of tribe, region or religion.
“I know the prayers you offer for people whose names you may never know. I also know many whom you have helped without ever meeting them. For you, compassion has never recognized the boundaries of tribe, region or religion,” he wrote.
The birthday tribute has since drawn reactions from Nigerians who have described it as a rare public display of love and appreciation from the President to his wife.
