Nigerians have taken to social media to express their varied opinions after the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, honored Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, by unveiling a golden statue in her likeness. The grand tribute has sparked mixed reactions from the public, with some lauding the gesture while others question its necessity and the funds used for such a display.
The statue was unveiled during a high-profile ceremony held at Obafemi Awolowo University in Osun State. The event saw the attendance of prominent guests and dignitaries from across Nigeria, as the Ooni presented several commissioned artworks. Among them was the golden statue of Senator Remi Tinubu, which has now become the focal point of heated discussions online.
In his speech during the event, Oba Ogunwusi praised the First Lady for her exemplary leadership qualities, her unwavering dedication to improving education, and her relentless efforts to promote women’s empowerment and gender equality. He also commended her for fostering national unity and creating opportunities for marginalized groups. Along with the statue, the monarch contributed a 2.7-kilometer road, named the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Way, and a pavilion with a monument dedicated to her on the university grounds.
Sharing photos of the event on his Instagram page, the Ooni of Ife captioned them:
“As I begin my 50th birthday celebrations with meaningful activities for the people of Ile-Ife, I was honored to welcome Her Excellency, the First Lady of Nigeria, to the Royal Court of Ife.
“Her visit, attended by dignitaries, marked the unveiling of the OJAJA hostel, and the commissioning of a 2.7-kilometer road and a pavilion named in her honor at Obafemi Awolowo University. These events reflect our shared commitment to progress for our community and nation.
“Her Excellency’s journey from a student at Obafemi Awolowo University over 41 years ago to a national leader is inspiring. She has consistently championed the rights of women and children across Nigeria, advocating for gender equality, education, and social welfare. Her support for entrepreneurial programs has fostered a new generation of female leaders, contributing to national development.”
The Ooni went further to encourage Nigerian leaders to emulate Senator Remi Tinubu’s dedication to service. “Like Her Excellency, I urge all leaders to serve Nigeria with integrity, compassion, and patriotism. Our nation requires socio-economic initiatives that reach all corners, and it is our duty to be sources of hope and strength in shaping Nigeria’s future.”
However, the tribute has not gone unnoticed by Nigerians on social media, many of whom have voiced strong opinions regarding the recognition. While some appreciated the gesture, others criticized it, questioning why such resources were used for a statue instead of addressing other pressing national issues.
A social media user @realTobiAkinbo took to Twitter to express his frustration, writing, “South West Rochas Okorocha iberiberism. The money used in building this nonsense can renovate or equip 50 schools with educational equipment.” This sentiment was echoed by another user, @JubaOluwaseun, who asked, “What has she done to deserve this? This is high profile sycophancy.”
As debates continue, the unveiling of the golden statue has fueled discussions on priorities in leadership and the use of resources. While some appreciate the recognition given to the First Lady, others believe there are better ways to honor her contributions to the country.
Watch the video below …
JUST IN: The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, unveiled a golden statue of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu
— Nigeria Stories (@NigeriaStories) October 11, 2024