The Office of Oluremi, President Bola Tinubu’s wife, has disowned the query issued to a Delta State Nursing Student, Osato Edobor, over a viral video where students were seen “rejecting” the President’s wife as their mother.
The incident, it was earlier reported, had occurred when Oluremi visited Delta State.
The event, held on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at the Dome Event Centre in Asaba, was part of the Renewed Hope Initiative’s donation of 10,000 professional kits to midwives in the South-South region.
The First Lady’s office stated that what was experienced at the event was a warm reception from the Delta State Government, the people of Delta State, and the enthusiastic participation of nurses, midwives, women’s groups, and student nurses at the event.
“We deeply appreciate the warm reception,” a spokesperson for the First Lady’s office said. “The support from the Delta State Government, the people of Delta State, and the enthusiasm shown by nurses, midwives, women’s groups, and student nurses is truly inspiring.”
The office of Oluremi Tinubu noted that the expressions by students in the now circulated video was borne out of excitement.
“It was a playful and spontaneous expression of excitement,” the spokesperson continued.
“We understand that students sometimes express themselves in lighthearted ways, and we don’t want to take away from the spirit of joy that was felt at the event.”
Following this, reports surfaced that some students from the Delta State College of Nursing Sciences had been issued queries for their involvement in the chants. “We’ve been made aware that some students were issued queries for their participation,” the statement said.
“While the First Lady’s office respects the authority of educational institutions, we believe that students should be allowed to express themselves in moments of excitement, as long as they maintain a sense of respect.”
“Students often express themselves in playful and spontaneous ways, and it is crucial that institutions foster environments where students feel free to do so, while also maintaining respect and decorum,” the First Lady’s office emphasised. “We believe this is an important aspect of a healthy educational environment.”
The First Lady’s office further reiterated that the visit was intended to motivate and inspire healthcare professionals, and expressed hope that the event would be remembered as a positive and uplifting experience for all involved. “The visit was meant to uplift healthcare professionals,” the statement read. “We hope the event remains a source of motivation for everyone who attended.”
The Office of the First Lady called on the Delta State College of Nursing Sciences to approach the matter with understanding and fairness, ensuring that students can thrive in an environment that balances discipline with the freedom of expression.
“We trust that the Delta State College of Nursing Sciences will handle this matter with understanding and fairness,” the office stated. “It’s important that students are allowed to thrive in an environment that balances discipline with the freedom to express themselves.”
“We hope the institution will consider the context of the event and the excitement of the students when addressing this matter,” the First Lady’s office concluded. “Our ultimate goal is to ensure that this remains a positive experience for all involved.”
SaharaReporters earlier reported that the query had generated wide condemnation with Nigerians questioning the motivation behind issuing such query to the Nursing student.
In the video, the master of ceremony was seen refering to Oluremi Tinubu as everyone’s mother, however some section of students refused to accept that she was their mother, instead saying that she (Oluremi Tinubu) was the MCs mother, not theirs.
Earlier SaharaReporters reported that the Delta State Ministry of Health asked Osato Edobor, a student of the Delta State College of Nursing Sciences, to record a video thanking Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for intervening in her case after the school issued a query letter to her.
Edobor had received the query after posting a video about Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s visit to Delta State, which highlighted how students humiliated her during the event.
The query earlier issued before the eventual withdrawal read, “It has come to the notice of the school authority that you, Student Nurse Osato Edobor on the 25th of March, 2025 during official visit of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON at Dome Event Center, Asaba for the Renewed Hope Initiative Health Programme and distribution of 10,000 Professional Kits (Crocs and Scrubs) to Midwives in each Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria South South Zone, was found to be engage in malicious act of recording/singing and posting unofficial response to song during the arrival of the First Lady (found on your TikTok Page).
“This is a punishable offence as enshrined in the Student Handbook under standardised disciplinary action for some punishable offences No. 8. Page 21.
“You are therefore requested to explain in writing in triplicate copies within 24 hours of receipt of this letter why disciplinary action should not be taken against you for this act.”
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