By Anifowoshe Oladipupo
First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu on Thursday donated ₦1 billion to victims of recent violent attacks in Plateau State, clarifying that the gesture was driven by love for the country, not political ambition.
Speaking at the Government House in Rayfield, Jos, Mrs. Tinubu said the donation was made through her Renewed Hope Initiative and not from government funds.
“This is a visit filled with mixed emotions for me. I came here first as a mother whose heart bleeds each time I hear of killings, violence, or bloodshed,” she said.
She expressed hope that such visits would no longer be necessary, declaring, “I want to assure you that this will be the last time I respond to such a situation in Plateau. I pray God honours this, and henceforth, it shall be for the state’s progress.”
Explaining the purpose of the donation, she said, “I have come with ₦1 billion for the Renewed Hope Initiative. I do not have vast sums of money, but what I have is meant to give life, not to pour money into a basket. If I kept money for personal gain, it would only satisfy greed, but I aim to use what I have for the good and development of this country.”
Senator Tinubu also disclosed that she met with Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang two days earlier to discuss her desire to engage with traditional and religious leaders in the state on peace-building efforts.
She tied her message to the renewed sense of national pride, referencing the re-adoption of the old national anthem.
“When Mr. President reverted to the old national anthem, it reminded us of patriotism and love for our land. When we hear the line, ‘To hand on to our children a banner,’ we must reflect on our legacy,” she said.
“But with the killings, rapes, and terror we see today, we must ask ourselves: have we truly protected our land?” she concluded.
