Akakan Umoh
Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, on Thursday paid a “home-coming visit” to Warri Kingdom in Delta State, and urged Nigerians to “embrace unity beyond ethnic and religious divides.”
Warri Kingdom is the First Lady’s maternal ancestral home.
Accompanied by notable traditional rulers from the South West, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Mrs Tinubu was received with a grand homecoming ceremony attended by Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, members of the National Assembly, and other dignitaries.
During the event at the royal palace of the Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III conferred on the First Lady the honorary chieftaincy title of Utukpa-Oritse of Warri Kingdom, meaning “Bearer of Light and Prosperity.”
Also read: Remi Tinubu backs Gov Eno daughter’s choice as Akwa Ibom First Lady
Mrs Tinubu described the occasion as “a homecoming filled with gratitude and pride” and acknowledged her Itsekiri heritage as foundational to her values and public service.
She also announced a N50 million empowerment package for 1,000 women engaged in petty trading in Warri Kingdom as part of her Renewed Hope Initiative.
She pledged further support for young men in collaboration with the Delta State Government.
Reflecting on national unity, Mrs Tinubu highlighted the coinciding Christian Lenten season and Muslim fasting period as a call for togetherness, citing Psalm 133:1-3, and emphasised the need for Nigerians to “embrace unity beyond ethnic and religious divides.”
The Olu of Warri described her visit as “divinely ordained and symbolic of a new season of unity, healing, and alignment for the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large.”
He praised her humility and strong support for her husband and assured her of the kingdom’s prayers while presenting requests on behalf of the people.
Addressing the large crowd at the palace, Governor Oborevwori praised the First Lady’s performance during her time in the Senate, noting that she consistently supported policies that positively impacted Nigerians.
He described her as a proud daughter of the Itsekiri nation with a strong record of public service.
“We can all attest to how she stood firm during her time in the Senate. Nigerians are blessed to have a humble and compassionate First Lady who genuinely cares for the poor and vulnerable in our communities,” the governor said.
Oborevwori noted that the visit marked the First Lady’s third official trip to Delta State in two years.
He recalled her August 2024 visit to launch the Renewed Hope Initiative empowerment programme for the South-South in Asaba, and her March 2025 visit to introduce the Free to Shine programme, during which 10,000 professional kits were distributed to midwives across the region to strengthen healthcare services.
He also commended her respect for traditional institutions, recalling that during a previous visit she took time to honour royal fathers outside the official programme.
“That act of love and respect made many things easier for me as governor. Even when we were in opposition, she showed us love. God will continue to bless you,” he added.
The governor further praised her international recognition, referencing her participation at the 4th National Prayer Congress in the United States.
“It is fitting to call you a global icon. We are proud of the way you represented Nigeria on the global stage,” he said.
Reaffirming Delta State’s support for President Tinubu and his reforms, the governor, who received the First Lady alongside his wife at Osubi Airport, assured her of continued support for the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Please tell Mr President that Delta State stands firmly with him and his reforms for a better nation. You can always count on our support,” he said.
The visit also provided a platform for the governor to outline ongoing infrastructure projects in Warri, including the Trans-Warri Road and the Enerhen flyover, with plans for further expansion toward the Nigerian Ports Authority corridor.
Senator Tinubu has received honours and traditional titles from different parts of Nigeria.
In December 2025, the Ooni of Ife gave her the title Yeye Asiwaju Gbogbo Ile Oodua, a title once held by the late HID Awolowo.
She was also named Iya Oba of Ikorodu in August 2025, Sarauniyar Yaki (Warrior Queen) by the Akko Emirate in October 2025, and Ugosimba 1 of Enugu in June 2025.
She has also received national honours. She is a Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), one of Nigeria’s top awards.
‘I once faced Persecution and religious bias’- Remi Tinubu
Recently, Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, said she once faced persecution and religious bias for being married to a Muslim.
Speaking during an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) in Washington, the First Lady addressed concerns about alleged religious killings in Nigeria and the country’s broader security situation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Responding to claims of systemic targeting of Christians, Tinubu said she does not believe the violence in Nigeria fits the description of genocide.
“I don’t think so,” she said, explaining that insecurity in the country is driven largely by terrorism, criminality, and longstanding instability rather than a coordinated religious agenda.
“When you have terrorists and people kidnapping for money, and when the world is throwing in a narrative that is Christian genocide, terrorists will latch onto that and begin to attack churches,” she stated.
An ordained Pentecostal pastor, Tinubu stated that she personally experienced hostility because of her Christian faith and her marriage to President Bola Tinubu, a Muslim.
“There was a Muslim cleric that said I’m a heathen,” she revealed, noting that many of those who defended her at the time were Muslims from Northern Nigeria.
The First Lady said her nearly four-decade interfaith marriage reflects the complex and often misunderstood nature of religious relations in Nigeria.
“If I’m going to enjoy my marriage, Jesus has to come in and give me that peace. My husband is a good man,” she stated.
While rejecting the genocide narrative, Tinubu acknowledged the gravity of insecurity in Nigeria and welcomed international cooperation in combating terrorism.
She commended US President Donald Trump for American military support against terrorist groups, noting that improved security had helped prevent attacks during the last Christmas celebration.
Nigeria continues to grapple with insurgency, banditry, and communal violence, with thousands killed and millions displaced over the years – a crisis that has fueled ongoing global debate about the drivers and dimensions of insecurity in the country.
