By Mary Omolewa
Some Nigeria women have called on Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, the new First Lady of Nigeria to use her office in advocating for women inclusion in President Bola Tinubu’ administration.
The women congratulating the first lady on her assumption of office on Monday, urged her to support women groups in pushing for the office of the first lady to become constitutional and for women to be more heard.
Mrs Ifeyinwa Omowole, the immediate past National President, National Association of Women Journalist (NAWOJ) said the new first lady should support women groups for the sponsorship of Gender Equity Bill where women’s right is enforced.
“We want a situation where we would no longer have child marriages, where a girl-child will have a place at the polity of things and be more involved in activities.
“We need her to work closely with women groups, work on current projects that affect women and focus on women in the rural communities and ensure that their lives become better.
“She also needs to work with whoever emerges as Minister of Women Affairs so that we can continue to advocate for women’s right, appointments and ensuring women winning elections.
Mrs Oluyemi Abeleje, a retired Teacher, said she was glad that President Bola Tinubu won the election gallantly adding that she was happy that the first lady would work with him in putting women interest first because, “When you win a woman’s heart, you have won the heart of both her family and every other person around her.
“I’m optimistic that the president and our first lady will do everything possible in pushing the country forward especially by working for the interest of women.
“Nigerian women are strong and hardworking but being that should not come with suffering, I believe that the president’s wife will use her office to address the issues that cause women pains and that make them die young.
“Our health centres need to be well equipped with modern facilities and the workers should be encouraged to work professionally.
“Our first lady should pay attention to issues that affect the women and children most, she is the ears of her husband, and should listen to the cries of Nigeria women and get it to her husband to address it.
“She should ensure that professions like teaching, farming, medicals, fashion among others are focused on for our women to have more training and financial support from the government to do their jobs.
Miss Elizabeth Ogugua, applauded the first lady for her support for her husband all the way until he won the election.
She advised the first lady to focus on developing projects that would take the youths off the streets and give them jobs that would cause them to actualise their dreams.
She said most youths are trapped in doing illicit jobs while some are depressed because they cannot fend for themselves because they were denied the opportunities to showcase their talents and do legal job.
Mrs Christianah Adejo said the first lady should encourage more women to get involved in politics. Saying that data showed that women were underrepresented at all levels of decision-making in Nigeria.
Hajia Zainab Bello a Medical Doctor who wishes the first lady and her husband a successful administration, pleads with the first lady to work with professionals “Nigeria does not need emotion to hire people to work with rather trusted professionals who can carry out jobs without regrets.
“I have no doubt that the new first lady will support her husband in engaging capable hands, most especially the youths when it comes to appointment.
“My problem now is that we should stop engaging those that scam us with foreign certificates and start engaging the people that actually studied in this country and voted.’’
Mrs Tinubu was born on Sept. 21, 1960 to Itsekiri mother and Yoruba father. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from the University of Ife, and has undertaken several courses in some higher institutions. She served as the wife of Lagos State Governor between 1999 and 2007 and thereafter was elected Senator representing Lagos Central in the Senate.
She executed many philanthropic activities to alleviate the plight of vulnerable people in her Constituency.
Following her husband’s victory in the 2023 presidential election and swearing in ceremony on May 29, she became the country’s 16th first lady and assumed office after.