Oba of Benin Lauds First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, Seeks Partnership on Women, Children Welfare.

Oba of Benin Lauds First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, Seeks Partnership on Women, Children Welfare.

The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, has lauded Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for projecting Nigeria positively on the global stage.

The revered monarch gave the commendation on Thursday when the First Lady paid him a courtesy visit at his Palace in Benin City, as part of her one day official visit to Edo State.

The visit came shortly after she commissioned 50 CNG buses and empowered 5,000 women at Garrick Memorial Field, and ahead of activities marking the 10th Coronation Anniversary of the Oba.

In an address delivered on his behalf by his daughter, Princess Ikuoyemwen Aimiuwu Ewuare, the Oba said he was proud of the First Lady’s international engagements, including the acknowledgement she recently received from US President Donald Trump.

He said such recognition was not only an honour to her but also pride to the entire nation, as it boosts Nigeria’s image internationally.

Oba Seeks Alliance With First Lady

The Oba urged Senator Tinubu to partner with the Oba Ewuare II Foundation to drive programmes targeted at women, children, families and vulnerable persons.

According to him, the Foundation was set up to uphold Edo cultural values and dignity while intervening in critical areas of human development.

He listed its focus areas to include:

– Scholarships for indigent students

– Promotion of Edo language

– Vocational and skills acquisition training

– Rehabilitation of victims of human trafficking and irregular migration

He noted that a partnership would help scale up these interventions and address the plight of vulnerable groups, stressing that empowering women and youths was key to building stable families and a secured future.

The monarch reiterated the readiness of the Benin Palace to collaborate with government and credible institutions to advance peace, unity and development.

First Lady Response:

Responding, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu thanked the Oba for his fatherly blessings and prayed for long life on the throne. She said she was happy to be in Benin at a time the Kingdom is celebrating 10 years of Ewuare II’s reign, which has brought peace and cultural revival.

She said her Renewed Hope Initiative will be open to working with the Oba Ewuare II Foundation, especially on girls education and human trafficking, which is dear to Edo.

The courtesy visit ended with royal blessings, with the Oba praying for President Bola Tinubu and the nation.

The First Lady was accompanied by Governor Monday Okpebholo, Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Edo First Lady Mrs. Edesili Anani, and other dignitaries.