Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has predicted that the country will become wealthy enough to lend money to other nations by 2026.
Senator Tinubu made the bold declaration on Sunday in Ile-Ife, Osun State, after receiving a chieftaincy title at an event celebrating the 10th anniversary of the coronation of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
The First Lady was conferred with the title of Yeye Asiwaju Gbogbo Ile Oodua at the well-attended ceremony.
Several prominent Nigerians attended the event, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, wife of the Vice President Nana Shettima, former First Lady Patience Jonathan, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, and former Speaker of the House of Representatives Dimeji Bankole.
Other dignitaries present included former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Deputy Governor of Lagos State Dr Obafemi Hamzat, Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly Mudashiru Obasa, Deputy Governor of Osun State Kola Adewusi, and former Osun First Lady Kafayat Oyetola.
Traditional rulers at the event included the Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, Olu of Warri Ogiame Atuwatse III, Orangun of Ila Oba Abdulwahab Oyedotun, and Soun of Ogbomoso Oba Ghandi Olaoye.
In her address, Senator Tinubu thanked the Ooni for the honor bestowed on her and expressed optimism about Nigeria’s economic future.
“Today is not a day of long speeches, I want to thank the people of Ile-Ife, I also thank the Ooni of Ile-Ife for bestowing such honour,” she said.
Speaking in a mixture of Yoruba and English, the First Lady made her prediction about Nigeria’s economic transformation.
“Nigeria’s joy has come; those wondering how we want to do it, we will show them how things are being done. By 2026, Nigeria will be in prosperity; we will be lending to other nations,” Senator Tinubu declared.
She emphasized that the Tinubu administration would achieve remarkable progress that would surprise many people.
“It is important to say it here at the source of the Yoruba race today, that during the administration of President Bola Tinubu, people will wonder how he has been able to achieve such milestone,” she stated.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi, praised Senator Tinubu for her support since he became king and acknowledged the significant role former President Obasanjo has played in supporting the throne.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, in his goodwill message, prayed for a long reign for the Ooni and asked for prayers for the country’s leaders to guide the people in the right direction.
Governor Adeleke, while addressing the gathering, commended Oba Ogunwusi for bringing a new approach to traditional rulership and promoting Yoruba culture globally.
“Our royal father demonstrated what it means to have an empowered royal father. With strong economic footing and limitless capacity for local and global networking, his majesty changes the narration of traditional rulership. In the last one decade, his imperial majesty has pushed ahead with the branding of Ile-Ife as the cultural capital of the Yoruba people,” Adeleke said.
The governor said his government would support the Ooni’s vision of making Ile-Ife a cultural capital.
“In line with that vision, our government embarked on an infrastructure upgrade of Ile-Ife with 14 roads completed so far and several others ongoing. We are about to complete the first ever flyover in this cradle of Yoruba nation,” Adeleke announced.
The First Lady’s prediction comes as the Tinubu administration continues to implement economic reforms aimed at improving Nigeria’s financial situation and reducing dependence on foreign loans.
