Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu says the fasting period of both Christians and Muslims falling at the same period is a direct message from God to Nigerians.
She stated this at the interfaith Breaking of Fast (Iftar/ Lent) she held for women from across all sectors.
The First Lady explained that the message is a strong one about harmonious living and unity.
“Jesus said in the Bible that He did not come to abolish the law but the laws Moses brought down from the mountain can be summarized in 2, love God and love one another,” she said.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu drew from her nearly four-decade interfaith marriage to President Bola Tinubu to preach religious harmony.
She highlighted personal peaceful coexistence as a counter to insecurity and division, urging service with “excellence, compassion, and integrity.
“Today, like I said, is indeed a great day. It is a day that God only made for us to gather together, and for women, first, from different backgrounds. Since the Ramadan fast was announced, and the Lenten season began together, it was like God was speaking to us as a nation.
“Recently, we know a lot of things have been going on and people are trying to target towards our religious beliefs… And we Nigerians, we know that most of the time that is not the case. Some of us are married to men of different faith, and we lived together among us for many years. Me, almost 40 years.
“And I can tell you, I cannot remember when both of us raised our voices at each other. Maybe not more than twice in the 40 years, I can tell you that. So we’ve been quite mature and respectful about that. And I believe that’s the best way to live together”.
Speaking on the theme of the lecture of the Interfaith Breaking of Fast, the First Lady challenged women in public roles.
“Most women in this room, either you have your own office, or your husband is in the public office… you as the wife has the role to play.”
She urged Nigerians to drop “entitlement”mentality.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu also stressed on the need to mentor youths.
“We all have a lot of work to do, especially for the young people. You have to mentor them… The old school is still modern… So we have the real intelligence to pass on to the next generation,” the First Lady said.
Director at National Open University of Nigeria, Prof. Ganiyat Adejoke Adesina-Uthman, tackled a “crisis of trust” in public office. Speaking on the topic: “Serving with Excellence, Compassion and Integrity in Public Life On excellence”, she stressed that integrity was non-negotiable.
“If you are lacking in integrity, then you are clearly fraud… Your name and your character must be the same… Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.”
Bishop Sally William Chinebu of Dominion Church International echoed the theme biblically.
“If we look at the life of our ultimate example, Jesus Christ… Think of these three factors, excellence, compassion and entireness… When women get up… they create unprecedented force.
“Excellence is not decided as a profession… With the excellence of Christ. Excellence without compassion is cold… He (Jesus) saw them, He felt for them… Compassion is not just a feeling.” “We are serving the Lord… May we all, by grace of God, be willing to serve our generation,” he said.
The event was attended by Former First Lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan; Wife of the Vice President Hajia Nana Shettima; Wife of former Vice President Hajia Namadi Sambo; Wife of Senate President, Mrs Ekaette Akpabio; Mrs Fatima Tajudeen Abass, female National Assembly members, female judges, female ministers among very many others.
