First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday, paid private visits to two former leaders, Generals Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) and Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), in Minna, the Niger State capital.
The first lady told told journalists that the visit was a demonstration of respect for the two former leaders whom she described as ‘fathers of our nation’.
“I have not seen them in a while and we could not make it here while we were campaigning.
“Therefore, it is only right for me, as a Nigerian with proper upbringing, to come and greet them,” she said.
The first lady, who said that the visit was not political but a show of respect, added that Babangida and Abubakar had always encouraged President Bola Tinubu.
“We thank them for their patience, especially during the subsidy removal which caused agitations among Nigerians. It is good for us to pay our respect,” she stated.
She also recalled that during the national fabric campaign, Abubakar’s wife was there to support, emphasising the importance of showing respect to the former leaders.
“When I went to Abeokuta, I visited former President Olusegun Obasanjo and it is right for me to come and greet these two elders too because they have done a lot for our great nation,” she said.
Earlier, Abubakar commended the first lady for her visit, for what she had been doing and what she would continue to do, especially for young children, the motherless and orphans.
The former head of state also lauded the first lady for promoting Nigerian culture through the use of local fabrics.
He equally appreciated her efforts in carrying the governors’ wives along in all her activities and consulting with former first ladies.
The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the first lady was accompanied on the visits by the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima. NAN
