First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has urged Nigerians to choose love over division, peace over conflict and hope over despair as the country marks its 66th Independence anniversary.
In her message to mark Independence Day, the First Lady said Nigeria’s diversity remained one of its biggest assets that must continue to be nurtured through peace, tolerance, dialogue, unity and patriotism.
She said the anniversary provided an opportunity to celebrate Nigeria’s resilience and honour the sacrifices of those who laid the foundation for the country’s freedom.
‘As Nigeria marks 66 years of independence, we celebrate the remarkable journey of a resilient nation and honour the sacrifices of those who laid the foundation for our freedom,’ Senator Tinubu said.
The First Lady noted that since gaining independence in 1960, Nigeria had confronted different challenges, embraced change and continued the task of building a stronger and more prosperous nation.
According to her, sustaining national progress would require Nigerians to protect the country’s diversity and resist forces capable of deepening division.
‘Our diversity remains one of our greatest assets; we must continue to nurture it through peace, tolerance, dialogue, unity, and love for country,’ the First Lady said.
Quoting American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., she added: ‘Love is the most durable power in the world.’
Senator Tinubu also called on Nigerians to remain hopeful about the country’s future and work collectively towards achieving the Nigeria of their dreams.
‘May we continue to choose love over division, peace over conflict, and hope over despair, as we work together towards attaining the Nigeria of our dreams,’ she said.
The First Lady prayed for God’s protection over Nigerians and for greater unity, peace and prosperity across the country.
‘I pray that Almighty God bless Nigeria, protect our people, strengthen our unity, guide our leaders, and grant our nation enduring peace, prosperity, and progress,’ she said.
She congratulated Nigerians on the occasion and the nation on its continued progress.
In another message to mark the 2026 International Day of Older Persons, the First Lady called for stronger social security measures and support systems to guarantee healthy, productive and dignified lives for older Nigerians.
The occasion, which is also observed every October 1, was themed ‘The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives.’
Senator Tinubu said the occasion should remind society of its collective responsibility to ensure that senior citizens were adequately protected and provided with opportunities to remain active and relevant.
According to her, older persons were custodians of invaluable wisdom and experience whose contributions to families and communities should continue to be recognised and appreciated.
‘Senior citizens are custodians of invaluable wisdom and experience. They must never be abandoned, ignored, or excluded; rather, they should be supported and given meaningful opportunities to participate in family and community life,’ she said.
Mrs Tinubu urged families and communities across the country to continue to value the counsel of older persons and draw lessons from their experiences.
She also stressed the need for systems that would enable senior citizens to age with dignity while retaining meaningful roles within society.
‘I call on families and communities across Nigeria to continue to value their counsel, learn from their experiences, and strengthen the systems that enable them to age with dignity and continued relevance with adequate social security measures put in place,’ she said.
The First Lady said longer life expectancy should be matched by policies and social arrangements capable of guaranteeing the wellbeing, inclusion and security of the elderly.
She congratulated senior citizens in Nigeria and across the world on the International Day of Older Persons, reaffirming the importance of giving them the respect, care and opportunities they deserve.