President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has paid tribute to the pioneer Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs Oluremi Debbie Olowu, saying her leadership helped transform the agency from a largely relief-oriented department into a structured emergency humanitarian institution.
The President, in a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the former NEMA chief as a lawyer, public servant, community leader and nation-builder whose career has been defined by courage, compassion and commitment to humanity.
Tinubu particularly highlighted Olowu’s tenure as Director-General of NEMA between 1999 and 2002, describing the period as one of the defining chapters of her distinguished public service career.
He said Olowu provided critical leadership at a formative period in the history of the agency and helped lay the foundation for a more organised approach to emergency and humanitarian response in the country.
‘At 80, your story stands as a testament to what a determined woman can accomplish when intellect is matched with vision, integrity and a deep concern for others.
‘Your tenure as Director-General of NEMA (1999 to 2002) remains one of the defining years of your distinguished career. You provided leadership at a critical period and helped transform the organisation from what was essentially a relief-oriented department into a more structured emergency humanitarian institution’, the President said.
Beyond her public service record, Tinubu also praised the octogenarian for what he described as her generosity, advocacy and interventions in the lives of individuals and families during difficult periods.
According to the President, Olowu’s commitment to helping people in distress had brought hope and assistance to many who faced hardship and seemingly had nowhere else to turn.
‘Through your generosity, advocacy, leadership and interventions at critical periods, countless individuals and families have found hope where there was despair, assistance where there was hardship, and a helping hand when they had nowhere else to turn. You made a difference’, Tinubu said.
The President said Olowu’s accomplishments demonstrated the impact that integrity, vision and compassion could have when deployed in the service of society.
He joined her family, friends and associates in celebrating the milestone and wished the former NEMA Director-General continued strength and fulfilment.
‘As you mark this special milestone, may Almighty God continue to bless you with peace, renewed strength, good health, fulfilment and abundant joy’, Tinubu said.