By Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
THE First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has expressed concern that many Nigerians fail to appreciate their leaders due to deep-seated resentment and politically driven narratives.
Mrs Tinubu shared her views in a Facebook post days after receiving international recognition from United States President Donald Trump, who publicly described her as a “very respected woman”.
The commendation came during the annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC, an event attended by members of the US Congress, religious leaders and guests from across the world.
While addressing participants on faith, leadership and global religious freedom, President Trump singled out Nigeria’s First Lady for praise.
Reacting to the recognition, Mrs Tinubu lamented what she described as a widening gap between the respect Nigerian leaders enjoy abroad and the treatment they receive at home.
“Most of our leaders are highly respected and honoured abroad, yet many Nigerians fail to value what they have because of hatred and the narratives planted in their minds by political paymasters, which have also hardened their hearts,” she wrote.
She also criticised the culture of public ridicule and online abuse directed at Nigerian leaders, warning that such behaviour weakens national cohesion and hinders collective progress.
“They bully these leaders, speak ill of them, demean them, curse them, and even seize upon their mistakes to drag them across social media, ridiculing and mocking them publicly,” the First Lady added.
Mrs Tinubu’s remarks have since sparked debate online, with supporters and critics alike weighing in on the broader issue of leadership, public accountability and civic responsibility in Nigeria.
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