Office of Remi Tinubu, the first lady of Nigeria, has addressed the recent controversy following her visit to the Delta State College of Nursing Sciences.
The visit occurred during a solidarity event for healthcare workers held on March 27 at the Dome Event Centre in Asaba, where the first lady aimed to provide support to the healthcare sector by distributing 10,000 kits to midwives in the south-south geopolitical zone.
During the ceremony, an event host introduced the first lady with a customary title in Pidgin English, referring to her as “our mama.”
In response, students at the nursing school collectively sang, “na your mama be this,” which translates to “she’s your own mother,” indicating their disagreement with the title.
Following the incident, the management of the nursing school issued a query to the student who filmed the video, labeling it a “malicious act.”
However, this query was later retracted.
A statement signed by Busola Kukoyi, senior special assistant on media to the first lady, has now acknowledged the video’s circulation.
It, however, described the students’ chants as a “spontaneous and playful twist” to the welcome song.
The statement also noted that Remi Tinubu “appreciates the warm reception” from the Delta state government, the people of Delta, and the healthcare professionals at the event.
While recognising the institution’s right to enforce discipline, the first lady’s office emphasised the importance of allowing students to express themselves in a safe and supportive academic environment.
It urged the Delta State College of Nursing Sciences to approach the matter with “fairness and understanding”, ensuring a “balance between discipline and free expression”.
