First Lady Oluremi Tinubu yesterday urged fellow Nigerians to demonstrate greater compassion towards one another and deepen their love for the country. She noted that such values are essential for strengthening national unity and development.
Mrs. Tinubu said this while hosting the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Shaul Freeman, during a visit to her office in Abuja. NigerianBusiness Coverage
She said compassion, love and mutual assistance remained fundamental values that should guide relationships among Nigerians. The First Lady stressed that helping one another reflects both godliness and patriotism.
Senator Tinubu expressed confidence in Nigeria’s immense potential, describing the country as a land richly endowed with opportunities and capable of rewarding genuine investments.
In a statement in Abuja by her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi, the First Lady said: “I love Nigeria. It is a great country, and there is no investment that you put in Nigeria that goes to waste.
“The more I discover who we are, the more I see how blessed this nation is. I pray that the young people and the coming generation can see that this is a great nation.
“It is amazing how God has put us together, but to now find allies from foreign countries believing in this country is a great blessing.
“We really need to show compassion to one another, and showing compassion takes a lot of godliness. All it takes is for a comfortable person to help others,” she said.
The First Lady expressed appreciation for the support of countries that continue to partner with Nigeria, saying the confidence reposed in the country by its international allies should inspire citizens to believe more in the nation’s future.
Ambassador Freeman had praised Mrs. Tinubu for the interventions of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), particularly its programmes in women empowerment, agriculture, youth development, education, healthcare and technology.
He said the initiative had positively impacted vulnerable Nigerians and praised the First Lady’s commitment to improving the lives of disadvantaged groups.
The envoy, who said he would conclude his diplomatic assignment in Nigeria in one week, described his posting as one of the most rewarding experiences of his career.
According to him, Nigeria’s realities were far different from the negative perceptions often portrayed abroad, noting that his time in the country had strengthened Israel’s commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation. NigerianBusiness Coverage
“For me, Nigeria has been the most incredible experience. I have had the most fantastic time and I want you to know that we are committed to the nation, including our Foreign Minister, the Prime Minister, the President, and our First Lady,” Freeman said.
He announced that Israel would donate additional wheelchairs to orphanages through its embassy and provide three state-of-the-art ambulances to Nigeria’s health sector.
The ambassador added that Israel had continued to train Nigerian doctors while facilitating medical missions involving Israeli specialists, alongside ongoing collaboration in agriculture. NigerianBusiness Coverage
“Nigeria is our partner, Nigeria is our friend, and we are ready to do incredible things for our friends and partners,” he said.
Also present at the meeting were Israel’s Deputy Chief of Mission, Rachel Mishel Stavissky, and the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, Bishop Stephen Adegbite.
