Popular Tinubu’s wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu donated N50 million in cash and supplies to Bayelsa State flood victims on Friday.
This was included in a statement that her media representatives released on Saturday. The three-term senator made the gift while leading a group of APC women campaign team members to the various IDP camps in Yenagoa to express sympathy to the victims.
Seven of Bayelsa’s eight local government areas were affected, making it one of the states most severely affected by the flood. Along with forcing many locals into IDP camps, the flood submerged hundreds of their homes and farmlands.
The change occurs just three days after Sadiya Farouq, the minister of humanitarian affairs, disaster management, and social development, allegedly excluded Bayelsa from the list of the ten worst-affected states affected by the flooding.
More so, the minister said that a number of factors, including the number of displaced people and deaths reported by the state, injuries, partially or completely damaged homes, as well as devastated farmlands, had contributed to her conviction.
The Bayelsa State Government and other stakeholders denounced her statement, calling her insensitive to their people’s plight. A furious Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, claimed that the minister’s response to the state’s flood situation was not proportionate and fair given Bayelsa’s economic contribution to the country.
But as he addressed the displaced people at the Ox’ Bowlake Pavilion and Igbogene camps in Bayelsa, Tinubu promised to give N50,000 to 1,000 people so they could restart their small businesses.
She said, “Our visit here today is not political. But rather it is to identify with you in the moment of need and pray that the state will not witness such natural disasters again.”
Oluremi Tinubu was accompanied by Nana Shettima, the spouse of Senator Kashim Shettima, the party’s vice presidential candidate, Mrs. Alanyingi Sylva, the wife of the Minister of State for Petroleum, and Dr. Asabe Bashir, national coordinator of the APC Women Campaign team.
In addition to paying respect to the community’s traditional leader in his palace, Tinubu also gave the Obenibe of Epie Kingdom, Malla Sasime, a briefing on the reason for their visit to the state.
The delegation was informed by Emperor Osage, the acting paramount ruler of Igbogene, that this donation was the first of its kind they would ever receive while also expressing gratitude on behalf of the victims.
The traditional chief thanked the APC women’s campaign team for visiting the flood victims in the state and wished them a safe trip back to their various destinations.
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Meanwhile, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has congratulated business magnate, philanthropist, and Chairman, of Geregu Power Plc, Mr. Femi Otedola on his 60th birthday.
He said the renowned businessman and seasoned administrator has contributed immensely to the economy and livelihood of many Nigerians, particularly in Lagos State, where some of his companies are situated.
Governor Sanwo-Olu in a congratulatory message issued yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, said Otedola, through his investments in key sectors of the economy, like oil and gas, shipping, real estate, banking, and energy, among others has contributed to the growth of Nigeria’s economy by providing jobs for millions of Nigerians, especially youths in different parts of the country.
He said: “On behalf of my wife, Ibijoke, the Lagos State Government, and the good people of Lagos State, I join family, friends, and business associates to congratulate one of Nigeria’s business magnates and philanthropists, Mr. Femi Otedola on his 60th birthday celebration.
“Mr. Femi Otedola is a good ambassador of Lagos State. He is worthy of celebration because of his many contributions to the economy of Nigeria and Lagos State in particular. As an employer of labor and a respected businessman, he has put smiles on the faces of many working Nigerians.
“As a Lagosian and the son of our former governor, Sir Michael Otedola, Lagos State Government is happy to associate with Mr. Femi Otedola, especially because of his philanthropic gestures towards many individuals and institutions within and outside the State.
“I wish Mr. Femi Otedola the best on his 60th birthday as he joins the Diamond Jubilee Group today. I pray that God will grant him long life and sound health to continue to render more service to humanity.”
