Remi Tinubu
By Akeem Atoyebi
Delta State College of Nursing has reportedly subjected a student , one Osato Edobor to unjust query and at the same time threatening her for posting a trending video where student nurses embarrassed First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.
NATIONAL WAVES reports that a viral video circulating on social media on Wednesday captured students of the nursing school rejecting Nigeria’s First Lady, as their “mother” during her visit to the state.
Oluremi Tinubu was in Delta State as part of her Renewed Hope Initiative project. During her visit, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori praised her efforts, stating that the nation was experiencing a significant transformation in the health sector.
The query
He praised the First Lady for her commitment to improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians, citing the impact of RHI since its inception in 2023.
As part of the highlights of event, professional kits were presented to the wives of South-South governors, who serve as RHI coordinators in their respective states.
However, the school management in a now-viral copy of query on Friday accused Edobor of singing, recording and circulating a trending viral video of nursing students rejecting Mrs Tinubu as their mother.
She was given 24 hours to respond to the query.
The query signed by Evbodaghe Rita Ogonne, the provost reads; “It has come to the notice of the school authority that you, Student Nurse Osato Edobor on the 25th of March, 2025 during official visit of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON at Dome Event Center, Asaba for the Renewed Hope Initiative Health Programme and distribution of 10,000 Professional Kits (Crocs and Scrubs) to Midwives in each Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria South South Zone, was found to be engage in malicious act of recording/singing and posting unofficial response to song during the arrival of the First Lady (found on your Tittok Page).”
The college noted that the student’s alleged action “is a punishable offence as enshrined in the Student Handbook under standardised disciplinary action for some punishable offences No. 8, Page 21.”
Responding to the viral video, the Delta State government has said that what transpired at the Event Centre in Asaba on Tuesday was not an entirely accurate representation of the situation.
The Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, made the clarification that despite some disappointment among the nurses, there was no incident of hostility or bullying during the visit.
He noted that the nurses were initially welcoming, happy, and even danced while cheering the First Lady during her speech, though a few of them playfully expressed their feelings by singing a different tune in response to the situation.
Speaking at a news conference in Asaba on Thursday, Aniagwu stated that the reaction of some students was taken out of context and misrepresented on social media by individuals who sought to fit the event into their own narratives.
He explained: “Our dear First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, was in our state for two good days, not on a holiday, but on a working visit, during which a great deal was achieved. A lot was given to our people, and this has been very much appreciated. We want to extend our gratitude to the First Lady, who has shown us love from that Olympian height.
“She brought in several medical kits and numerous other items to support our younger ones in their journey to indeed rise and shine. On the first day, over 10,000 medical kits were distributed across the six South-South states, using our state as the point of contact.
“We also witnessed the presence of several First Ladies from different states and geopolitical zones, who identified with the noble efforts of our First Lady. We welcomed her, and she was pleased with the reception accorded to her during the visit. We are very pleased with what she came to do in our state.”
Addressing the viral video, Aniagwu categorically stated that the First Lady did not visit the School of Nursing in Agbor. He explained that the nurses present at the event had certain expectations regarding the distribution of medical kits and that the First Lady had apologised to them during the presentation, clarifying that the current phase of donations was specifically targeted at midwives.
“She assured the nurses that they would receive their turn in due course through the Renewed Hope Initiative. However, some nurses, who had expected equal treatment alongside midwives, were understandably disappointed. Despite this, there was no incident of hostility or bullying during the visit. The nurses were initially happy, dancing and cheering as the First Lady spoke, but a few of them expressed their feelings playfully by singing a different tune in response to the situation.
“This reaction was taken out of context by certain individuals on social media, who misrepresented the events to fit their own narratives. The viral video, therefore, does not accurately reflect the atmosphere or what truly transpired at the gathering.
“As a government, we express our profound appreciation for the First Lady’s visit and her initiatives. We emphasise that the reaction seen in the video is not characteristic of our nurses but rather a response from a few individuals who had hoped for equal treatment with midwives.”
“So we needed to clarify the situation. Once again, we express our gratitude to the President, his wife, and supportive Nigerians, while reiterating our commitment to good governance in Delta through the MORE Agenda.”.
