Remi Tinubu Donates N4.15bn Personal Funds to Nigerians in 7 Months: "I Share in Your Pains"
- Nigeria’s First Lady said the donations channelled through her Renewed Hope Initiative, are personally raised and not from public funds
- The funds were provided as relief for victims of flooding and violent attacks, with additional initiatives like women empowerment and school support
- While some Nigerians praised her for her compassion, others questioned the sources of the funds
FCT, Abuja - Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has disclosed that she has donated a total of ₦4.15 billion to humanitarian and health-related causes between January and July 2025.
The wife of the president insisted that the funds were not from government coffers but were personally raised through her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).
Source: Twitter
Since assuming office on May 29, 2023, Mrs Tinubu has embarked on a series of philanthropic outreaches across Nigeria, distributing relief items and funds to victims of disasters and violent attacks, as well as supporting public health programmes and women-led businesses.
“I do not have vast sums of money, but what I have is meant to bring life, not to pour money into a basket,” the First Lady said.
She added:
“Please understand that the money I have for this initiative is not government funds. It is money I have personally raised to help others.”
N1bn donation to Niger flood victims
Her latest intervention was on Tuesday, August 5, in Niger state, where she donated ₦1 billion and relief items to victims of floods and other disasters.
During a presentation ceremony in Minna, she condoled with the families affected by the May 29 flood disaster in Mokwa, which claimed around 200 lives and displaced thousands, Daily Trust reported.
“As a mother, I share in your pains and grief, and I believe we all can overcome this tragedy,” she said.
She also announced an empowerment scheme for 500 women in the state, jointly organised by the Renewed Hope Initiative and the Tony Elumelu Foundation.
Governor Umaru Bago, who received the items, commended the First Lady’s generosity, saying,
“The empathy you exhibit and the love you show reflect the kind of leadership we have in the country.”
N1bn for Benue community hit by deadly attacks
In July, Mrs Tinubu visited Benue state and donated ₦1 billion to victims of the Yelwata attack, which left over 100 people dead in mid-June.
Speaking at the Government House in Makurdi on July 29, she pledged continued support through her initiative to help the affected community recover and to ensure displaced children return to school.
N1bn relief for Plateau attack victims
Earlier on July 3, during a visit to Jos, Plateau state, Mrs Tinubu gave another ₦1 billion to support families affected by violent attacks.
Addressing traditional leaders and government officials at the Plateau State Government House, she urged peacebuilding efforts, saying,
“I pray that Plateau State will flourish, and Nigeria will grow in peace and unity.”
₦1bn to fight Tuberculosis in Nigeria
In March, the First Lady pledged ₦1 billion towards eradicating Tuberculosis in Nigeria. The announcement was made during World TB Day events in Sauka, Abuja, Vanguard reported.
This marked the second consecutive year she had committed ₦1 billion to the cause.
“At this juncture, I would like to pledge an additional ₦1 billion from the RHI towards the fight against Tuberculosis in Nigeria,” she stated.
₦100m to support arts education
Source: Twitter
In May, she committed ₦100 million to the Five Cowries Art Education Initiative. The announcement was made at a charity dinner organised by the Spouses of Heads of Mission at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
“On behalf of the Renewed Hope Initiative, we pledge ₦100 million to support 5,000 arts exhibitions across Nigeria,” she said, calling on other stakeholders to support arts education.
₦50m to empower 1,000 Kaduna women traders
In February, Mrs Tinubu also provided ₦50 million to 1,000 women petty traders in Kaduna State, giving ₦50,000 each to enable them to expand their small businesses.
The disbursement was made through the First Lady of Kaduna state, Hafsat Uba Sani, who also serves as the state coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative.
How First Lady Tinubu raises funds
Responding to criticism about the source of her donations, given that the Office of the First Lady has no constitutional backing or official budget, Mrs Tinubu said she has raised the funds independently through her platform.
“If I kept money for personal gain, it would only serve to satisfy greed,” she said. “But my goal is to use the resources I have for good, for the development of this country, not to waste them.”
She added:
“This is not about politics. It is about love for a country that has blessed me. I only ask for your prayers as we seek to make a lasting change.”
President Tinubu hails heroics during WAFCON final
Legit.ng also reported that Esther Okoronkwo's penalty in the 64th minute of the WAFCON 2024 final was hailed as a 'courageous exercise'.
Supporters' praises were echoed by President Tinubu in his video call with the triumphant Super Falcons side on Saturday night, July 26.
Proofreading by Kola Muhammed, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
