21st September, 2010
Wife of the immediate past governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu clocked the golden age of 50 today.
Prominent dailies were awash this morning with congratulatory messages to felicitate with the former first lady of Lagos State.
The messages included a full page colour advert by Asiwaju Tinubu himself in which the former governor waxed lyrical about his wife: “I celebrate you, my darling wife, today and always. Today your 50th birthday is a golden day, a golden year of a productive and fulfilling life.
“You came from a humble but great background. But you have risen to the zenith of public service, especially when the cause is of the downtrodden and the underprivileged. Within these past 50 years, I can’t believe the young lady I knew virutally yesterday, dated and married, would still remain like a 21-year old! And this, with all the tribulations and challenges of my political struggles!â€
As part of the activities to mark the day, Mrs. Tinubu and her family played host to Muslim clerics who led the prayer session at the Bourdillon, Ikoyi, Lagos, home of the Tinubus this morning.
In appreciation of her contribution to the state in particular and humanity in general, the Lagos Island Local Government named Yaba Council Hall after her.
Similarly, the Federal Government of Nigeria honoured Mrs. Tinubu with the Officer of the Order of the Niger, OON award.
Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu was married to Asiwaju Tinubu for over two decades and they are blessed with children.
Also to commemorate her golden jubilee, prominent Nigerians are expected to gather at the New Eko Hotel Expo Centre, Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m today to partake in a praise and worship night.
The founder of New Era Youth Foundation and Spelling Bee contest for secondary school students, Mrs. Tinubu had earlier informed invited guests and admirers that media congratulatory messages, gifts, cards and other presents should be minimised or at best monetized to ensure the completion of New Era Youth Campaign, NEYOCA, office which she has been building since 2007 at Akodo.
Among her pet projects, the Spelling Bee Competition has churned out bright boys and girls. The winner of the yearly competition among students of public schools in Lagos, is made governor of Lagos State for one day.
Mrs. Tinubu has enjoined friends and other well wishers to send cheques to Remi @ 50 or pay into GTB account number 201/112323/112.