Remi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria, sought to clarify remarks that had been misconstrued as a critique of Meghan Markle’s attire during her visit to Nigeria. The misunderstanding stemmed from a speech Remi Tinubu delivered at an event celebrating the first year of her husband, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, where she urged Nigerian youths to maintain decency and avoid nudity.
In her address, Remi Tinubu stated, “We are not having the Met Gala. We don’t accept nakedness in our culture. It is not beautiful at all. They are mimicking and trying to emulate film stars from America. They don’t know where they come from. Why did Meghan come here, looking for Africa? That is something we have to take home with. We know who we are, and don’t lose who you are.” This statement was interpreted by foreign media as a direct comment on Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex.
However, the First Lady’s office clarified that her reference to Meghan Markle was in the context of the Duchess’s journey to understand her heritage and connect with her Nigerian roots, not a critique of her clothing. “She meant Meghan appreciates the people we are and hence her coming here,” the First Lady’s office said in a statement to AFP Fact Check. “At no point did she say anything about Meghan’s dressing.”
The First Lady’s speech celebrated the significant contributions of Nigerian women across various sectors, marking the first anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The event, themed ‘Looking Forward,’ highlighted the achievements of Nigerian women and urged young girls to embrace cultural decency.
“I am delighted to celebrate you all, the mothers of our great nation. The achievements of our women in all sectors of the economy are highly commendable. As of the first quarter of 2024, we had 11 women chief executive officers in the banking industry, several women CEOs in tech, seven female ministers, and seven female deputy governors,” Remi Tinubu stated.
She emphasized the importance of women in nation-building, acknowledging their roles as nurturers, builders, and the foundation upon which families and communities thrive. “Every woman, irrespective of age, is a mother, a nurturer, a builder and the foundation on which our families, communities and institutions thrive,” she said.
The First Lady also urged older women and young mothers to instill in the younger generation the value of cultural decency. “We are beautiful without being naked; our girls need to be taught how to embrace our culture because we all have sources,” she asserted.
The event saw various influential women, including Nana Shettima, the wife of the Vice President, who praised the First Lady’s leadership and called for unity among women for the nation’s benefit. Victoria Gowon, wife of the former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon, and Dame Patience Jonathan, wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, also spoke, urging women to support the current administration and each other. They emphasized the potential for a woman president if women remain united.
Prof. Nike Akande commended President Tinubu’s efforts in steering the nation’s economy positively, urging continued support for his administration. The event concluded with a performance by Onyeka Onwenu, who sang “One Love,” encouraging unity and love among women.
