No days off: Remi Tinubu says Tinubu working round the clock to end insecurity

Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Nigeria’s First Lady, has assured Nigerians that the Federal Government is intensifying efforts to defeat criminal syndicates and restore peace across the country, declaring that President Bola Tinubu is working “round the clock” to tackle insecurity and dismantle networks behind kidnapping, banditry and terrorism.

Speaking during a meeting with traditional rulers in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday, Mrs Tinubu said the administration had strengthened security operations through local and international partnerships, including support from the United States and other developed nations, to combat rising security threats. She maintained that despite the challenges, Nigeria would overcome its security crisis and remain united against forces seeking to destabilise the country.

The First Lady gave the assurance during an engagement with traditional rulers at the Jibowu Hall, Government House, Ado-Ekiti, as part of her one-day working visit to Ekiti State.

Addressing the monarchs, Mrs Tinubu said the Federal Government was deepening security collaborations both within and outside the country to combat kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and other violent crimes threatening national stability.

According to her, intelligence gathered by security agencies suggests that some of those behind the attacks are foreign nationals operating within Nigeria’s borders.

“The US and some other developed countries are helping us in this matter. Some of those terrorising us are non-Nigerians. No matter what happens, we shall overcome; Nigeria is too great to be intimidated,” she said.

Mrs Tinubu stressed that President Tinubu remains fully committed to addressing the country’s security challenges, revealing that the President spends long hours coordinating efforts aimed at restoring peace across the federation.

“I can assure you, we don’t have Mondays or Sundays. The President is working around the clock to get this matter resolved. At times, Mr President will sleep at 3:00 a.m., and God has been faithful,” she said.

She urged Nigerians to remain hopeful and continue supporting the government’s efforts, noting that overcoming insecurity requires collective responsibility, patience and prayers.

Beyond security, the First Lady highlighted several interventions implemented through the Renewed Hope Initiative in Ekiti State. She disclosed that the programme had facilitated the establishment of an Information and Communication Technology centre at Ekiti State University and provided scholarships worth more than N200 million to students.

Mrs Tinubu also said about 2,000 traders had benefited from grants of N50,000 each under the initiative, while elderly citizens and persons living with disabilities continued to receive support through various empowerment programmes.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Adejimi Adu-Alagbado, called for urgent reforms to Nigeria’s security architecture.

He urged the Federal Government to strengthen laws against kidnapping and accelerate the passage of legislation establishing state police, arguing that decentralised policing would improve intelligence gathering and security response across the country.

“The bill for the creation of state police should be fast-tracked,” the monarch said.

He also expressed confidence in the leadership of Bola Tinubu and pledged the continued support of traditional institutions in advancing peace, security and national development.