I Can’t Relate with Anyone Who Does Not Have the Fear of God — First Lady Remi Tinubu

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has said her relationship with people who do not know God rarely lasts long.

She also revealed that in nearly 40 years of marriage to her husband, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, she cannot recall a time they raised their voices at each other.

The First Lady made the remarks on Thursday while hosting an Interfaith Breaking of Fast for both Ramadan and Lent at the Old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The event was attended by Muslim and Christian leaders, as well as wives of state governors.

Addressing women leaders during the overlapping Ramadan and Lenten seasons, she stressed the importance of peaceful coexistence among Nigerians of different faiths.

Sharing her personal experience as a Christian married to a Muslim, she said: “Since the Ramadan fast was announced, and the Lenten season began together, it was like God was speaking to us as a nation.

“Some of us are married to people of different faiths, and we have lived together peacefully for many years. For me, almost 40 years.”
Reflecting on her marriage, she added: “And I can tell you, I can’t remember when both of us raised our voices at each other. Maybe not more than twice in 40 years, I can tell you that. So we’ve been quite mature and respectful about that.

“And I believe that’s the best way to live together, as people from different faiths.”

She also urged Nigerians to drop a sense of entitlement tied to religion:

“We as Christians have a form of entitlement. Because we have Christ, we feel our grace is sufficient. But you cannot live without having a fear of God.

“The Bible says, the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. I will deal with anybody in the country with the fear of God.”

The First Lady further encouraged women to mentor younger generations and instill values that promote unity and responsible leadership.