The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Sunday predicted that Nigeria would attain a level of economic prosperity that would enable it to lend to other countries by 2026.
Tinubu made the remark in Ile-Ife, Osun State, shortly after she was conferred with the chieftaincy title of Yeye Asiwaju Gbogbo Ile Oodua during an event marking the 10th coronation anniversary of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
The ceremony drew a wide range of dignitaries, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo; wife of the Vice President, Nana Shettima; former First Lady, Patience Jonathan; and the governors of Osun, Lagos and Ogun States – Ademola Adeleke, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Dapo Abiodun, respectively.
Others present included a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole; former Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa; Osun State Deputy Governor, Kola Adewusi; and former Osun First Lady, Kafayat Oyetola.
Prominent traditional rulers also attended, among them the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar; the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III; the Orangun of Ila, Oba Abdulwahab Oyedotun; and the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye.
Tinubu expressed gratitude to the Ooni for the honour bestowed on her, saying the country was entering a period of renewed hope.
“Nigeria’s joy has come. Those wondering how we want to do it, we will show them how things are being done,” she said.
“By 2026, Nigeria will be in prosperity; we will be lending to other nations.”
She said the administration of President Bola Tinubu would deliver results that would surprise many, adding that the declaration was significant because it was made “at the source of the Yoruba race.”
Earlier, the Ooni of Ife praised the First Lady for what he described as consistent support for the throne since his ascension. He also acknowledged the longstanding contributions of former President Obasanjo to the palace.
In his goodwill message, the Sultan of Sokoto prayed for a long and prosperous reign for the Ooni and sought divine guidance for Nigeria’s leaders.
Governor Adeleke, in his address, commended the Ooni for transforming the image of traditional leadership and repositioning Ile-Ife as a major cultural hub.
He noted that the Osun government had embarked on infrastructure upgrades in the ancient city, including the completion of 14 roads and the near completion of the first flyover in Ile-Ife.
Adeleke said the state would continue to collaborate with the Ooni in actualising the vision of building Ile-Ife as a global cultural capital for the Yoruba people.