‘I’m Not Spending Government Money,’ Remi Tinubu Tells Kogi Traditional Rulers, Donates ₦100m for Nutrition
By Our Correspondent
Lokoja, July 11, 2026 — Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Saturday declared that the humanitarian and nutrition intervention programmes championed under her office are not funded with government resources but through donations from private individuals and corporate organisations.
Addressing traditional rulers from across Kogi State during a meeting at the Government House, Lokoja, Mrs. Tinubu said the nutrition initiative was launched with ₦3 billion raised through donations, stressing that no government funds were being used for the programme.
- Advertisement -
“I am not spending government money. I am spending money donated to me by different people. We started the nutrition fund with ₦3 billion, and Tony Elumelu donated another ₦1 billion. Others have also contributed to support the programme,” she said.
The First Lady, who was in Kogi State as part of her nationwide advocacy on maternal and child nutrition, said she had visited every state of the federation except Zamfara, noting that Saturday’s visit was not her first to the Confluence State.
She announced a donation of ₦100 million to support the nutrition programme in Kogi State and appealed to the Wife of the Kogi State Governor to complement the effort in order to expand the reach of the intervention
Mrs. Tinubu urged the traditional rulers to mobilise their subjects and support the nutrition campaign, describing them as critical stakeholders in ensuring healthier families and communities.
She also commended Kogi indigenes serving in President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying many of them were making significant contributions in their various ministerial portfolios.
Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, the royal fathers commended the Federal Government for the successful rescue of the abducted Oyo pupils and also welcomed the renewed commitment to reviving the Ajaokuta Steel Plant, describing the development as a milestone for Nigeria’s industrialisation.
The meeting was attended by 21 First Class and 18 Second Class traditional rulers drawn from the 21 local government areas of Kogi State.
Among those present were Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo; Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia; the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate; the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari; the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb Olushola Enikanolaiye; the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu; and other senior government officials.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, JULY 11TH 2026)
