Oluremi Tinubu decorated as grand matron of Nigerian Red Cross
By Johnbosco Agbakwuru
ABUJA — First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has been officially installed as the Grand Matron of the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), pledging to strengthen humanitarian efforts and encourage a culture of service among young Nigerians.
Speaking during the decoration ceremony held at the State House in Abuja, the First Lady emphasized the importance of engaging youths in voluntary activities, noting that early exposure to humanitarian service helps cultivate lifelong values of compassion and community support.
“If young people learn the importance of helping others from an early age, they are more likely to continue such acts of kindness as adults,” she said.
Senator Tinubu described her new role as Grand Matron as both a responsibility and an opportunity to contribute further to national development through service to humanity.
She urged Nigerians to extend support to those around them whenever possible, saying, “Anyone who has the means to assist a neighbour in any way should not hesitate to do so.”
The First Lady commended the Nigerian Red Cross Society for its significant contributions to humanitarian interventions across the country and expressed confidence that Nigeria would overcome its current challenges through collective commitment and determination.
“No challenge is beyond our capacity to overcome if we are united by the right resolve. There is strong political will to advance the interests of the nation, and our responsibility is to remain committed to that mission every day,” she stated.
She also highlighted initiatives undertaken by her office, including the National Food Bank Programme, which is being implemented across the six geopolitical zones of the country to tackle child malnutrition and improve food security.
Earlier, the National President of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Prince Oluyemisi Adeaga, praised the First Lady for her sustained humanitarian outreach through the Renewed Hope Initiative.
According to him, the Society recognizes her commitment to improving the welfare of women, children, families, and other vulnerable groups across the country.
He noted that the NRCS, established by an Act of Parliament in 1960, remains Nigeria’s foremost public humanitarian organization and currently operates with a volunteer base of more than 1.5 million people nationwide.