First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Named Leadership Newspaper’s 2025 Person of the Year

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has been conferred with the Person of the Year 2025 award at the 18th Annual Conference and Awards of Leadership Newspapers, where she delivered a powerful message on unity as the bedrock of national development.

Speaking at the event, Senator Tinubu stressed that progress can only be achieved when Nigerians collaborate across cultural and religious divides. “The future of our nation depends on our willingness to work together, across cultural and religious differences and interests, for the good of all. For a house divided against itself cannot stand. Let us keep working together to realize the Nigeria of our dreams,” she said.

The First Lady dedicated the award to her mentors and ordinary Nigerians contributing silently to national growth. “I do not take this honour alone. I stand on the shoulders of many people who have mentored me. This award is for the many Nigerians, especially women, young people and community leaders, who work quietly every day to uplift others and ignite hope in our nation,” she added.

She also praised the Chairperson of Leadership Newspapers, Zainab Nda-Isaiah, for her dedication to journalism that strengthens democracy, and paid tribute to the late founding chairman, Sam Nda-Isaiah, for his enduring legacy.

Delivering the keynote lecture titled Political Stability and Sustainable Development in Africa in an Increasingly Unstable Global System: A Roadmap for Nigeria, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed emphasized that sustainable nation-building begins at home. She called for deeper democratic practices and increased economic investment across the continent.

The Chairman of the occasion, Bishop Matthew Kukah, urged the current administration to reinforce institutional frameworks to ensure long-term development.

A total of 27 distinguished Nigerians and corporate organizations were honoured at the ceremony, now in its 18th year, established by Leadership Newspapers to celebrate excellence and commitment to national service.