Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, has responded to the recent attention surrounding US President Donald Trump’s accolades at the 74th Annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC.

She used the occasion to encourage Nigerians to show more respect and support for their leaders.

Alleged Disconnect Between Local and International Perception

Tinubu highlighted a disconnect between Nigerian leaders’ global respect and the criticism they face at home in a post on her official Facebook page.

She emphasized that, while leaders are honored abroad, they frequently face hostility and ridicule in Nigeria, which is often fueled by political narratives and amplified by social media..

Concerns Over Public Bullying and Mockery

The First Lady condemned what she described as a culture of public shaming and online bullying aimed at national figures.

Call for Constructive Engagement

While acknowledging that leaders must be accountable, Tinubu stressed that relentless negativity and personal attacks do little to advance national progress.

She urged Nigerians to engage with leaders through constructive dialogue, understanding, and shared responsibility for the country’s development.

In her words: “Most of our leaders are highly respected and honored abroad, yet many Nigerians fail to value what they have because of hatred and the narratives planted in their minds by political paymasters, which have also hardened their hearts.

They bully these leaders, speak ill of them, demean them, curse them, and even seize upon their mistakes to drag them across social media, ridiculing and mocking them publicly – Nigeria is built on love, unity, and collective effort toward shared success.

Let us come together to support our respected leaders and work hand in hand with them to make our country great.”