Plateau Crisis: Oluremi Tinubu Donates ₦1bn, Calls for End to Bloodshed

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Wednesday stormed Plateau State with a passionate plea for peace, as she led a delegation of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) to support victims of the recurrent communal unrest in the state.

With emotion-laden words, the First Lady said she visited “as a mother whose heart bleeds,” adding that she hoped this would be her last condolence mission to the state.

“I pray that God will honour this visit. Let there be no more bloodshed. Mend the broken hedge. This should be the end,” she said during a visit to the Government House in Jos.

Addressing traditional and community leaders, youths, and women at the event, Mrs Tinubu charged Plateau elders to rise above political and ethnic differences in order to safeguard the future of the state. She also warned against allowing what she metaphorically described as “the serpent” to exploit cracks in community unity.

While encouraging men to protect women and children to allow them engage in farming and trading activities without fear, she urged youths to embrace peace and unity, citing the second stanza of the National Anthem as a moral obligation to hand over “a banner without stain” to the next generation.

As part of her intervention, the First Lady announced a ₦1 billion donation through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) to support victims of the crisis. She also presented truckloads of food items and clothing as immediate relief for displaced persons and affected families.

Responding, Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, expressed deep appreciation for the visit and the generous intervention. He pledged full transparency and assured that the funds and materials would reach the intended beneficiaries.

“We will not allow the elite to hijack what is meant for the victims,” the governor said. “Wherever the hedge has been broken, we are determined to mend it. We are committed to peace.”

The event was attended by the Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, members of the Plateau Council of Traditional Rulers, religious leaders, market associations, youth groups, and security agencies.

The visit comes amid renewed concern over the spate of violent attacks in Plateau communities, which have left scores dead and thousands displaced in recent months.