A nursing college in Delta State, Nigeria, has come under scrutiny after it issued—and later withdrew—a query against a student accused of sharing a viral video in which students chanted that First Lady Remi Tinubu was not their “mother.”
The incident took place on March 27 at Delta College of Nursing Sciences, where the student, Osato Edobor, was reportedly accused of participating in the “malicious” chant against Mrs. Tinubu. However, following intervention from Delta State’s Commissioner for Health, Joseph Onojaeme, the school quickly retracted the disciplinary action.
Viral Video Sparks Controversy
The controversy began during Mrs. Tinubu’s visit to Asaba on March 25, where she was distributing 10,000 professional kits (Crocs and scrubs) to midwives across Nigeria’s South-South region. As part of the welcoming ceremony, a song in Pidgin English, “Na our mama be dis,” was sung to honor the First Lady.
However, in the now-viral video, student nurses at the event refused to join in the chorus, with some instead chanting in opposition, suggesting that Mrs. Tinubu was not their “mother.” The video quickly spread across social media platforms, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and WhatsApp, sparking nationwide debate.
Government’s Response and Withdrawal of Query
The query against Edobor was signed by college provost Rita Evbodaghe, who later issued a statement withdrawing it.
“The school authority regrets any inconvenience this might have caused the Delta State Government,” Evbodaghe stated.
The incident highlights the growing discontent among Nigerians, particularly among youth, towards President Bola Tinubu’s administration. While the video was seen as an embarrassment to the government, its widespread circulation underscores the increasing public frustration and political tensions in the country.
