The management of Delta State College of Nursing has issued a query to a student, Osato Edobor, over her involvement in a viral video that sparked controversy during a visit by Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, to Delta State. The student was accused of singing, recording, and posting a video on TikTok in which student nurses at an event publicly rejected Tinubu as their “mother.”
In the video, which quickly gained traction online, the nursing students were seen humorously expressing discontent during the First Lady’s visit as part of her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) project. Tinubu was in Delta to oversee the distribution of 10,000 professional kits (including scrubs and Crocs) to midwives in Nigeria’s South-South zone.
The school management condemned Edobor’s actions, labeling them a violation of the college’s disciplinary code. In a query signed by Provost Evbodaghe Rita Ogonne, Edobor was accused of engaging in a “malicious act” by recording and posting an “unofficial response” to Tinubu’s arrival at the Dome Event Center, Asaba, on March 25, 2025. She was given 24 hours to respond to the allegations.
According to the school’s Student Handbook, Edobor’s alleged actions fall under “punishable offences” detailed on Page 21 of the disciplinary guide.
In response to the controversy, the Delta State Government released a statement clarifying what transpired during Tinubu’s visit. Speaking at a press conference in Asaba, the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, downplayed the incident, emphasizing that the video had been misrepresented by social media users.
Aniagwu explained that the nurses present at the event had certain expectations regarding the distribution of medical kits. When they realized the donations were primarily for midwives, some of them expressed their disappointment by singing in jest.
“The First Lady apologised to the nurses during the presentation, assuring them that their turn would come in due course through the Renewed Hope Initiative,” Aniagwu said.
He also clarified that the video did not reflect the overall atmosphere at the event. “The nurses were initially happy, dancing, and cheering during the First Lady’s speech. What happened was taken out of context by certain individuals who sought to fit the event into their own narratives.”
Aniagwu reaffirmed the state government’s gratitude to Oluremi Tinubu and praised her for her efforts in supporting healthcare professionals across the country.
During her two-day visit, Tinubu distributed thousands of medical kits to midwives and pledged further support to healthcare workers in Delta and beyond. The First Lady’s initiative has been lauded as a step toward improving Nigeria’s healthcare system and empowering professionals at the grassroots level.
Despite the viral controversy, Aniagwu expressed optimism about the continued partnership between the state and the Tinubu-led RHI, urging the public to look beyond misleading narratives and focus on the positive impact of the First Lady’s visit.
