By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, hzs urged the international community to adopt a balanced and accurate understanding of the country’s security challenges, stressing that misrepresentation undermines efforts to achieve lasting peace.
Speaking during a meeting with former Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, on Wednesday at her office, the First Lady emphasized that meaningful solutions can only emerge when Nigeria’s realities are properly understood, the statement signed by the SSA Media to the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Busola Kukoyi made available to Precise Post said. According to the statement, the First Lady noted that while efforts to foster peace and harmony across diverse groups are ongoing, global partners must support these initiatives by avoiding one-sided narratives. According to her, “Listening to one side of the story and then concluding is a wrong approach to conflict resolution.”
Tinubu also welcomed Welby’s position that Nigerians are best placed to address their own challenges, given their understanding of local complexities. She advocated for broader participation in interfaith dialogue, suggesting that security agencies be included alongside religious leaders to provide a more comprehensive perspective.
The First Lady commended Nigeria’s Armed Forces for their continued sacrifices in tackling insecurity and urged religious institutions worldwide to promote values that encourage upright living.
In his remarks, Welby said his visit was aimed at supporting peacebuilding efforts and reinforcing Nigeria’s image as a nation committed to religious freedom. He highlighted an upcoming interfaith dialogue in London, convened by the Global Forum for Peace under the patronage of Abdallah Bin Bayyah.
The dialogue, he explained, will bring together 12 Christian and 12 Muslim leaders to foster mutual understanding and develop practical solutions to interfaith conflicts, both in Nigeria and globally.
“We want to contribute to what Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing to promote peace. All we seek is enduring peace,” Welby said, adding that his mission is to ensure the dialogue delivers meaningful outcomes.
Welby was accompanied by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery.
The meeting comes weeks after President Tinubu’s state visit to the United Kingdom, where interfaith engagement featured prominently, including sessions at Lambeth Palace.
In a separate engagement, the First Lady also received the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, who briefed her on progress in the ministry’s Girls in Tech programme.
Tijani revealed that a showcase dinner highlighting innovations developed by participants will be hosted by the First Lady in Abuja. He also secured her support as the face of a national campaign aimed at expanding internet access in rural and riverine communities.
