During the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington D.C. on Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly recognized and honored Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, from the audience.
Addressing the gathering, President Trump stated, “We are honoured to be joined today by the First Lady of Nigeria (Remi Tinubu), who also happens to serve as a Christian pastor at the largest church in Nigeria, very respected woman…. it’s a great honour. Thank you very much.”
This public acknowledgment comes amid strained bilateral relations following the U.S. designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” last year over issues of religious freedom. President Trump had previously expressed concern about the persecution of Christians in Nigeria amidst widespread insecurity, threatening intervention if the Nigerian leadership did not address the situation.
In response to these pressures, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu undertook significant measures, including a reshuffle of the nation’s military leadership and the appointment of former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, as the Minister of Defence.
Reports also indicate that the Nigerian government has engaged foreign lobbyists in an effort to improve the country’s international image regarding religious tolerance.
Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.
Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.
He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.
Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).
He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.
He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.
Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.
