The Delta State Government, on Thursday, condemned a social media video suggesting that nurses in the state protested against the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during her recent working visit to the state.
Senator Tinubu visited Asaba, the Delta State capital, on Tuesday to flag off the distribution of 10,000 medical kits for midwives in the South-South region.
In her speech, Tinubu explained that the kits were specifically for midwives, and due to funding constraints, they could not be made available to nurses at that time.
She assured them that they would receive their turn in due course.
However, some nurses, who had hoped to receive kits, were reportedly disappointed by the exclusion, leading to what appeared to be a protest the following day.
A viral video emerged, showing nursing students expressing their dissatisfaction.
A representative of the Delta State Government explained that the video did not accurately reflect the full context of the event.
“We now noticed that there was a viral video that tends to communicate messages that are variance with what the scenario of that moment,”
the representative stated. He further explained that after delivering a speech about the gifts to be distributed to midwives in the South-South region, Mrs. Tinubu reassured the nurses that their packages would be given to them at a later date.
“The wife of the president apologized to nurses because this particular giveaway was meant for the midwives and not the nurses,” he added.
Also, speaking to journalists in Asaba on Thursday, the state Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, said the circulating video was “not entirely a true account of what happened at the ceremony.”
He continued, “Our dear First Lady was in our dear state for two good days, not on a holiday, but on a working visit. A whole lot was achieved during that visit, and a lot was given to our people, which has been greatly appreciated.
The commissioner clarified that the First Lady did not visit the School of Nursing in Agbor, explaining that:
“What happened was that she noticed some nurses at the event had expectations regarding the distribution of the medical kits. She apologised to the nurses during the presentation.
She assured the nurses that they would receive their turn in due time through the Renewed Hope Initiative.
“Although some nurses expressed disappointment, there was no hostility or bullying.
“Initially, the nurses were welcoming and happy.
They even danced and cheered as the First Lady spoke. A few of them, however, playfully expressed their feelings by singing a different tune.
This reaction was taken out of context by some individuals on social media, misrepresenting the events to fit their own narratives.
“The viral video, therefore, does not reflect the atmosphere and what truly transpired at the gathering. The commissioner expressed the state government’s appreciation to Mrs Tinubu for her visit and her initiatives.
“We want to say a very big thank you to our First Lady, and our own daughter, who has also shown us love from that Olympian height. She brought in a number of medical kits and other items aimed at helping our younger ones rise and shine.
“We also emphasise that the reaction seen in the video was not characteristic of our nurses but rather a few individuals wishing for equal treatment alongside midwives.”
