The management of Delta State College of Nursing Sciences, Agbor, has withdrawn the query issued to a nursing student, Osato Edobor, for allegedly recording and posting an “unauthorised” video on social media during the visit of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to the state.
The Provost of the college, Evbodaghe Ogonne, in a letter dated March 27, 2025, accused Edobor of engaging in a “malicious act” by recording herself singing and posting an “unofficial response” to a song during the First Lady’s arrival at the Dome Event Centre in Asaba on Tuesday.
“This is a punishable offence as enshrined in the Student Handbook under Standardised Disciplinary Action for Some Punishable Offences No. 8, Page 21,” the letter stated.
The school directed Edobor to submit a written explanation in triplicate within 24 hours, justifying why disciplinary action should not be taken against her.
The disciplinary move followed a viral video on social media in which nursing students at the event appeared to reject the First Lady as their “mother.”
The incident occurred when the event’s master of ceremonies introduced Oluremi Tinubu as “everyone’s mother,” a customary title for First Ladies in Nigeria.
However, the students responded in unison, “Na your mama be this o,” meaning “This is your mother,” refusing to accept the designation.
Edobor, in another video posted on her TikTok page, was heard saying, “Na your mama be that ooo, my mama dey house” (That is not my mother; my mother is at home).
The video sparked widespread reactions, with many linking the students’ response to growing discontent over economic hardship and insecurity in the country under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In its reaction to the video, the school authorities issued a disciplinary query to Edobor, accusing her of engaging in a “malicious act” by recording and posting the footage on social media without authorisation.
However, the school faced intense backlash after the query went viral on social media, with many Nigerians condemning the disciplinary action and describing it as excessive.
In his reaction, human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, described the query as an attempt to repress free expression under the current administration.
“The audacious nursing school students who suitably rejected Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s wife, Senator Remi Tinubu, in that ‘Na Your Mama Be This’ song ought to be celebrated, but as is characteristic of this Tinubu repressive era, one of them is being targeted for sharing this charming rendition on her TikTok page,” Sowore said in a post on his Facebook page.
The National Coordinator of the Education Rights Campaign, Hassan Taiwo, also condemned the query, describing it as an abuse of the student’s right to freedom of expression.
Speaking to Saturday PUNCH, he said, “The students did not commit any crime; they simply exercised their freedom of expression, which is enshrined in the constitution.”
Taiwo further called on the school to not only withdraw the query but also issue a public apology.
“Otherwise, they risk resistance from not just the institution’s students but also the mass of Nigerian people,” he warned.
Content creator and activist, Adebowale Adedayo, popularly known as Mr Macaroni, also criticised the school’s action, questioning the basis of the disciplinary threat.
“Delta State College of Nursing Sciences is threatening a student with disciplinary action because of a song? The students say dem sabi their mama!! Students whose mama dey work hard to give them a better life… una wan come expel them because dem refuse to deny their mama? Na by force???” he wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) page.
Following the backlash, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Onojaeme, confirmed in a video posted on social media that he had directed the provost to withdraw the query, emphasising that the government had no intention of victimising students.
“I have instructed the provost to withdraw the letter; we do not want to victimise any of the students. I have also reached out to the student in question, and she has confirmed to me that the letter was withdrawn late yesterday (Thursday) night. So, I want the public to be aware of this—we are not victimising any of the students,” Onojaeme said.
The school management officially announced the withdrawal in a letter signed by the provost and dated Saturday, March 28.
In the letter sighted by our correspondent, the institution stated: “The Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Onojaeme, in his magnanimity, has directed the school authority to withdraw the query issued to you on March 27, 2025.
“You are therefore to return the query letter through the Student Affairs Officer to the office of the provost.
“The school authority regrets any inconvenience this may have caused.”
Meanwhile, the First Lady has urged the management of the institution to handle the matter with understanding and fairness and ensure that students continue to thrive in an environment that balances discipline with free expression.
Mrs. Tinubu, in a statement by her media aide, Busola Kukoyi, described the students’ reaction in the video as a playful and harmless gesture made in a moment of excitement.
“A section of the video, allegedly recorded by some students at the event, showed a spontaneous and playful twist to the welcome song. Sequel to that, it has come to our attention that some of the students of the Delta State College of Nursing Sciences have been issued a query regarding their participation in the chants.
“While the Office of the First Lady of Nigeria respects the right of institutions to uphold discipline, it is important to recognise that students, in moments of excitement, often express themselves in a light-hearted and jovial manner.
“The Office of the First Lady believes that educational institutions should foster an environment where students feel safe to express themselves while maintaining decorum. The First Lady’s visit was intended to inspire and uplift healthcare professionals, and it is our hope that this event remains a positive and motivating experience for all involved.
“We trust that the Delta State College of Nursing Sciences will handle this matter with understanding and fairness, ensuring that students continue to thrive in an environment that balances discipline with free expression,” the First Lady said.
-Advertisement-
Grab our latest Magazine, "Ayodele Akintunde, SAN: Legal Titan Celebrates and Reflects on His Life Journey.". Get your order fast and stress free.
For more details about Newswire Law&Events Magazine, kindly reach out to us on 08039218044, 09070309355. Email: newswiremagazine@yahoo.co.uk. You will be glad you did
