Warning the women about emulating American celebrities, Nigeria’s First Lady has opened a conversation about the importance of preserving the cultural heritage of the African nation weeks after a visit of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
The remark came after the estranged royal duo wrapped up their short visit to Nigeria earlier this month to promote his Invictus Games for wounded military veterans. The Duke of Sussex and his wife visited Nigeria’s capital Abuja where they visited a school event on mental health, in a trip that also saw the prince meet wounded Nigerian soldiers.
Speaking in Abuja during her husband’s administration anniversary, senator Oluremi Tinubu urged teenagers and young adults to dress modestly, rejecting the influence of American celebrities. “We have to salvage our children,” Tinubu said, expressing concern over the prevalent trend of imitating Western fashion.
She highlighted the need to reject the “nakedness” popularised by events like the Met Gala, stressing that such attire does not align with Nigerian cultural values. “We see the way they dress. We are not having the Met Gala. And everyone, the nakedness, is just everywhere and the men are well-clothed,” she was quoted as saying by the New York Post.
While Tinubu didn’t directly slam Meghan, she questioned the Duchess’s motives in embracing her Nigerian heritage. Referencing Markle’s DNA test revealing 43% Nigerian ancestry, Tinubu stressed the importance of cultural preservation and self-identity. “We know who we are. Don’t lose who you are,” Tinubu asserted, urging Nigerian women to be confident in their identity and resist the pressures of Western fashion trends. She also spoke on the role of mothers in maintaining order and fostering confidence among Nigerian women.
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