By Muhammad Mamman
Senator Adams Oshiomhole on Friday described United States President Donald Trump’s public recognition of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as a significant diplomatic accolade for the West African nation and a symbol of religious cohesion. 
Speaking to journalists after a visit with President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja, Oshiomhole said the moment at a high-profile international event underscored Nigeria’s growing stature on the global stage. 
At the annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., Trump hailed Mrs Tinubu, who is also a Christian pastor, as “a very respectable woman” while inviting her to stand for recognition before an audience of international leaders. 
Oshiomhole, a former national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), called the acknowledgement “a proud moment for Nigeria” and said the gesture carried symbolic weight given the diverse religious landscape of the country. “Trump understands that Nigeria’s President is a Muslim, but he now celebrates the fact he has a Christian wife who is also a pastor… so there can be no tension between the Quran and the Bible,” he said. 
The senator underscored the applause that greeted Mrs Tinubu’s recognition, suggesting it reflected positively on Nigeria’s image abroad and offered a unifying message for citizens at home. He urged Nigerians to focus on collective progress and unity amid ongoing national challenges. 
Critics, however, have offered contrasting views on the broader implications of the U.S. president’s remarks, illustrating the complex interplay of religion and diplomacy in international relations. 
