The Delta State government has directed the provost of the Delta State College of Nursing Sciences to withdraw the query issued to Osato Edobor, a student of the institution, over a video she posted about Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s visit to the state.
Edobor’s video captured moments from the First Lady’s visit, highlighting how students allegedly humiliated her during the event.
Following the post, the college issued a query to Edobor, but the state government has now intervened, instructing the institution to rescind the disciplinary action.
The school management also accused the student of disrespecting Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
In a 33-second video, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, stated that the state government does not intend to victimise any student.
He assured the public that there was calm and that no student was being victimised.
He said, “On the trending letter that was query issued to the student of the school of nursing, Agbor, I have instructed the provost to withdraw the letter. We don’t want to victimise any of the students.
“I’ve also reached out to the student in question and the student has confirmed to me that the letter was withdrawn yesterday, last night.”
“So I want the public to be aware of this and there’s calm everywhere. We are not victimising any of the students,” Joseph added.
Meanwhile, a statement posted on the Delta State Government’s X handle on Friday stated that the rights of every student in health sciences and related health programs are upheld.
The statement read, “The Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, has directed the immediate withdrawal of the query issued to Nursing Student Osato Edobor by the Provost of the School of Nursing Sciences, Agbor.
“This decision by the Commissioner for Health stems from a commitment to ensuring that the rights of every student in health sciences and related health programmes are upheld, this way, fostering a conducive learning environment for their academic excellence.”
Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that authorities in the state had asked Edobor to record a video thanking Governor Oborevwori for intervening in her case after the school issued a query letter to her.
In a letter earlier issued to Edobor and signed by the Provost of the College, Mrs. Evbodaghe Rita Ogonne, the institution highlighted that the act of recording, singing, and posting the video in question was deemed inappropriate and in violation of the institution’s standards.
According to Evbodaghe, the student’s actions contravened the rules outlined in the Student Handbook, particularly under “Standardised Disciplinary Action for Some Punishable Offences No. 8, Page 21.”
She referred to the incident as a “malicious act” that contravenes the expected behaviour of students during official events.
The letter demanded an explanation from Edobor in triplicate within 24 hours of receipt, warning her that failure to comply might result in disciplinary action.
The query read, “It has come to the notice of the school authority that you, Student Nurse Osato Edobor on the 25th of March, 2025 during official visit of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON at Dome Event Center, Asaba for the Renewed Hope Initiative Health Programme and distribution of 10,000 Professional Kits (Crocs and Scrubs) to Midwives in each Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria South South Zone, was found to be engage in malicious act of recording/singing and posting unofficial response to song during the arrival of the First Lady (found on your TikTok Page).
“This is a punishable offence as enshrined in the Student Handbook under standardised disciplinary action for some punishable offences No. 8. Page 21.
“You are therefore requested to explain in writing in triplicate copies within 24 hours of receipt of this letter why disciplinary action should not be taken against you for this act.”
A viral video circulating on social media since Wednesday shows a group of nursing students rejecting the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, as their “mother” during her visit to the state.
In the clip, the event’s Master of Ceremony introduced Tinubu as “everyone’s mother,” a common title for First Ladies. However, the students openly rejected the designation.
When the MC said, “Na our mama be this” (meaning “This is our mother”), the students responded in unison, “Na your mama be this” (“This is your mother”), making it clear they did not accept the title.
The incident reflects growing frustration among Nigerians over the economic hardship affecting them under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.v
When SaharaReporters reached out to the college provost, Mrs. Evbodaghe, regarding the query, she accused Edobor of disgracing the school and violating the nursing code while in uniform.
PUBLIC NOTICE: The Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, has directed the immediate withdrawal of the query issued to Nursing Student Osato Edobor by the Provost of the School of Nursing Sciences, Agbor.
This decision by the Commissioner for Health stems from… pic.twitter.com/RwMcmYJWTO
— Delta State Government (@DSGovernment) March 28, 2025
