Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin has said God rewarded Oluremi Tinubu’s punctuality and commitment to legislative duties during her time in the Senate by making her Nigeria’s First Lady.

Barau made the remark on Tuesday during plenary while supporting a proposal that senators’ attendance be taken at the end of each sitting to recognise lawmakers who remain in the chamber until adjournment.

According to him, dedication to legislative work attracts rewards not only from the Senate leadership but also from God.

He said, “Let me even say one thing, apart from being compensated by colleagues or by the leadership, God also compensates you, rewards you for what you are doing.

“I will give you a good example. The current first lady, she used to be the number one person, first person that always came to this senate.

“When she was in the Senate, the most punctual – very punctual – and she would stay throughout the session.

“She would come here before any other person. So, you see, God has rewarded her with the position of first lady.”

Barau urged lawmakers to take their legislative responsibilities seriously, stressing that they were elected to serve Nigerians.

Earlier, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) proposed that the Senate adopt the House of Representatives’ practice of taking attendance at the end of plenary to identify lawmakers who remain until adjournment and recognise their commitment.

Supporting the proposal, Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno recalled receiving an award for punctuality during his time in the House of Representatives under former Speaker Yakubu Dogara, adding that the recognition contributed to his emergence as chief whip in the current Senate.

Oluremi represented Lagos Central in the Senate for 12 years, from June 2011 to June 2023, before becoming First Lady following her husband Bola Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 presidential election.