The First Lady of Nigeria has told a gathering at Lambeth Palace that God’s mercy brings “fresh benefits” to her each morning.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu, First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, delivered the sermon as part of the Nigerian official state visit to the United Kingdom.
Mrs Tinubu is a Christian, whilst her husband, President Bola Tinubu, identifies as a Muslim.
The couple were welcomed to Lambeth Palace by the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, Rt Revd Anthony Poggo. They were joined by Rt Revd Lusa Nsenga-Ngoy, the Church of England’s lead bishop for interfaith relations, Rt Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Bishop of Dover, and Rt Revd Dr Emma Ineson, Acting Bishop of London. David Smith MP, special envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, was also in attendance.
“It’s as if we’ve been here for a whole month,” Senator Oluremi Tinubu told the congregation at Lambeth Palace Chapel. “It has been hectic and full of a lot of good things.”
“I love the King James Version of the Bible,” she continued, before reading from Ephesians 2:4-6: “For God, who is so rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, by grace ye are saved; and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."
“This is the only time God is referred to as being ‘rich’ in anything at all: mercy,” she declared. “There are things I dwell on – fresh manna in the morning. God doesn’t give us anything stale, he always gives us things that are fresh.
“The mercy I have today is different from the mercy I had yesterday. God gives us benefits, fresh benefits, fresh mercy and fresh bread every day.”
Rt Revd Anthony Poggo described the visit as “excellent" and said that they had prayed together for “the people of Nigeria and the needs of the world".
For many Christians, the state visit has been deeply controversial due to ongoing persecution in Nigeria.
Dr Richard Ikiebe, president of Peace Building and Social Justice UK (PBSJUK), told Premier Christian News he worried the Nigerian government “would rather focus on ‘optics’ and public relations" than attacks on Christians.
He urged churches to speak up against the persecution of believers in Nigeria, saying: "The people pushing the narrative are quite happy for us to do nothing."
David Smith MP told Premier Christian News: “It was a pleasure to meet Madame Tinubu, First Lady of Nigeria this week, and to hear her preach at Lambeth Palace on the Grace of God as a model for life.
“I hope to visit Nigeria this year to learn more about how the global community can work with the Nigerian government to ensure that all those currently fearing persecution in Northern Nigeria from extremism because of their religion or belief can experience Grace instead of fear.”