First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has broken her silence on the controversy trailing the Nigerian Senate, saying the chamber remains a “matured” institution that must be treated with respect.

Her remarks come amid allegations of sexual harassment against the President of the Senate, Goodwill Akpabio, and abuse of power by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Speaking to journalists at the State House, Abuja, in her commemoration of the International Women’s Day, First Lady Tinubu dismissed concerns over the Senate’s handling of issues, insisting lawmakers are “doing what is needful.”

Tinubu, who served in the Senate for 12 years, said the chamber should be a place of honour, not controversy.

“I know with what is going on in the Senate, you’ll say, why am I not taking a position? I believe that the Senate is doing what is needful because that’s what it is, it’s an inside place, and it’s a matured chamber.

“We shouldn’t be hearing things like that. It’s a mature chamber, and it should be treated with respect. It’s an honour for you to be in that place alone.

“I was there for 12 years, even in my younger days, and I’m still trying to look young, but people compliment you all the time only that”, she said.

Reflecting on her own 12-year tenure in the Senate, Mrs. Tinubu encouraged women to carry themselves with dignity and confidence.

She urged them not to allow themselves to be in positions where they could be demeaned.

“Women, raise yourself. Don’t be in a position where men will be talking to you in ways that are unacceptable. You can always shut them down before they start,” she advised.

In line with this year’s International Women’s Day theme, which revisits the commitments made at the 1995 Beijing Conference on gender equality, the First Lady highlighted the progress Nigerian women have made over the years.

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“Women, we’ve come a long way, even from all the matriarchs of old. They contributed, and up till now, women are doing phenomenal things,” she said.

She cited the example of Zuriel Oduwole, a young Nigerian advocate making waves on the international stage.

“Look at little Zuriel—you see what we can do. So I don’t believe that Nigerian youths are not equipped. They have what it takes,” she added.

Mrs. Tinubu celebrated the resilience of Nigerian women and encouraged them to continue striving for excellence.

“Keep doing what you know how to do, lifting your heads high. All the very best, and Happy International Women’s Day”, she urged.

She also urged Nigerian women to assert themselves in leadership and not be sidelined.