A viral video from the Delta State College of Nursing has sparked widespread reactions after the institution issued a disciplinary query to one of its students, Osato Edobor, over her role in the now-famous “Na Your Mama Be This” chant during the visit of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
The incident occurred during the First Lady’s recent visit to the college for the Renewed Hope Initiative Health Programme in Asaba. During the welcoming ceremony, students were expected to chant in response to the MC’s call of “Na Our Mama Be This o, We no get another one” with the intended reply: “Na Our Mama Be This o.” However, things took an unexpected turn when a section of the students, rather than following the scripted response, instead sang “Na Your Mama Be This o,” creating a moment of hilarity mixed with underlying sarcasm.
Despite multiple attempts by the MC to correct them, the students persisted, making the scene even more dramatic. The clip of this incident quickly went viral, drawing both amusement and criticism online.
Edobor, whose TikTok account featured the video, was subsequently issued a query by the college’s management. The query accused her of engaging in a “malicious act of recording, singing, and posting an unofficial response to a song during the arrival of the First Lady.” The school cited its Student Handbook, stating that her actions were punishable under the institution’s disciplinary codes. She was given 24 hours to submit a written defense explaining why she should not face disciplinary action.
Part of the controversy surrounding the video stemmed from Edobor’s remarks before the event. In the video, she was heard joking in Pidgin: “We are on our way to Asaba to meet Tinubu’s wife, let me just switch to Pidgin – here, we de line as if we carry bomb – I no understand, as if make we no go bomb Tinubu wife because we go really bomb the Tinubu wife.” While some viewed this as an innocent remark taken out of context, others saw it as inappropriate.
The college’s decision to query Edobor has been met with outrage, with many Nigerians, including activists and legal experts, condemning it as excessive and unjust. Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and lawyer Inibehe Effiong were among the most vocal critics.
“This is sickening! The fact that the college of nursing would even contemplate this is astonishing and scandalous,” Effiong wrote on social media.
Sowore, in a lengthy tweet, suggested that the query was politically motivated, possibly influenced by Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who was present at the event. He called on the college’s Provost, Evbodaghe Rita Ogonne, to withdraw the disciplinary action and ensure Edobor is not harassed until she completes her studies in May 2025.
“I am urging the provost to promptly withdraw the letter to Nurse Osato Edobor and guarantee her protection from further harassment or penalties until she graduates,” he stated.
As the debate rages on, Nigerians are closely watching to see whether Edobor will be spared or made an example of. Will the college stand firm on its decision, or will public pressure force a reversal? The outcome remains to be seen.
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