First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has said she hopes to serve as a positive example and reference point for young girls, noting that strong role models are increasingly scarce in today’s society.
She made the remarks on Thursday during the inauguration of the “Sen. Oluremi Tinubu Dream Centre” at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the Information and Communication Technology centre was constructed by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, in partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
“All along, I have been thinking that I should be a case study for young girls.
“They talk about the girl child all the time, but nowadays people no longer have role models.
“We live in an age where, even when people are doing well, out of envy, many untrue things are said about them on the internet.
“And our young people do not really see many people to emulate,” she said.
The First Lady explained that role models played a key role in shaping her own life and values.
She also encouraged young girls to cultivate positive dreams, revealing that she aspired to become a teacher from an early age and later fulfilled that ambition.
“As young as I was then, just like the two girls who welcomed me here, I knew I wanted to be a teacher, and I ended up being one,” she said.
Tinubu added that the ICT centre had long been a vision close to her heart, explaining that the Dream Centre would serve as a platform to share her personal journey with young people.
“There will be a room called the storytelling room. That is where I will talk about my story.
“This centre is not for girls alone; it is also for boys. We have books and materials that we brought in.
“Some will be given out for free, while others will be kept in a small library where you can read and leave,” she said.
She further advised young girls not to be excessively ambitious, noting that their future paths had already been divinely placed within them.
In his address, NITDA Director-General Kashifu Abdullahi described the facility as a hub for digital innovation, artificial intelligence and storytelling aimed at preserving history.
“This is a unique centre that converts the power of technology and storytelling to preserve our history, so that our younger ones and generations to come will have access to our history and the tools to navigate their lives.
“Without history, it will be difficult to pass knowledge to this generation and the next.
“This centre is designed to preserve the life and history of our First Lady, and we thank Kabiyesi for building it,” he said.
Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi praised the First Lady for her commitment to advancing education in Nigeria, stating that the centre would safeguard her legacy for generations.
The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adebayo Bamire, also lauded the Ooni, the First Lady and NITDA for their collaboration in establishing the facility.
(NAN)
