Nigeria’s first lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has donated N1 billion to her Alma mater, the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, OAU.
Mrs Tinubu who said she graduated from the great Ife 41 years ago, lamented the growing infrastructural decay and environmental uncleanliness in the nation’s higher institutions.
She spoke during the official commissioning of a 2 .7 kilometere road adorned with street solar lamps at the university’s auditorium in Ife.
Commending the Arole of Oduduwa and Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Oguwusi for his contributions to the institution, she also congratulated the royal father for attaining his 50 years golden jubilee .
She decried the lack of maintanace culture in in many of the nation’s higher institutions, she noted that many great institutions around the world built over 200 years ago, still look very good due to maintanace lacking in lacking in Nigeria.
However, she said she was proud to have graduated from the Great Ife as she enjoined the authority of the institution to continue maintaining the integrity the institution is known for .
Her words: “Most institutions around the world built 200 years ago still look good. This is because there is maintanace culture of which some of Nigerian university lack.
“As an alumnus of this great institution, I am very proud to have graduated from this campus 41 years ago .We must cultivate the habit of maintainance .
“What I saw here on my arrival especially on the environment was not pleasant to me. We used to clean up the environment during our time .
“I charge the authority of this great institution to continue to develop and maintain the already existing infrastructure while we continue to build on those already on ground.”
In his remark, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke who was represented by his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, said the state government commended the first lady’s numerous contributions to humanity.
Adekeke said that her love for education development in Nigeria cannot be overemphasized.
He added that his administration would continue to support education for the betterment of the society
Earlier, the Ọọ̀ni of Ifẹ̀, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Oguwusi applauded the first lady for her numerous contributions to the service of humanity and the society as a whole .
The monarch who is the custodian of Yorùbá heritage said:
“I recognize in you, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the same values that have guided our people for centuries – resilience, wisdom, and an unwavering commitment to the well-being of others.
“Your efforts in the realm of education, through your New Era Foundation, and your continuous advocacy for the rights and opportunities of young girls and women, mirror the ethos of our ancestors, who always believed in the upliftment of future generations.
“I have been a keen admirer of Senator Oluremi Tinubu as a young man eking out a living in Lagos.
“One of my major attractions was the New Era Initiative especially as it concerns the One Day Governor in Lagos that is totally detribilised and provided opportunities to young secondary school boys and girls to become Governor in Lagos State.
“This has been a milestone and major inspiration for the younger ones to aspire and prosper.
“Many among those young one-day Governors have new stories to tell as they continue to make progress in the universities home and abroad and are prepared as leaders for a new Nigeria.
“Let us not forget your invaluable role as a unifying force in our national family. You have bridged gaps, broken barriers, and shown that in diversity, there is strength.
“Through you, we see the importance of tradition balanced with progress, and the beauty of a modern woman who stands tall in both her cultural heritage and her forward-thinking vision for Nigeria.”
The vice chancellor of the university Prof Adeboyo Bamire in his speech assured the first lady that the institution under his watch will continue to excel in all areas of academic excellence.
He said that naming the newly constructed road after Mrs Olufemi Tinubu was because of her contributions to the society both when she was a senator and now as first lady of the nation.
He said the efforts are on to do sustained development of the institution with effective collaboration with the alumini of the institution.
He lamented high power tarrif in the institution saying it is one of the challenges confronting the institution apart from accommodation problem.
In her speech, wife of Osun State Governor, Mrs Titi Adeleke, applauded Mrs Tinubu for coming to the state.
She assured the first lady that her good lagacies of championing the cause of education of the girl child will continue to help the children of the less previleged and vulnerable.
