30
Jan
Jan
FIRST LADY UNVEILS DREAM CENTRE AT OAU, URGES YOUTHS TO AIM HIGH…AS SHE HANDS OVER 50 SHUTTLE BUSES
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Caroline Ameh / 5 days
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- 3 min read
The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has commissioned the Oluremi Tinubu Dream Centre at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, urging young Nigerians to dream boldly and work diligently towards achieving their aspirations. The Dream Centre, a digital library built by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, in honour of the First Lady and digitised by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), was inaugurated amid wide commendation from stakeholders. Speaking at the event, Senator Tinubu described the centre as a significant milestone in her long-standing desire to inspire future generations, particularly young people. She encouraged youths to see dreaming as a lifelong process anchored on discipline, faith, and continuous self-improvement.“The Ooni wanted young girls to come here to learn a bit of how I got here. That is interesting. I have always dreamt of being a teacher and I achieved that dream. But I did not stop there; I kept dreaming and here I am today,” she said. The First Lady added that her journey was shaped by intentional dreams about family, service, and purpose. “I dreamt about the type of wife I wanted to be and the kind of mother I wanted to be. I didn’t stop there; I ensured I allowed God to help me along the way,” she noted. She expressed optimism that the fully digitised and purpose-built centre would serve as a modern hub for learning, creativity, and mentorship. According to her, the facility includes a mentorship room, library, digital museum, dream room, innovation hub, studio, and a technology garden.“These sections come together as one, reflecting the power of dreams, imagination, and inspiration as forces for change and personal growth. I call on youths to visit the centre, build their dreams, and pursue them without being overly ambitious,” she said. In his remarks, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, said the vision behind the Dream Centre was inspired by the enduring legacy and humanitarian contributions of the First Lady. “The mother of the nation has done so much for humanity over the past two decades. I cannot celebrate her enough. What was once built as a pavilion for students has now been upgraded to serve a higher purpose, an innovative space where Nigerian youths can dare to dream,” the monarch said. The commissioning ceremony also provided an opportunity for Senator Tinubu to fulfil a promise she made during the university’s postgraduate convocation ceremony in 2025. She formally handed over 50 brand-new shuttle buses and 40 tricycles to the management of Obafemi Awolowo University to enhance campus transportation and promote student welfare. The donation follows her earlier intervention in October 2024, when she donated ₦1 billion to her alma mater in support of infrastructure and institutional development. This is another chapter in the First Lady’s ongoing engagement with education, youth development, and technological empowerment across the country.