- The first lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, mobilized more than Rs 20 billion to complete the long-destroyed national library project in Abuja.
- Rather than hosting a 65th birthday celebration, she called for donations under “Oluremi of 65 Educational Funds.”
- Tinubu describes the library project as a personal passion, recalling her failed attempts while in the Senate.
The first lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, turned her 65th birthday into a landmark charity, mobilizing over Rs 20 billion to complete the long-destroyed national library project in Abuja.
Rather than hosting a meticulous celebration of her milestone birthday on September 21, Mrs. Tinubu urged friends, colleagues and kind-hearted people to transfer their kindness to donations under the “Oluremi 65 Education Fund” coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Education.
Speaking at the correspondent at the President’s Villa, she said that completing the National Library would be the most meaningful birthday gift she could receive, describing the initiative as a career that deeply personalized to her.
The First Lady recalls her time as a senator on the Education Commission, despite the consistent efforts of the Commission during the administration of President Shehu Shagari. She lamented the decades-long abandonment of the project, highlighting the key role the library plays in shaping its own lives and the lives of many young Nigerians.
Mrs. Tinobu criticized her initiatives, urging Nigerians to embrace patriotism and selfless service. She quoted former U.S. President John F. Kennedy as saying: “Don’t ask what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”
More than $20 billion in fundraising has been raised so far, with more donations expected in the coming weeks. The first lady expressed optimism that once the library is completed, it will become a national heritage of education and knowledge.
