The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has been conferred with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Public Administration at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, on Saturday, 14th December.
The event which featured the grand ceremony of the University’s 48th Convocation, also awarded other four eminent personalities alongside the First Lady; Dr Akin Ogunbiyi, Professor Anthony Adegbulugbe, MTN Nigeria CEO, Karl Toriola, and Daere Afonya-A Akobo.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu speaking at the ceremony expressed gratitude for receiving the honorary award from her alma mater. She appreciated the University senate and governing council for considering her worthy, which according to her edified all her nights of studying as an undergraduate student in Moremi Hall.
She further charged the graduands to prioritize Nigeria as “first place” on their agenda, stating that the nation belongs to all while encouraging them to be innovative in the contemporary age.
‘People who are going to make it in society are people who are ready to think outside the box’, she said.
Expressing her displeasure with the fashioned-out ‘okada’ (motorcycle) mode of transport in the University community, the First Lady pledged to support and provide shuttle buses in collaboration with other prominent individuals to improve the commercial transportation system of the institution while acknowledging her earlier donation of N1 billion to enhance the University’s aesthetic.
Speaking on her continued commitment to education, the First Lady stated she has increased her endowment fund to the University, to N200 Million categorized into; N50 million for the best graduating student in the Faculty of Education, N50 million for the best graduating female student in Education and Biology department, N50 million for the best graduating student in Mathematics Education and N50 Million donation to OAU Foundation for girl child and leadership.
The First Lady equally dedicated her award to every girl child. ‘I dedicate my award to every young girl who dares to dream big and strive for excellence’, she stated.
In attendance were wives of state governors, royal fathers, Vice-Chancellors of other neighbouring Universities, dignitaries across spheres of politics, business, royalty and academics.