First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Urges Youth Participation in Voluntary Service, Becomes Grand Matron of Nigerian Red Cross
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called for greater youth engagement in voluntary organizations as a means of fostering compassion, responsibility, and community service. She made the call while being formally invested as the Grand Matron of the Nigerian Red Cross Society at a ceremony held at the State House in Abuja.
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has stressed the importance of involving young people in voluntary organizations to help shape positive values and cultivate a culture of service among future generations.
Speaking during her investiture as Grand Matron of the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the First Lady said early exposure to humanitarian service would encourage young people to become compassionate and responsible adults.
“If they learn to help from an early age, it would not be hard on them to do it when they are old,” she said.
Describing her appointment as a call to greater service, Senator Tinubu said the new role presents another opportunity to contribute to humanitarian efforts and support vulnerable members of society.
She encouraged Nigerians with the capacity to assist others to do so, noting that collective support and kindness remain essential to nation-building.
“I encourage people, if you have the capacity to help a neighbour in whatever way you can, do so,” she stated.
The First Lady commended the Nigerian Red Cross Society for its longstanding humanitarian interventions across the country and expressed confidence that Nigeria would overcome its current challenges through commitment, unity, and strong leadership.
“There is no challenge that is insurmountable if we have the right will, and we have strong political will, to do right by the nation,” she said.
She further noted that her office, through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), has launched the National Food Bank Programme across the six geopolitical zones of the country to tackle child malnutrition and improve food security among vulnerable families.
Earlier, National President of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Prince Oluyemisi Adeaga, praised the First Lady for her commitment to humanitarian causes through the Renewed Hope Initiative.
He said the Society recognized her dedication to the welfare of women, children, families, and vulnerable Nigerians, adding that her values align with the humanitarian principles upon which the organization was founded.
“With over 1.5 million volunteers, the Society was established under the Act in 1960 as the sole public humanitarian services provider for Nigerians,” Adeaga said.
Welcoming Senator Tinubu into the organization as Grand Matron, he described the investiture as a celebration of compassion, humility, and service to humanity.
“Today is far more than an investiture; it is a celebration of compassion, service and humility. It is a reaffirmation that, in times of uncertainty, hope is sustained by men and women who choose to serve others,” he said.
The NRCS president also highlighted the increasing humanitarian challenges facing the country and paid tribute to affected communities, volunteers, security agencies, and government institutions working to provide relief and support.
He disclosed that plans are underway to establish a Nigeria Academy for Humanitarian Studies, a specialized institution dedicated to humanitarian education, research, and professional development.
The investiture ceremony was attended by members of the International Red Cross network, development partners, and other stakeholders in the humanitarian sector.
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