First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Champions Education and Youth Empowerment at Charity Gala
Speaking at a Charity Gala Event hosted by the Spouses of Heads of Missions in Nigeria, the First Lady praised the power of partnerships in transforming education, especially through creative initiatives like the Five Cowries Arts Education Initiative, the NGO benefitting from the event.
“Education is the foundation of true national development,” she said. “That is why the administration of President Bola Tinubu and the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) since 2023 have remained focused on education and youth empowerment.”
Senator Tinubu lauded the diplomatic community’s spouses for not only supporting their partners in Nigeria but also contributing meaningfully to national progress. “From renovating schools and assisting hospitals to supporting the underprivileged in business, your contributions are making a lasting impact in our communities,” she said.
To further support the Five Cowries project, the First Lady announced a N100 million donation from the Renewed Hope Initiative, aimed at funding 5,000 arts exhibitions across Nigeria. She also encouraged individuals, organizations, and development partners to support the cause through donations, advocacy, and collaboration.
In her welcome address, Mrs. Lucrecia Downer, spouse of the British High Commissioner to Jamaica, highlighted the importance of integrating the arts into education. She noted that using art as a learning tool enhances students’ outcomes and broadens access to education, especially in underserved communities.
Founder of the Five Cowries Arts Education Initiative, Polly Alakija, outlined the organisation’s plans to expand art education throughout Africa. She explained that the initiative promotes learning on critical global issues such as health, conservation, and citizenship—especially for children and women in rural communities.
The gala served as a major fundraising event for the Five Cowries initiative, with guests pledging support for its vision of improving education through the arts.
SIGNED
Busola Kukoyi
Senior Special Assistant on Media to the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Thursday, 22nd May 2025
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