Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has called on Nigerians to play down on where they hail from but see themselves first as Nigerians.
The First Lady stressed that it’s imperative to think Nigeria first “whether you are from North, South, East or West”.
According to her, the Think Nigeria First vision, being championed by President Bola Tinubu will form the basis of national prosperity.
Mrs Tinubu expressed this optimism on Thursday during an engagement with the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme, Elsie Attafuah at her office in the State, Abuja.
She said the youth, who have a crucial role to play as they are the future of the country, must be properly mentored and directed in the right path so they can put their God given potentials to productive use.
Her words: “Nigeria is a very fertile ground. We can see how Nigerian youth are doing great in so many areas. We are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel. Push yourself, rise and do something. I believe the best is yet to come for this country”.
The First Lady, who noted that youth and women empowerment, as well as social investment, are key areas of her interventions, said she is ready to partner with the UNDP on these and other areas.
Mrs Tinubu assured that her pet project, Renewed Hope Initiative will continue to engage Nigerian youths and work with partners to further energise and empower them.
In her remarks, the UNDP Resident Representative, Elsie Attafuah highlighted areas they are collaborating which include the Nigeria First Initiative, seeking to encourage Medium and Small Entrepreneurs in the country, creation of an Export Lab, to build confidence of producers and consumers of Made in Nigeria brands, University Innovation Pods to encourage technology innovations (36 to be established in 36 months across 36 States of the Federation) and provision of mini-grids/solarisation of health facilities.
According to her: “Your efforts have caught the attention of UNDP and the agency is here to strengthen your hands with a new initiative tagged Made in Nigeria, designed to promote Nigerian brand and innovation among the 40 million Nigerians who are into small and medium scale enterprises.
“The bold initiatives and reforms of President Bola Tinubu are unprecedented and we appreciate him for these. Especially the tax reform bills he will be signing today”.
The First Lady had earlier granted audience to the outgoing Country Representative of the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, Cristiane Munduate
She thanked the outgoing Country Representative for loving Nigeria, noting that the joint efforts with the RHI in promoting birth registration in the country has provided the right foundation for nurturing and protecting Nigerian children.
She said plans are in place to provide support to children and families affected by the recent clashes in Benue and Plateau States as well as victims of flooding in Mokwa, Niger State.
“The overwhelming population of Nigeria is a big challenge and we will not stop the advocacy on birth registration. The youth of this nation are not difficult but we need to engage them appropriately. Parents should not leave them alone”.
Also at the State House to bid First Lady farewell was the outgoing Country Director of Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, (UNAIDS), Dr Leo Zekeng, who Mrs Tinubu thanked for UNAIDS support towards the successful launch of the Free To Shine Triple Elimination campaign in the six geo- political zones of the country.
She noted that investment in health is crucial for a sustainable future while committing to a sustained advocacy against HIV/AIDs and other diseases threatening the wellbeing of youths and children, intended beneficiaries of the legacies that the current administration is working hard to bequeath to Nigerians.
Deji Elumoye
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