Oluremi Tinubu pledges N1bn donation to OAU

The wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Thursday, pledged a N1bn donation for the horticultural landscaping of the  Obafemi Awolowo University campus in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Tinubu, who was at the university on Thursday for the unveiling of the 2.7-kilometre Senator Oluremi Tinubu Way, reminisced about the beautiful landscape of the university campus while she was a student there years ago.

The road, a grand pavilion, and a monument on the OAU campus were donated by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and named in Mrs Tinubu’s honour.

Lamenting that the campus’s green landscape had significantly deteriorated over the years, she called for urgent efforts to restore the environment and revive the beauty of the academic community.

Blaming poor maintenance culture for the degradation of the campus landscape, Tinubu announced a donation of N1bn towards the restoration of OAU’s horticultural landscape.

She said, “I will donate N1bn for OAU’s horticultural landscape to be restored. The campus used to be beautiful when I was here. Ife is crying out for help. It used to be a beautiful campus, and the beauty must be restored.”

Commenting on the projects named after her by the Ooni, the President’s wife expressed her appreciation, noting that the event was part of the activities marking the 50th birthday celebration of Oba Ogunwusi.

Earlier, Oba Ogunwusi explained that the projects were named after Senator Tinubu in recognition of her contributions to the well-being of humanity.

The royal father praised Mrs. Tinubu’s outstanding leadership and dedication to education, women’s empowerment, and national unity, saying, “A golden statue is erected to immortalise her virtuous personality and to showcase the strength of a teacher, mother, and wife at the very heart of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.”

He added, “Furthermore, a state-of-the-art hostel has been built, whose dynamic pavilion reflects her progressive nature.

“The construction of the 2.7-kilometre road with glowing solar street lamps provides a viable alternative for Obafemi Awolowo University students during recent blackouts on campus. The road, now known as ‘Senator Oluremi Tinubu Way,’ symbolises the many paths she has opened for youth, women, and the underprivileged in our society.

“The biggest hostel and pavilion in the history of Obafemi Awolowo University, which bears her name, represent her efforts to create spaces for learning, development, and empowerment for all.”

In his remarks, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, represented by his deputy, Mr. Kola Adewusi, said his administration remained committed to upgrading infrastructural amenities across the state.