First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has firmly dismissed allegations that her call for donations to complete the National Library as part of her 65th birthday celebrations is politically driven, emphasizing her lifelong commitment to education and nation-building.
Speaking through her spokeswoman, Busola Kukoyi, the former teacher highlighted the transformative role libraries played in her own life, inspiring her to rally support for the long-delayed project.
“What is wrong with doing well or trying to build our country?” Ms. Tinubu asked, addressing critics during a press briefing.
She cited her history of philanthropy, including her support for post-war reconstruction in Liberia through the Oluremi Tinubu Elementary and Junior Secondary School in Monte Serrado County.
“If I could assist there, why not draw attention to critical needs in our beloved nation?” she added.
The First Lady pointed to her track record of impactful fundraising: at 45, she raised ₦50 million to complete the National Sickle Cell Foundation Centre, now fully operational, and at 50, she mobilized ₦200 million for the New Era Foundation and other charities.
“I have played my part in this project, and I believe Nigerians can raise the funds needed to complete the library. This is not just a project but a national treasure that will serve generations,” she declared.
Mrs.Tinubu revealed that Nigerians have so far donated ₦20.7 billion toward the library’s completion, with the fundraising account—managed by the Ministry of Education and the National Library—remaining open until December 2025.
The account’s signatories, Education Minister Tunji Alausa and Chief Librarian Chinwe Anunobi, ensure government oversight, with Ms.
Tinubu clarifying her role as solely advocating for the cause.Quoting Lebanese poet Gibran Khalil Gibran’s 1925 essay, she said, “Are you a politician, asking what your country can do for you, or a zealous one, asking what you can do for your country? If you are the first, then you are a parasite; if the second, then you are an oasis in a desert.”
She urged Nigerians to take collective responsibility, stating, “A grain of sand and a drop of water make a mighty ocean. If we take our baby steps well, things will begin to shape up for our country.”
The National Library project, stalled for years due to funding shortages, is seen as a vital step toward enhancing educational infrastructure.
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