By Hussein J-Isah
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Thursday, supported the recovery of aesthetics of the campus of Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Osun State, where she was a student, with the donation of N1bllion for the landscaping of the institution.
Sen. Tinubu, recalled with nostalgia the green landscape on the campus of OAU, which she lamented had been eroded, called for efforts towards the recovery of the environment to return the beauty of the academic community.
She spoke on Thursday at the inauguration of the 2.7km Senator Oluremi Tinubu Way, the grand pavilion and monument on the campus of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, donated by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, in Ile-Ife and named after the President’s wife.
She highlighted poor maintenance culture as reason for the erosion of the beautiful landscapes on the university’s campus, while announcing the donation of N1 billion towards the restoration of the OAU horticultural landscape.
Going down memory lane, the First Lady said: “I will donate N1 billion for the OAU horticultural landscape to be restored. The campus used to be beautiful while 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, she noted that the event was part of those lined up to mark the 50th birthday anniversary of Oba Ogunwusi.
Earlier, Oba Ogunwusi said the projects were named after Senator Tinubu in recognition of her contributions to the well-being of humanity.
The Ooni of Ife also said Mrs Tinubu over the years, demonstrated outstanding leadership and a deep commitment to the cause of education, women’s empowerment, and national unity.
“A golden statue is erected to immortalise her virtuous person and to showcase the strength of a teacher, a mother, and a wife in her at the very heart of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
“Furthermore, built, is a state-of-the-art hostel whose dynamic pavilion reflects her progressive nature.
“The construction of a 2.7km road with glowing street Solar Lamps; the luminous, glowing, solar-powered street lamps provided a viable alternative for goal-driven Obafemi Awolowo University students during recent blackouts on campus.
“The road that will henceforth be known as ‘Senator Oluremi Tinubu Way’ is symbolic of those 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 that bears her name represents her efforts to create spaces of learning, development, and empowerment for all,” the royal father stated.
In similar vein, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, represented by his deputy, Kola Adewusi, seized the occasion to inform that the state government had not jettisoned its pledge to ensure the upgrade of infrastructure in the state.
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