On Friday, Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, made an important declaration emphasizing that for Africa to fully optimize its rich and abundant natural resources and achieve significant advancements in human development, the continent must begin to look inward for solutions. She highlighted that this process should start with providing the right education for the youth of Africa, who are essential to the continent’s future growth and prosperity.
Mrs. Tinubu expressed these thoughts during a meeting at the State House in Abuja, where she received the Burundian Ambassador to Nigeria, Edouard Nduwimana. The discussion underscored the need for African nations to focus on their internal capabilities and resources to address the challenges they face.
While addressing the Ambassador, the wife of the President articulated that the solutions to Africa’s pressing challenges are inherently African, pointing out that it is crucial for countries on the continent to strengthen their bonds of brotherhood and collaboration for meaningful development. She stressed that the era of taking the continent’s natural resources for granted is over, calling on leaders across Africa to take proactive steps toward empowering the youth and involving them in developmental efforts.
“Education is the most powerful tool for development,” she stated, expressing gratitude that there is now a growing recognition across Africa that the key to progress lies in ensuring that the youth receive a proper education. This education will enable them to secure their rightful place in the marketplace and contribute effectively to society. She also urged the youth to prepare themselves for the challenges ahead, emphasizing the importance of resilience and readiness.
Mrs. Tinubu continued by asserting that when leaders persist in doing what is right for the youth and lead by example, they will successfully engage the younger generation in the critical task of building a better future for the continent. “Africa is a continent that has been blessed abundantly by God, and I find it perplexing that we have allowed ourselves to be in a state of disarray for so long. Everything that is desired in the developed world is available in Africa, and we must not take these blessings for granted,” she remarked.
The First Lady reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to elevating not just Nigeria but the entire African continent to its rightful position on the global stage. “We carry a significant amount of responsibility in our country, but simultaneously, we must ensure that Africa as a whole takes its rightful place among the other continents of the world,” she stated. She noted that there have been significant changes in the way things are done, highlighting that Nigerians are increasingly becoming accountable for their actions. “We are determined to restore the respect that Nigeria truly deserves on the international scene.”
The Burundian Ambassador, speaking through an interpreter, expressed gratitude for the First Lady’s interest and support for education in Nigeria, stating that his visit was meant to convey his country’s appreciation. He acknowledged that while Burundi has faced its share of crises in the past, it is now on a promising path toward peace and progress.
“Burundi is now a stable state where peace prevails, and we have established a commission dedicated to peace and reconciliation. We are making strides toward development, thanks to the remarkable leadership of our current president, who has laid out a vision for the years 2040 and 2060,” he explained.
Having spent seven months in Nigeria, the Ambassador commended the hospitality and warmth he has experienced during his time in the country, expressing hope for continued collaboration and mutual support between Nigeria and Burundi in the future.
