First Lady celebrates Nigerian children, launches new education, health initiatives

By Kunle Sanni

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to education and the welfare of young Nigerians, describing children as the “heartbeat of the nation.”

She made the remarks during the launch of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Additional Financing to States and the AGILE Games Award Ceremony, held at the State House, Abuja, as part of the Children’s Day celebrations.

Addressing students, teachers, and dignitaries, Senator Tinubu praised the World Bank-supported AGILE programme, which aims to reduce the number of out-of-school children and enhance girl-child education across Nigeria. She noted that the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s broader education agenda.

“Every child represented here today has demonstrated what is possible when opportunity meets support,” she said. “Keep learning, keep creating, and know that your potential to make a real difference in Nigeria is limitless.”

Encouraging the youth to seize every opportunity for growth, the First Lady emphasized that all children—regardless of whether they received awards—are champions in their own right.

She also introduced two upcoming programmes under her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI). The first is the Environment Club for Secondary Schools and the Environment Society for Tertiary Institutions, aimed at promoting environmental responsibility among youth.

The second, Flow with Confidence, will provide a year’s supply of disposable sanitary pads to adolescent girls in rural areas, helping them stay in school during their menstrual cycles.

In his remarks, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described education as both a human right and a national security imperative. “Every textbook is a brick in the foundation of peace and prosperity,” he stated.

World Bank Country Director, Taimur Samad, revealed that AGILE is the second-largest project funded by the bank globally and aims to support 50 million students in Nigeria, addressing the high dropout rate among girls.