Oluremi Tinubu donates 140,000 girl-child development books to public schools

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, has donated 140,000 copies of seven storybooks on girl-child development to the Federal Ministry of Education for distribution to public school libraries across the country.

The books, published by the Merck Foundation and reproduced by the Office of the First Lady, were formally handed over to the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, in Abuja on Thursday.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mrs Tinubu said the initiative underscores her commitment to empowering young girls through education and equipping them to realise their full potential.

She said the books, which cover different themes and life lessons, would benefit both boys and girls by helping them develop confidence, empathy, healthy habits and an appreciation for equity and social responsibility.

“It gladdens my heart that I am able to partner with the Merck Foundation on this. They are quite small but meaningful compared to our population size. They have been working with other African nations,” she said.

The First Lady said the foundation had become an international partner of her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), adding that the collaboration had continued to deliver tangible benefits.

“We now use them as RHI international partners, and they are committed to improving healthcare, education and social development across Africa,” she said.

Mrs Tinubu disclosed that the partnership had also strengthened Nigeria’s health sector through capacity building.

“Through our partnership, the foundation has provided 91 medical scholarships that are helping to strengthen the health sector in Nigeria,” she said.