Nigeria’s first lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has commissioned a state-of-the-art Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Centre named after her at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile Ife, Osun State.

The hub named Senator Oluremi Tinubu Dream Centre is designed to push youngsters within the university to dream and actualize their dreams.

Speaking on Thursday at the commissioning, Mrs Tinubu said dreaming big about the future is a lifehack that helps people attain greatness more quickly and effectively. She said the Centre stands as a hub to inspire those who dare to dream, noting that the power to change the course of one’s life begins with a dream and a step towards actualizing it.

“I want to encourage our young people, boys and girls, young men and young ladies to dream big and walk their dream. I say this with all sense of authority and responsibility that if you’re able to dream it, you can achieve it. And I can tell you that where I am today is a product of my youthful dream,” she stated.

The first lady who noted that the Dream Centre had the most advanced digital tools, said it also contained conventional library facilities with motivational books that help people dream and achieve their goals. She urged students of the institution to make use of the Centre to bolster their power to dream, arguing that an individual without personal dreams is one without a glorious future. While identifying the target users of the facility as Genzies, Mrs Tinubu clarified that the ICT Centre would not be for a particular gender, but all students of the institution who could read, write, listen, dream and learn how to actualize their dreams.

“This center is not for girls alone. It is also for boys. We have books, we have materials that we brought in. Some we will give to you for free. Others will be in the little library where you can just take them, read there and go. So, every day, do all you have to do as if there’s no tomorrow. God is the owner of tomorrow. If he gives you a tomorrow, you can start again. And start dreaming and fulfill that day. I hope you understand that it’s one day at a time, one step at a time and you will arrive at your destination.”

Earlier In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Simeon Bamire, praised the first lady for her interventions in the institution, especially those dealing with human capital development, calling her a worthy alumna of the university.

“The rain of your benevolence has fallen most generously and purposefully upon our university, touching every facet of our academic and communal life. Your excellency, your footprints on this campus, marking your third visit within the span of a single year are unprecedented, profoundly inspiring and have left an indelible mark on the history of this institution, “he stated.

Professor Bamire also highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s targeted interventions, praising his education friendly policies aimed at strengthening the core of the nation’s education sector while building a better future for the country’s young ones.

“With the two landmark initiatives of the Nigerian Education Loans Fund (NELFUND) and the approval of an enhanced salary package for the academic staff of universities, this administration has sent a clear and reassuring message that education remains the cornerstone of Nigeria’s renewal and the surest path to future prosperity.”

The Director General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Inuwa Abdullahi, in his remarks, said the occasion presented an opportunity to provide targeted solutions for young people who need them. He said the Centre built by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and equipped by NITDA boasts of digital tools that combine technology, artificial intelligence and storytelling for the preservation of history.

“We gather here to commission something new and unique. The fusion of technology, artificial intelligence and storytelling to preserve our history, in particular the history of the incredible life of her excellency, our first lady. We know that most of the targeted users of the centre are going to be students who are Genzies and Gen Alphas. Most of them are digital natives. They don’t visit archives or museums, they visit digital realms, so we are expanding the wisdom of storytelling into their realm, the digital realm, so that they can appreciate history and storytelling as a tool for leadership.”

His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, commended the first lady, praising her efforts in education and human capital development. Oba Ogunwusi said the centre would preserve the legacy of the first lady while inspiring other women to walk in her path.