Remi Tinubu Commissions Dream Centre at OAU
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Remi Tinubu Commissions Dream Centre at OAU
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has Thursday commissioned the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Dream Centre at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, with a call on students to pursue their dreams with patience, discipline and consistency.
The commissioning ceremony, held on the university campus, was attended by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; wives of some state governors; the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa; the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Adebayo Simeon Bamire; royal fathers, university officials and students.
Speaking at the event, the First Lady said the centre was established to inspire young Nigerians and strengthen their confidence through storytelling, mentorship and reflection.
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She expressed joy that her life story, shaped by faith, service and determination, had been preserved in a space created to motivate students, urging them not to covet the dreams of others but to walk patiently with their own.
According to her, the journey to success requires discipline and consistency, noting that the Dream Centre was created for both boys and girls in line with her belief in equal opportunity for all young people.
Senator Tinubu explained that the facility houses inspirational books, including her four-part work, The Journey of Grace, which she said was written to show how God’s guidance shaped her path and to serve as a source of motivation for students.
She added that the project was initially conceived as a modest pavilion but later expanded and renamed the Dream Centre to ensure it would outlive her and serve as a lasting legacy, especially in a university known for producing influential personalities.
In his remarks, the Ooni of Ife traced the origin of the project to 2019, when he approached the then Vice-Chancellor and other university officials to seek a space to honour Senator Tinubu.
He said the university senate initially resisted the proposal due to its tradition of reserving such recognition for the institution’s founding fathers, adding that approval was eventually granted for a three-kilometre road to be named Senator Oluremi Tinubu Way.
The monarch noted that the project suffered delays during the COVID-19 pandemic before it was revived when Senator Tinubu became First Lady, a development he described as divine timing.
Praising the First Lady, whom he fondly called “Mama,” the Ooni said the Dream Centre was built for all students and symbolised perseverance and commitment to supporting young Nigerians.
Also speaking, the NITDA Director-General said the centre provides a structured environment where students can engage with real-life stories that promote resilience, leadership and vision.
He emphasised that the centre allows young people to engage with Senator Tinubu’s life story in order to motivate them and reinforce the belief that dreams can be achieved through steady effort.
Inuwa further noted the importance of providing young people with spaces that encourage them to visualise their goals clearly and to grow through guidance grounded in real-life experiences.
He described the Dream Centre as a space where students can explore narratives that challenge them to develop patience, strength and confidence in their capabilities.
In his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor described the commissioning as a milestone for the institution, noting that the centre aligns with the university’s commitment to nurturing leaders and innovators.
He added that the Dream Centre would serve as a source of motivation and mentorship for generations of students.
The Dream Centre was conceptualised and donated to the university by the Ooni of Ife, while NITDA supplied the IT-enabled devices installed in the facility.
The event ended with a tour of the centre by dignitaries and guests, who expressed optimism that the facility would have a lasting impact on students’ aspirations and development.
