In a major boost to educational infrastructure and campus welfare, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Thursday inaugurated the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Dream Centre and donated a fleet of 80 vehicles to Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife.
The event, which drew a host of traditional rulers and political heavyweights to the university campus, marked a significant collaboration between traditional leadership and the federal government to address critical challenges in the tertiary education sector.
The donation, comprising 50 buses and 30 tricycles, is expected to drastically alleviate the long-standing transportation difficulties faced by students and staff of the institution.
The newly inaugurated Dream Centre, an advanced Information and Communication Technology (ICT) hub, was constructed by the Ooni of Ife in partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
The facility is designed to foster digital learning, artificial intelligence, and leadership development, while also serving as a repository for cultural storytelling.
Speaking at the inauguration, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu emphasized the importance of mentorship in a changing world.
She expressed her desire for the centre to serve as a beacon of hope and a practical case study for young people, particularly girls, noting that society is currently facing a scarcity of positive role models.
“All along, I have been thinking that I should be a case study for young girls. People talk about the girl child all the time, but nowadays many young people no longer have people to emulate,” Mrs. Tinubu said.
She urged the students to dream positively, recalling her own childhood ambition to become a teacher, a dream she eventually realized.
She clarified that despite the focus on her legacy, the facility is inclusive, stating, “This centre is not for girls alone; it is also for boys. It is a place of dreams, learning, and inspiration for everyone.”
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, described the project as a historic investment in the future of Nigerian youth.
He lauded the First Lady’s consistent commitment to the institution, noting that her presence on campus for the third time in two years demonstrated a genuine dedication to education.
According to the monarch, the Dream Centre is more than a physical structure; it is a legacy project designed to blend modern technology with African identity.
“This centre was conceived to outlive the present generation and continuously inspire young Nigerians to embrace knowledge, innovation, and integrity,” the Ooni stated.
He added that students utilizing the hub would be exposed to global opportunities in AI and innovation while remaining rooted in their cultural history.
Kashifu Abdullahi, the Director-General of NITDA, highlighted the unique nature of the project during his remarks.
He explained that the centre converts the power of digital technology and storytelling to preserve history, ensuring that younger generations have the tools necessary to navigate their lives effectively.
The massive donation of vehicles was met with widespread acclaim from the university community.
The Vice-Chancellor of OAU, Prof. Simeon Bamire, described the intervention as unprecedented in the school’s history.
He noted that the 50 buses and 30 tricycles would significantly ease movement within the sprawling campus, resolving a major logistical pain point for the university community.
Echoing these sentiments, the President of the OAU Students’ Union, Oluwatodimu David, expressed profound appreciation, describing the First Lady as a mother to the OAU community whose generosity would have a direct, positive impact on student life.
The ceremony was attended by dignitaries including the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye; the Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole; the Osun APC governorship candidate, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji; and the wives of several state governors.