Interactive Birthday Luncheon: Oluremi Tinubu Meets State House Press, Announces ₦20.4bn for National Library(Video)

Interactive Birthday Luncheon: Oluremi Tinubu Meets State House Press, Announces ₦20.4bn for National Library(Video)

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday hosted members of the State House Press Corps to an interactive birthday luncheon at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where she announced that her 65th birthday fundraiser had so far realized ₦20.4 billion towards the completion of the long-abandoned National Library project.

Describing the initiative as a “love project”, the First Lady stressed that it was not politically motivated but borne out of her lifelong passion for education and the transformative power of libraries.

“We did it for love; this is a love project,” she said, noting that the Oluremi@65 Education Fund account would remain open until December 2025 to allow more Nigerians to contribute.

Senator Tinubu, who took questions from the press in an interactive session, recalled her past philanthropic efforts, including raising ₦50 million for the National Sickle Cell Foundation at 45, and ₦200 million for the New Era Foundation and other charities at 50. She emphasized that her 65th milestone was dedicated to ensuring the National Library — first conceived in 1981 but stalled for decades — is finally completed as a national treasure for generations to come.

The First Lady also highlighted the wide range of contributors who have supported the project, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and his wife, former President Muhammadu Buhari, several former first ladies, National Assembly leaders, governors and their spouses, as well as business moguls such as Aliko Dangote, Abdulsamad Rabiu, Arthur Eze, Tony Elumelu, and Jim Ovia.

Dignitaries present at the luncheon included the wife of the Vice President, Her Excellency Nana Kashim Shettima, while Bayo Onanuga led the media team. The event featured warm exchanges as the First Lady went round to personally greet members of the Press Corps, capping the afternoon with a celebratory atmosphere befitting her 65th birthday.

The luncheon was not just a celebration but a demonstration of leadership, humility, and vision. As Senator Tinubu put it, the National Library is not merely a building project but a gift of love, a legacy of knowledge, and a symbol of national renewal.

Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah reporting from the Presidential Villa for iReporteronline.