German foundation names Senator Tinubu 'More Than A Mother'
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has restated the vital role education plays in national development.
She said a well-educated population is the foundation for a prosperous and progressive society.
Mrs. Tinubu said this when she hosted the management team of a Germany-based philanthropic organisation, Merck Foundation, yesterday in Abuja.
The First Lady emphasised that no society can truly advance without prioritising education.
She reaffirmed her commitment to expanding scholarship opportunities for Nigerian youths, stressing that education remains a top priority for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“I believe once you have an educated population, the country will grow in bounds. It would be a disaster to hand over the future to an uneducated generation,” she said.
During the courtesy visit, the foundation honoured Senator Tinubu with the title “More Than A Mother” Campaign Ambassador.
A statement by her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi, said the designation recognises the First Lady’s longstanding advocacy for women’s empowerment, education, and reproductive health across Nigeria and Africa.
Mrs. Tinubu highlighted key interventions of her pet project, the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), particularly in the education sector.
The First Lady noted that RHI had facilitated scholarship schemes and learning support for underprivileged students nationwide, with plans to broaden the reach and impact in the months ahead.
Commending Merck Foundation for its extensive support in the health and education sectors, Senator Tinubu lauded its provision of scholarships for Nigerian students to study medicine, with a focus on reproductive and fertility health.
“Infertility and the stigma surrounding it are still significant issues in Africa,” she said.
According to her, there is a need for holistic approaches to education that incorporate health and gender awareness.
Merck Foundation Chai rman, Prof. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, who led the delegation, said the organisation was pleased to partner the First Lady and her Renewed Hope Initiative to further expand its work in Nigeria.
“Due to your efforts and dedication to the welfare of women, girls, and education, we are honoured to appoint you as the ‘More Than A Mother’ Campaign Ambassador,” he said.
Stangenberg-Haverkamp sought a deeper collaboration between the foundation and the Office of the First Lady, assuring his hostess that Nigeria remains a key focus of Merck’s work in Africa.
“It gives young girls the opportunity to have a better life and overcome the stigma of not having children,” he said.
The CEO of Merck Foundation, Dr. Rasha Kelej, explained that the organisation’s mission includes ending child marriage, promoting girls’ education, and empowering women at all levels.
She added: “In you, the foundation finds a worthy partner, willing and able to expand the frontiers of a shared cause.”
Through its ongoing partnership with African nations, Merck Foundation has provided hundreds of scholarships and training opportunities, particularly in the medical field, to underserved communities.
Its collaboration with the First Lady of Nigeria is expected to deepen impact in maternal health, gender equality, and youth education.
