Nigeria’s First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has said that for Africa to optimise its abundant natural resources and take a quantum leap in human development, the continent must look inward for solutions, starting with the right education for its teeming youthful population.
She gave her opinion when she received the Burundian ambassador to Nigeria, Edouard Nduwimana, at the State House, Abuja.
Addressing the ambassador, the First Lady said the solution to Africa’s challenges lies with Africans, noting that it is time for African countries to strengthen the bond of brotherhood among themselves for development on the continent.
According to her, the days of taking the natural resources that the continent is endowed with for granted are over. She called on leaders to work towards empowering and enlisting youths in developmental efforts.
“Education is the tool for development and I thank God that Africa has known that the way out for us is to make sure that our youths are educated so that they can really have the right of place in the marketplace. I also believe that the youth should realise that they need to really brace themselves up.
“When we continue to do what is right for them and also lead by example, we will be able to win our youths over so that they can join in how we build the next century.
“Africa is a continent God has really blessed and I don’t know why we have abused ourselves this long. Everything they want in developed worlds is all situated in Africa. God has blessed us as a continent and we should not take it for granted,” she said.
The First Lady reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to bringing not only Nigeria to its pride of place but Africa as a whole.
“We have a lot of responsibility in our country but at the same time, we have to make sure the African continent takes its pride of place among the other continents of the world. A lot has changed in the way we do things. Nigerians are now accountable. We want to bring the respect Nigeria really deserves.”
The Burundian ambassador, Edouard Nduwimana, who spoke through an interpreter, said the visit was to register his country’s appreciation for the First Lady’s interest in and support for education.
He acknowledged that Burundi has had its fair share of crises, but noted that the country is now back on the path of peace and progress.
“Burundi is now a stable state and peace reigns in Burundi. We have also established a commission for peace and reconciliation and we are on our way to development due to the amazing leadership of our current president, who has established a vision for 2040 and 2060,” he said.
The ambassador, who has spent seven months in Nigeria, commended the hospitality and warmth he has enjoyed in the country.