Oluremi Tinubu fulfils ₦10m education pledge to 12-year-old Ogun artist

By Adejoke Adeleye

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has fulfilled her ₦10 million education pledge to 12-year-old Ogun State artist, Morenikeji Ebunoluwa Joshua, less than a month after his artistic talent caught her attention.

The money, provided through an Education Development Trust Fund, is intended to support Joshua’s education up to the tertiary level.

Senator Tinubu made the pledge on August 18, after seeing Joshua displaying a portrait he had painted of her during the launch of the South-West Zonal National Food Bank Programme at the Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.

Impressed by the quality of the portrait, the First Lady invited the young artist to the podium and announced the ₦10 million education support.

The pledge was formally fulfilled on Friday when the cheque was presented to Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on behalf of the First Lady.

Abiodun described the development as an example of the principle that “a promise made is a promise kept,” saying the gesture was significant beyond its monetary value.

According to the governor, the intervention represented an investment in a young Nigerian whose talent had been identified, recognised and encouraged.

He commended Joshua for his artistic ability and determination to showcase his work, urging other young Nigerians to identify, develop and promote their talents.

“Young Joshua Morenikeji is someone who wants to be heard, he wants to be seen, he wants his talent to be appreciated, and that is a very strong virtue,” Abiodun said.

He added: “The truth is that if you are not out there promoting yourself, nobody is likely to promote you.”

The governor also recalled his earlier intervention in Joshua’s education, saying he first encountered the young artist’s work about three years ago during an exhibition at his office.

Abiodun said further interaction revealed that Joshua was still in primary school at the time, prompting him to provide a scholarship covering his education from primary through secondary school.

“I immediately announced a scholarship in his favour to see him through primary to secondary school, and that has been done,” he said.

With Senator Tinubu’s latest intervention, Joshua’s educational support has now been extended through the tertiary level.

Abiodun expressed appreciation to the First Lady for fulfilling her pledge and described her as a supporter of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He disclosed that a dedicated account had been opened to preserve the ₦10 million specifically for Joshua’s educational needs.

“We extend our deepest appreciation for this gift of ₦10 million, whose account has been opened specifically for this purpose,” the governor said.

The governor also congratulated Joshua’s parents and urged them to continue supporting their son as he develops his artistic abilities.

Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the First Lady on Strategy, Hon. Wahab Alawiye-King, who handed the cheque to Abiodun, said Joshua’s experience demonstrated the importance of recognising and nurturing different forms of talent among young people.

She noted that education should not be viewed solely through the lens of academic performance, but should also encompass the cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains — covering intellectual development, values and emotions, as well as practical skills.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, disclosed that the government was also supporting other deserving young people.

He said 21 students from tertiary institutions had received financial awards, comprising 14 students of Tai Solarin University of Education, six from Babcock University and one from Mountain Top University.

For Joshua, the ₦10 million intervention provides a long-term pathway for his education while allowing him to continue developing the artistic talent that brought him to national attention.

Speaking after the presentation, Joshua thanked Senator Tinubu for recognising and investing in his talent.

He said the gesture showed that young talents could be identified, valued and encouraged, while urging other children to discover their passions, pursue them diligently and continually improve their abilities.

Dear Vows