6th April, 2014
Senator Remi Tinubu has donated 20,000 US dollars (N3.2 million) as take-off fund to assist Nigerian students studying in various universities in the United Kingdom.
Tinubu made the donation on Saturday in London at an award ceremony organised by the Association of Nigerian Academics UK (ANAUK).
The lawmaker, who was recognised for her ‘Outstanding Contribution to Education in Nigeria’, stressed the need for the association to set up a fund to assist students with tuition and other challenges.
She said her donation was a take-off fund, and appealed for more support for the association and other bodies. “This award being bestowed on me today will help renew my commitment in youth empowerment, and will inspire others to do more for the improvement of the society.
“I have no doubt that members of ANAUK, and other Nigerians in Diaspora, are in a vantage position to realise the nature of challenges that we need to surmount in order to catch up with the best global practice of development,” she said.
Adedamola Aminu, President ANAUK said the former first lady of Lagos state, embarked on various youth development programmes which had impacted on the lives of many. He listed the girl-child education project, scholarship scheme and the ‘One Day a Governor’ programme, among her legacies.
He also noted her various interventions through the Senate Committee on Education. Aminu called on the Federal Government to engage Nigerian experts abroad in the education sector. “A lot of us benefited from home and we are committed to give back to the society”.
The event was attended by members of the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK and associates of the awardee.