At painting exhibition, First Lady urges youths to believe in themselves
First Lady of Nigeria, HE Senator Oluremi Tinubu (middle) flanked on the left by the Director of the Yunus Emre Institute, Abuja, Musa Erbas, on the right by Director of culture, Mrs Akande and other artists during the visit of the First Lady to the Yunus Emre Institute, Abuja on Tuesday 23rd July, 2024.
First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has called on youths to be focused positively and set their minds on creative things.
She was speaking when she paid a visit to the Yunus Emre Institute, Maitama, Abuja on the invitation of the First Lady of the Republic of Turkey, Mrs Emine Erdogan.
According to a statementby her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi, she urged young artists to believe in themselves and dream big.
The Institute, which was established by the Turkish Government, is to train Nigerians in creative arts and other aspects of cultural exchange between the two countries.
Mrs. Tinubu praised the institute for providing opportunities for artists to actualize their dreams, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and humility.
“This centre provides great opportunities for you to live your dreams as artists. You are not only learning about Turkey but also actualizing your dreams.
“Believe in what you are doing and as long as you set your mind to it, you will succeed. Dream big, but do not despise the days of humble beginnings,” she said.
The First Lady, who inspected some of the paintings exhibited by the Female Nigerian artists at the centre, expressed delight at the level of creativity while admonishing them to express more positivity in their creative works.
She also was in the classroom of some of little children from an orphanage who are going through formal education courtesy of the Turkish Embassy in Nigeria.
“I see this as a step towards granting our children scholarships just as we have with the Republic of Belarus. Turkish citizens here should also learn some of our languages,” she said.
Mrs Tinubu expressed appreciation to Mrs Emine Erdoğan, not only for her presence at the recently concluded OIC High-Level Seminar on Cancer Awareness hosted by Nigeria but also for extending an invitation for her to visit the centre.
