Nigeria’s First Lady Oluremi Tinubu unveils Intensive Care unit, other notable projects in Kwara

Nigerian First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday in Kwara State, inaugurated the ICT Community Centre built by the NITDA in collaboration with the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), a foundation of the First Lady.

The First Lady also inaugurated an ultra-modern Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Dr Amuda Aluko Ward, two significant projects of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of the state lined up for formal unveiling on the day.

Tinubu, who is on a three-day visit to North Central region, arrived at the General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport around 10:45a.m in accompany of Vice President’s wife Nana Shettima, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and his wife Amb. Olufolake Abdulrazaq; Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma; First Ladies from across the country; federal and state parliamentarians; cabinet members; and party elders.

According to a statement by Rafiu Ajakaye, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, the First Lady will also spend the next two days unveiling or conducting the groundbreaking ceremony for some other projects. Listed on the itinerary is the Emir Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari Flyover, Gen. Tunde Idiagbon Flyover, the rescheduled groundbreaking of the Oluremi Tinubu Hospital, a tour of a few other iconic projects of the Governor, such as the Innovation Hub; Visual Arts Centre; and the Garment Factory — all reputed to be the best of their kinds in the country.

Speaking at the inauguration of the ICT project, Senator Tinubu commended Governor AbdulRazaq and his wife for their dedication to the success of the ICT Centre, which she noted would greatly benefit youth and women.

She said, “I have been informed that these centres have greatly benefited our youth, especially women and girls, by providing invaluable opportunities for growth and empowerment. I am glad to hear about the success stories and the opportunities these centres afford members of these various communities that have benefitted from this intervention.”

“The knowledge of ICT serves as a significant tool to empower communities, especially women, to break traditional barriers and access new opportunities by equipping themselves with ICT skills.

“So far, NITDA has constructed four (4) Community ICT Centres in total. This centre we are commissioning today is the second, while the Benue and Oyo centres are ready to be commissioned soon.

“Other Digital Economy Centres have also been fully equipped with computers and other ICT materials in five (5) States, namely Jigawa, Ebonyi, Cross River, Oyo, Niger, and the Federal Capital Territory.

“Ten (10) additional Digital Economy Centres in Abia, Edo, Delta, Ondo, Kano, Katsina, Lagos, Nasarawa, Yobe, and Zamfara are also being fully equipped with ICT materials and will be ready for commissioning soon.”

On his part, Governor AbdulRazaq appreciated President Tinubu and the First Lady for what he calls an impactful initiative, saying the ICT project is not just an investment in infrastructure but a powerful statement about the essential role of technology in our survival and progress in the digital era.

AbdulRazaq said, “Technology is here to stay, and the only path forward is to aggressively invest in the skills and infrastructure that will secure a prosperous future for our people.”

“As we commission this ICT Community Centre today, I extend our heartfelt appreciation to Her Excellency and the Renewed Hope Initiative for this remarkable investment in our community and youth.”

He also commended the unwavering support of the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, and the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, towards realising the set objectives.

Also speaking at the inauguration, the wife of the governor, Ambassador Olufolake AbdulRazaq, said the new edifice speaks to the many engagements and partnerships of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to adequately support Nigerians while pursuing their goals and seeking to improve their means of livelihood.

She enjoined the host school and users alike to protect the facility and take full advantage of its services towards developing themselves and promoting positive causes.

“While this milestone will continue to up the status of women, youths and other users of the facility, it is also creating pathways into making Nigeria a digitally empowered Nation as well as fostering a technology-enabled equitable future for all Nigerians,” she said.

DG NITDA, Inuwa, said the project further attests to the President’s commitment to harnessing the potential of digital innovation to drive national prosperity and inclusivity.

The First Lady later paid homage to the palace of the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of State Traditional Council Mai-Martaba, Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, where she thanked the traditional ruler for his support for the President over the years and his support for the Governor.

Later today (Tuesday), the First Lady is expected to attend a state dinner organised in her honour by the state government at the Flower Garden — now a lush-green recreational facility that Governor Abdulrazaq had recently resuscitated after decades of being a hideout of criminal activities.