London Oluremi Tinubu, a member of the Nigerian Senate has come to the aid of Nigerian students struggling in the United Kingdom by establishing a Hardship Fund into which money will be paid to help Diaspora pupils cope with school fees and accommodation expenses.
Announcing the establishment of the fund at the weekend at a special awards dinner arranged for her by the Association of Nigerian Academics in the UK (Anauk), Mrs. Tinubu said the fund would be used to aid students who come over here for further studies. To kick off the project, Tinubu, who represents Lagos Central Senatorial District, has made an initial contribution of $20,000 to fund.
At the special gala dinner which was held at the Hilton Metropole Hotel, Mrs. Tinubu lauded the achievements of the Nigerian diaspora in the UK. Accompanied by several other senators and members of the House of Representatives, Senator Tinubu said the establishment of the fund is an extension of the work she is doing in Nigeria through her New Era Foundation, which provides opportunities for disadvantaged children.
Senator Tinubu said: “I am very humbled by the kind gesture of the members of Anauk at this reception to celebrate my contribution to education and empowerment in Lagos Central Senatorial District and Lagos State in general. Development in other nations of the world is advancing so rapidly but Nigeria as a nation is still grappling with gross poverty, unemployment, insecurity, corruption, crime and poor infrastructure, while other challenges to development have continued to plague us.
“Wherever you and I stand today, we can be an agent of change and work with others towards actualising the Nigeria of our dreams. This recognition award being bestowed on me today will help renew my commitment and will also inspire others to do more for the improvement of society.”
Dolapo Ajakaiye, Anauk’s social secretary, who read a citation of Senator Tinubu on behalf of the association, said that when the award was first proposed, they visited the New Era Youth Camp in Lagos and were very impressed. She added that Senator Tinubu is one of the few women in Nigeria today who have established sustainable structures that supersede their husband’s tenure while in office.
Ms Ajakaiye said: “We took Senator Tinubu through gruelling questions, to which she answered every single one, not as a politician, who most times fail to take a stand on issues but rather as a passionate educationist, imparting knowledge and truth. She poured out her heart and produced evidence to all our questions where necessary.
“As a woman and academician myself, I was impressed at her depth of passion and knowledge, as she had facts and figures about her initiatives and work on her fingertips. To me, Senator Tinubu is not just a wife but a mother, homemaker, educationist, politician, visionary, inspirational leader, philanthropist and above all a unique individual in her own right.
Anauk president and acting mayor of Lambeth Councillor Adedamola Aminu and the council leader Councillor Lib Peck, later presented the award to Senator Tinubu. Among the prominent diasporans who attended the event include the former mayors of Brent, Enfield, and Waltham Forest, Councillors Michael Adeyeye, Kate Anolue and Anna Mbachu, as well as the current mayor of Lewisham Councillor Obajimi Afefiranye.
Nigerian high commission officials including Prince Taju Adeniyi, the special assistant to the high commissioner and Minister Shina Alege, the head of the consular section were also present. Kenya’s high commissioner was represented by Margaret Lesuuda, the education counsellor, while the chairman of the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK Chief Bimbo Afolayan was also in attendance.
Several of the other Nigerian legislators who were present promised to contribute to the fund when they got back home and consulted their constituents. Among the speakers on the night was University of Cambridge post-graduate student Ezenagu Alexander, who was a beneficiary of Senator Tinubu’s scholarship, which saw him through his undergraduate studies in Nigeria.
