Oluremi Tinubu fulfils N10m education pledge to 12-year-old artist

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

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The ₦10 million Education Development Trust Fund, presented to Joshua through the Ogun State Government, is to support his education through the tertiary level.

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

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Impressed by his work, Senator Tinubu invited the young artist to the podium and pledged ₦10 million towards his education.

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Presenting the cheque on behalf of the First Lady, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, described the fulfilment of the pledge as a demonstration that “a promise made is a promise kept.”

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In a statement on Friday, Abiodun said, “This gesture goes beyond the financial value of the donation, it as an investment in a young Nigerian whose talent had been identified and encouraged.

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“Joshua must be commended for his artistic ability and determination to showcase his work, other young people too.must identify, develop and promote their God-given talents.

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“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.

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

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The governor recalled that he had personally intervened in Joshua’s education three years ago after seeing one of his paintings during an exhibition at his office.

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According to Abiodun, further interaction with the young artist revealed that he was still in primary school, prompting him to provide a scholarship to take Joshua through primary and secondary education.

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

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

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Abiodun expressed appreciation to the First Lady for the gesture, describing her as a promise keeper and a strong supporter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

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He disclosed that an account had been opened specifically to ensure that the ₦10 million fund was preserved for Joshua’s educational needs.

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

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The governor also congratulated Joshua’s parents, urging them to continue supporting their son and encouraging the young artist to remain focused and further develop his talent.

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Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the First Lady on Strategy, Hon. Wahab Alawiye-King, who handed over the cheque to Governor Abiodun, said Joshua’s story underscored the need for education to recognise and nurture different forms of talent.

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He explained that education was not limited to academic performance but encompassed the cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains, covering intellectual development, values and emotions, as well as practical skills.

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Speaking after receiving the support, Joshua thanked Senator Tinubu for recognising and investing in his talent, saying the gesture demonstrated that young talents could be seen, valued and encouraged.

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He urged other children to identify their passions, pursue them diligently and continually work to improve their talents.

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