By Celine-Damilola Oyewole
The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has called for collaboration among all classes of people to curb stereotyping, in order to create opportunities and strengthen collective humanity.
Mrs Tinubu gave the advice in Jos, on Tuesday, during the commissioning of the Gender and Public Policy Studies Centre (GaPPS) of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), in Kuru.
The First Lady also donated the sum of N250 million as part of her support to the development of the institute.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that NIPSS named the new centre as Sen. Oluremi Tinubu Gender Centre of Excellence.
Mrs Tinubu said the establishment of the centre represented a bold step towards bringing gender issues to the forefront of every facet of the Nigerian society towards achieving equity.
According to her, the vision of the Centre aligns with one of the key priorities of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which seeks to harness the full potential of all citizens, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, or economic status.
“The objective of this Centre is also in line with Nigeria’s obligations under the National Gender Policy (2006) and the global frameworks to which we subscribe, particularly the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 5 and SDG 16) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
“Furthermore, when women are empowered, the whole of society prospers.
I am pleased that the Centre’s approach includes both men and women, recognising that inclusion must be a shared national agenda.
“Actual progress will come when both genders stand as allies, working together to dismantle stereotypes, open opportunities, and strengthen our collective humanity.
“To the future scholars, policymakers, and leaders who will pass through this Gender Centre, I say: let it stand as a hub of ideas and action, where innovation blends with empathy, and policies are forged with wisdom and compassion,” the First Lady said.
She thanked the leadership of the Institute for naming the centre after her, saying “this project would not have become a reality if not for the foresight of participants of the Senior Executive Course 45 (2024) who conceived, funded, and executed what we are all seeing today.
“I applaud your vision and generosity. This gesture of yours will no doubt leave a lasting legacy on our nation’s policy landscape.
“I pray it will serve as a centre of excellence for gender-focused policy research, strategic engagement, and capacity building, nurturing ideas that advance gender awareness and gender-sensitive policy-making in Nigeria, Africa, and the World.”
Prof. Ayo Omotayo, the Director General, NIPSS appreciated Mrs Tinubu for promoting leadership inclusiveness through the roles she had been playing in the lives of Nigerians.
“The centre will serve as a hub for training, research, and gender advocacy in alignment with our national goal and global submission.
“The centre provided space for reflection, research, training and collaboration among policymakers, academics, civil society actors and women leadership accross Africa.
“Together, this initiative demonstrates the centre’s enduring commitment to advancing gender equity, peace, and sustainable development at national, regional, and global levels, ” Omotayo said.
Sen. Ken Nnamani, the Chairman, Board of Governors, NIPSS, in his remarks, acknowledged that it was a great decision for the centre to be named after the First Lady.
He said he had watched Mrs Tinubu keenly when she was in the Senate and had discovered that she was a woman of noble character.
Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, who also spoke extensively about NIPSS’ contributions to the development of the state, also promised to donate a vehicle to the institute. (NAN)