The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has urged the youth to remain positively focused and to set their minds on creative pursuits.
She made these remarks during a visit to the Yunus Emre Institute in Maitama, Abuja, following an invitation from the First Lady of the Republic of Turkey, Mrs. Emine Erdogan.
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.
“This center 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 center, expressed her delight at the level of creativity while admonishing them to express more positivity in their creative works.
She also visited a classroom of young children from an orphanage who are receiving 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”.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu expressed her appreciation to the First Lady of the Republic of Turkey, 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 center.
“I appreciate the First Lady for all the work she is doing for Africa and also for identifying Africa as the rising sun and light”.
Earlier, the Ambassador to Turkey in Nigeria, Hidayet Bayraktar while welcoming the First Lady to the center noted the collaborative efforts between the two nations especially in the area of cultural exchange and education.
“Our relations have been growing especially in economic issues. We have very good political relations as well. One of the aspects of these relations is of course the cultural aspects of these two countries. One of the aims of this Institute is that the Nigerian students that are learning Turkish will have the opportunity of working in Turkish companies, when they come to establish here and even when they go to Turkey”.
The Ambassador expressed optimism of a more robust relation between the countries.
Bello Wakili
