Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, joined nine other First Ladies from around the world Wednesday to address pressing global challenges, including artificial intelligence growth, food security, and youth mental health at the 3rd Annual Global First Ladies Alliance Academy.
The high-level gathering at Columbia University brought together current first ladies from Nigeria, Angola, Armenia, Belize, Guatemala, Iceland, Malawi, Mozambique, Panama, and Sierra Leone, along with several former first ladies.
Speaking at the academy, Senator Tinubu called for innovative solutions to help vulnerable populations in Nigeria, noting her work through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) to champion women and youth development.
“This position is quite challenging. What you do will either complement your husband or be a burden to him. So please do what you can and do it right.
“Don’t be afraid to give your little. That little could be a lifesaver for someone. Be bold to confront your challenges, and that is what we are doing, and we are beginning to see the impact gradually,” Mrs Tinubu told the gathering.
The First Lady urged her counterparts to be bold in confronting challenges, noting that her initiatives are beginning to show a gradual impact across Nigeria.
The academy focused on several critical areas, including mental health and well-being among youth, maternal health, food security, and the rapid growth of artificial intelligence.
Participants shared experiences and discussed collaborative approaches to these common challenges.
Dr Cora Neumann, a Montana State Senator who founded the Global First Ladies Alliance, facilitated the sessions.
“Your ideas, challenges and insights have shaped every element of this experience, and we welcome and expect you to continue shaping it with us.
“Together you are setting the global standard for what it means to be an effective first partner – and collectively, you represent the hopes and needs of millions,” said Neumann.
The alliance founder noted that the participating First Ladies collectively represent the hopes and needs of millions of people worldwide.
The academy, organised in collaboration with Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, is an executive leadership training programme designed to sharpen participants’ focus and provide additional support.
The programme also aims to strengthen leadership skills, enhance participants’ impact and office efficiency, and build a global leadership community among First Ladies.
Senator Tinubu is expected to deliver a special address in the coming days to further highlight her interventions for children, women, and youth in Nigeria.
Other First Ladies attending included Ana Dias Lourenco of Angola, Anna Hakobyan of Armenia, Rossana Briceno of Belize, Lucrecia Peinado of Guatemala, Eliza Reid of Iceland, Monica Chakwera of Malawi, Gueta Chapo of Mozambique, Maricel de Mulino of Panama, and Fatima Maada Bio of Sierra Leone.
The academy will continue through the week with additional sessions focused on developing practical solutions to global challenges affecting vulnerable populations.
