Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has challenged young Nigerians to rise above mediocrity, embrace hard work, and pursue excellence, warning against the growing culture of impatience and the desire for instant success.

Speaking on Friday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja while receiving the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Youth Wing, Mrs Tinubu urged the nation’s youth to cultivate values such as integrity, perseverance, and contentment, stressing that meaningful achievements are built on dedication and resilience rather than shortcuts.

The First Lady expressed concern over what she described as the tendency among many young people to seek quick results without understanding the importance of patience and personal growth. She encouraged them to trust the process of life and remain focused on building their future through honest efforts.

According to her, many youths are often in a hurry to attain success and fail to appreciate that lasting accomplishments require discipline and persistence. She advised them to avoid comparing themselves with others and instead concentrate on charting their own unique paths to success.

Drawing inspiration from the eagle, Mrs Tinubu said young Nigerians should develop the courage to confront challenges rather than be discouraged by them. She explained that just as an eagle soars above storms, determined individuals can overcome obstacles and emerge stronger when they remain focused on their goals.

“You must develop the mentality of an eagle,” she told the youth leaders. “When an eagle sees a storm, it does not run away from it. Instead, it rises above it. That is the attitude you should adopt in life. Do not desire something simply because someone else has it. Create your own path and pursue your own destiny.”

The First Lady also commended the APC youth leadership for fostering unity and strengthening the party’s structures at the grassroots level. She praised their efforts in mobilising young people and expanding political participation within the ruling party.

She further urged members of the APC Youth Wing to remain worthy ambassadors of the party by engaging constructively with Nigerians and effectively communicating the achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. As key drivers of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, she said the youth have a responsibility to inspire confidence in the future and demonstrate unwavering commitment to national development.

Highlighting the critical role of youth participation in governance and politics, Mrs Tinubu called on party members to remain resilient and committed to building a better future for the country. She stressed that leadership requires sacrifice, consistency, and a genuine desire to serve the people.

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In a gesture aimed at strengthening the operational capacity of the APC Youth Wing, the First Lady presented nine brand-new buses to the organisation to support its outreach programmes, community service initiatives, and political activities across the country.

Earlier, APC National Youth Leader, Hon. Dayo Israel, expressed gratitude to Mrs Tinubu for what he described as a remarkable act of generosity and support for young party members.

He assured the First Lady that the youth wing would continue to champion the policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration while intensifying grassroots mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections and beyond.

According to him, the donation would significantly enhance the organisation’s ability to engage communities, promote government initiatives, and contribute to improving the lives of Nigerians.

Israel pledged the youth wing’s continued loyalty to the Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that the support received from the First Lady had strengthened their capacity to expand their activities nationwide.

In an emotional expression of appreciation, he remarked that many of the youth leaders arrived at the meeting without personal vehicles but were leaving with brand-new buses, describing the development as both inspiring and transformative.

The event underscored the growing role of youth mobilisation within the APC and reinforced the administration’s message that discipline, hard work, and resilience remain essential ingredients for personal success and national progress.