The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has joined her counterparts worldwide in advocating youth support and empowerment through promotion of initiatives.

Mrs Tinubu, in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by her Media Assistant, Busola Kukoyi, said this at the ongoing 3rd Annual Global First Partners Academy in New York.

She said there must be a global resolve to shape the future now by promoting initiatives that support the youth and their aspirations.

Mrs Tinubu while speaking on the theme, “First Partners Role in the World; Preparing the Youth for the Future,’’ said rather than wait for the future to happen, there must be concerted efforts to shape it in a positive way.

She stated, “Across continents, we face a common challenge of a rapidly evolving global landscape. Whether in Lagos, London, or Los Angeles, the future is being shaped by technology, innovation, climate change, migration, and new economic paradigms.

“As first partners, we occupy a unique space: we are non-partisan influencers, public advocates, and maternal figures in our national and global communities. With this role comes an opportunity and a moral obligation to lead. I have seen first-hand how building mental capacity, reshaping mind-sets, and nurturing self-belief can transform lives. As a lifelong educator, my experience has made me realise that our youth are creative, innovative, hardworking and resilient. We just need to engage them positively, believe in them and create a conducive environment for them to thrive.”

Mrs Tinubu emphasised that the first step towards building a sustainable future starts with acknowledging the potential of youths and backing their aspirations.

According to her, the main thrust of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and subsequently alongside her Renewed Hope Initiative has mapped out strategic initiatives to help the nation’s youth.

“We cannot wait for the future to happen; we must shape it now. As Abraham Lincoln said, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” This principle continues to guide my every decision. I firmly believe that no problem is insurmountable, if we do the needful. Preparing the youth for the future also means meeting them where they are, in the digital space, in technology, creative industries and in conversations about climate action and governance.

“As adults, we have a lot of catching up to do. We have to build bridges to engage our youth through scholarships, internships, mentorships, and programmes that foster civic participation and public service,’ she said.

The first lady added that as maternal figures in national and global communities, all first ladies must leverage their unique positions to seek partnerships that provide holistic solutions to issues affecting children, women and youths.

(NAN)