REMI TINUBU: The Heart That Gives

Beyond having kids and naturally loving them, what other thing gives you that burning desire to do what you do for the youth?
Professionally being a teacher, you have to really mould lives. The youth of any society is the most important population to make that society grow. If we don't have capable youth we don't have a future. That's why interest in the youth is very important to me. Once our youth are wellgrounded, then we know even if we are no longer there, development will sustain itself and the world too will be there, hopefully. We are not too sure; we are just passing through and thinking that we are handing over to capable children. I would say this is what drives me.

From what you do and what you've said severally, you seem to share some clear conviction with Bill Clinton on giving back to society?
I read his book, Giving and I thought that applied to me. The book really encouraged and inspired me. It talks about how each of us can change the world through our giving. After reading a little of the book, I discovered that he said all of us can give something. We can give time, we can give money, and we can even give skills. From that point I concluded that everybody had something to give. If you don't have money, you have love to give. Some people are in hospitals without anyone visiting them for days or months. You can go visit and read them a book. That may mean changing somebody's life for the better, and maybe extend somebody's life.

Do you think our society is developed enough for that spirit of giving?
We are not! So what do we really need to do? We are at an age and time now when everyone is so greedy, selfish, and very unthankful. One of the greatest books I enjoyed reading is the Holy Bible; there's hardly anything that's not reflected in it.
There's a scripture I read that 'we are in perilous time'. And I hear and see these days news around us on CNN of 'the earth in peril'. How are we sure they are not even reading the Bible and just taking from the wisdom of old that has been there and which was supposed to be guiding us from the beginning. We know we are in perilous time, and when we look at children these days, they are so unthankful. Because we are in a time when everything is available; they ask us and we give them and they think is their right. I remember telling my children that as long as you are in school, we'll give you everything but later you have to start working and taking care of yourself. We are not going to take care of you forever; you would now learn how to take care of us.

You've been preaching the sermon of giving and been living it for years now, what has been your experience working with Nigerians. What is their reaction to your disposition towards them?
I thank God for where I am right now and I also thank God that my husband was once governor of a very popular state in Nigeria, Lagos State. I was able to earn whatever respect I get from people and through that experience I think people now know me and, I believe, could trust me when I share my ideas with them and ask for their support. We also are privileged to have friends who are in comfortable places; I could dine and wine with people of affluence through this project. But people who are not our friends per se, I could still stop them and ask them to sponsor other things apart from me. And that's why it doesn't have to be all about the New Era Foundation alone it has to be the need that is around me.
I remember when the need arose in Liberia that we donated a school there. So it depends on where the need is. To me the world is like a big football playing field. I'm always bored sitting in just one single place; I want to just do whatever I can do to make humanity and life better.