Philanthropists are people that are majorly concerned about the welfare of other people and are willing to render help to them in any capacity possible regardless of their relationship with these persons. Nigeria is blessed with handful of these God-sent people.
Nigeria is a blessed country with a lot of billionaires but only a few of these rich men are genuinely concerned about the welfare and living structure of other Nigerians.
A particular dictionary simply defines philanthropy as charitable giving to human causes on a large scale. Philanthropy must be more than just a charitable donation; it is an effort undertaken by an individual or organization based on an altruistic desire to improve human welfare. Wealthy individuals sometimes establish foundations to facilitate their philanthropic efforts.
We take a look at 5 of Nigerian Billionaires who are very much concerned about helping their compatriots.
1. Iya Adura
London based white garment church founder, Reverend Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi is always in the news for her philanthropic gesture.
Despite not extorting from worship members, God has blessed her to an height of a billionaire, she is being blessed as she blesses others. She deserves more than a private jet which is believed that God will bless her with, and could be enlisted among Nigerian private jet owners soon.
Veteran Yoruba actor Dayo Akinpelu, popularly known as Alabi Yellow, recently received monetary help of Ten million Naira from Iya Adura after the 62-year-old actor was battling for his life as a result of a chronic illness.
Another Nigerian who has benefited from her charity is Baba Suwe. Sick Nigerian actor Baba Suwe also N10 million for his medical treatment.
Iya Adura as many prefer to call her gifted a sum of N5m to a Redeemed pastor at Genesis Global Parish, an outreach of Celestial Church of Christ in Alagbado, Lagos, where she went as a guest minister.
She is the Founder and owner of THE ESTHER AJAYI FOUNDATION and their mission is to touch over 1 million lives in 12 months.
There is no gainsaying the pride of place Reverend Esther Abimbola Ajayi occupies in Nigeria’s league of extraordinary titans. Like a lady with a lamp, she stands in the great history of the land, embodying a noble type of valour and heroic womanhood.
2. Femi Otedola
Sir Otedola refused to be carried away by his success later in life. With his humble beginning always in his consciousness, he has since 1985, committed his resources to the Michael Otedola University Scholarship Awards Foundation for indigent students of Epe Division in particular and Lagos State in general.
Since inception, over three hundred indigent students have benefited from the scheme to become Lawyers, Engineers and Doctors etc. who are now useful to themselves and the society.
Most of them would readily tell whoever cares to listen that Sir Otedola was the angel that God sent to them to give meaning to their lives. Just think about many prospective professionals who are now wasting away in different parts of the country because they couldn’t fulfill their dreams as a result of poverty, then you will appreciate an individual who commits his resources to the training of other peoples’ children.
Recently, The Billionaire mogul fulfilled his promise of $50,000 to ailing football legend Christian Chukwu.
The N18,000,000 ($50,000) is to bankroll the medical treatment of former Eagles captain and later coach in London (The United Kingdom) and it was presented in Enugu by Philip Akinola, the chief operating officer of Zenon Petroleum & Gas Ltd.
3. Tony Elumelu
For young entrepreneurs, Tony Elumelu remains the most impactful philanthropist, not just for Nigerians, but the entire Africa.
Through his foundation TEEP, Tony Elumelu has pledged to give away $100 million dollars (That’s about N40 Billion Naira in today’s exchange rate ) over a period of 10 years, with a target to empower 10,000 youths.
Tony Elumelu is worth $700 Million dollars, so giving away $100 million in his prime, an amount approx 14% of his net worth is very commendable. Joining TEEP is based on a selection process. Every young entrepreneur can apply.
Recently, Elumelu Pledges N500 Million EXCLUSIVELY to create an entrepreneurship programme to indigenes of delta State. He made the commitment after presenting 50 beneficiaries of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
4. Davido aka Omo Baba Olowo
The Omo Baba Olowo star is never shy to revel in his fame and ’30 billion’ bank account. But he doesn’t enjoy alone as fans have attested to his acts of generosity on social media.
On one remarkable occasion, Davido gifted an Instagram fan, Jide Sanyaolu, a token of N1 million when he needed money to return to school. Wow! that was more than enough to cover his tuition fees for the entire semesters.
To access Davido’s philantropism, random people are picked on social media at different times.
A recent act that went viral was the cash gift of N1 million to a random Fan identified as Deborah. She was given N500, 000 cash and the balance was tarnsferred into her sister’s account.
5. Funso Alakija Folorunso
Funso Alakija Folorunso is the only Billionaire female philanthropist on the list but not the least in terms of success.
She is ranked by Forbes as the world’s richest African woman and Nigeria’s first female billionaire.
Her net worth is more than $2.5 billion and her recent motto is “as much of my life as I could to encourage people, to encourage others to get to where they should be, where they want to be.”
As a woman, it is not easy to reach the height of success as Funso did. But it is even harder to lead the life of philanthropist and manage your own business in the same time.
Funso focuses on helping primarily women and young people. Her charity foundation is called the Rose of Sharon Foundation (ROSF) and its main goal is to help widows and orphans, through creating a common network. Alakija, being the CEO of the Rose of Sharon Group, has helped more than 2,751 widows and 963 widows’ children.
These days, her foundation’s next aim is to help set up some schools in those areas in Nigeria, where the women struggle to combine the work and studies. Alakija believes in the success of this idea, saying: “it’s a land flowing with opportunities, land flowing with milk and honey.
It has its challenges, its faults, but Rome wasn’t built in a day and we all have to come together to build our nation.”
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