As the Federal Government of Nigeria and States government are fighting to contain the impact of the global pandemic COVID-19 oil and gas sector, the largest contributor to the economy has also risen to the occasion in an initiative spearheaded by the NNPC. In a television programme interview on Monday, April 6 the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, said “The coronavirus pandemic is a global issue; as a country, we are not insulated from it as already seen by the growing number of people affected by the virus. The first thing that needs to be resolved is the health of our countrymen, this is a difficult time for the country, and no Government on its own can resolve all the issues the pandemic has thrown at us. This industry is one that clearly benefits from the country, we contribute to the growth and development of the country and so we must come together to support the country.”
The GMD spoke to the first leg of the intervention which saw Upstream players commit N11.4bn ($30million) to be collected in kind and handed over to the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 to aid both the Federal and State Governments in their fight to contain the spread of the coronavirus. According to the NNPC boss, 33 Upstream companies made the contributions including indigenous companies such as Oando, Aiteo, Seplat, Shoreline, Amni International Petroleum, Eroton Exploration and Production as well as International Oil Companies like Eni, Total, Shell and Chevron. He went on to explain that the contributions from sector players had grown to N21bn and continues to grow as a result of Downstream and Service players joining the partnership.
These contributions will support three thematic areas; the provision of medical consumables such as face masks and testing kits among others, the deployment of logistics and in-patient support systems such as ventilators and the delivery of temporary isolation medical centres and permanent medical infrastructure for use during this period and after the pandemic. The GMD indicated that 60% of the resources will go towards the third thematic area – the delivery of permanent medical infrastructure across the country, seen as a long term intervention to upgrade the country’s healthcare facilities but with immediate visibility and impact.
Scaling solutions rapidly to address what could potentially become a national crisis requires significant investment, innovation and collaboration. In this regard the individual indigenous companies have gone one step further to deploy additional initiatives to support the containment of the coronavirus; some with Nigeria’s peculiarities in mind.
The sector has made commendable efforts in the area of medical relief. Seplat Petroleum and Waltersmith, have donated some medical supplies and equipment to the Edo State Government, including masks, temperature guns, motorised sprayers and other personal protective equipment. OVH Energy (an Oando licensee) and Aiteo have also made contributions to the Government’s efforts by way of the donation of ambulances whilst MRS donated test kits, medical overalls and ambulances. Other companies like Matrix Energy made financial contributions towards the procurement of necessary medical equipment.
Hinged on their belief that no one should be left behind or uninformed about the virus and measures to curtail its spread, Oando recently launched a new programme that enables its employees, also known as the Humans of Oando as well as their families and friends, to support awareness on the pandemic and preventive measures to be adopted by the general public. To this end, they have recorded and disseminated short video messages of themselves in different Nigerian languages to ensure every Nigerian is educated in a language they can easily understand. With mobile phone penetration in Nigeria over 85%, the company is actively pushing the videos on mobile platforms to ensure it reaches its intended audience of the masses. Oando has also spread a message of kindness via a video, encouraging people to look into their communities and their direct sphere of influence, and show kindness to those who need it the most, reinforcing their belief that continued small contributions will in the long term create a huge impact.
It is encouraging to see the indigenous oil and gas companies playing such an integral role in all facets of containing the spread of the viruses, from education to actual treatment reinforcing a global phenomenon of collaboration to solve the issues that the pandemic has unexpectedly thrown at all of us.
This was resounded by the GMD when he spoke to the fact that today indigenous companies make a significant part of our production contributions are growing steadily, most evident over the last 10 years via the purchase of divested assets from the IOCs and that the future of the oil and gas sector is in these indigenous companies.
“This is the hallmark of good corporate citizenship which the oil and gas industry is known for. We remain accountable to Nigerians and will continue to provide details of what has been collected, how it’s distributed and where it’s being delivered to.” The GMD added.
The founder of the Habeeb Okunola Foundation, High Chief Dr. Habeeb Olalekan Okunola MON, OFR, has once again demonstrated his dedication to the welfare of the underprivileged. On March 30, 2026, he played host to a group of talented visually impaired students across tertiary institutions in Nigeria whom he is currently covering their tuition fees at the head office of CINI Holdings in Ikoyi, Lagos.
During the gathering, Okunola reaffirmed his commitment to using his God-given resources to uplift humanity through his foundation. According to him, true wealth is proven through empowerment, and supporting the education of visually impaired students ensures that knowledge remains accessible regardless of one’s circumstances.
Addressing the students directly, he said: “I am delighted to host you. I want you to know that my foundation will continue to cover your school fees and provide monthly stipends for your upkeep. Your disability does not diminish your right to education. With your talents, education becomes a platform to showcase your abilities. I am excited that instead of taking to the streets to engage in nefarious activities or begging, you have chosen to do something meaningful and sharpen your talents. Today is not just about support; it is about belief. We see you. We hear you. And we believe in your strength, your talent, and your future. Life may not always be easy. You may face moments where people doubt you or where the path feels difficult. But we want you to remember this: you are not alone. You matter. And you are capable of achieving more than you can even imagine right now.”
He further emphasized that he remains fully committed to consistently covering their tuition fees many of the students are enrolled in various tertiary institutions across the country while also ensuring their overall welfare.
“This support is not just financial,” he added. “It is a promise. A promise that for the rest of this year and beyond, you have the Habeeb Okunola Foundation standing with you, cheering you on, and investing in your journey. Use this opportunity well. Keep learning. Keep pushing. Keep believing in yourself, even on the hard days. One day, when you rise, when you succeed, remember to lift others just as you are being lifted today. We are proud of you. And we are excited to see all that you will become.”
Also present at the event was the founder of the Makemee Elegant Foundation, Mrs. Kehinde Adelaja, who expressed her gratitude to Chief Okunola for covering the students’ school fees and attending to their needs. She noted that if more wealthy individuals took on such responsibilities, Nigeria would be a better place.
“I am excited that you took time to host and dine with them,” she said. “This goes a long way in restoring hope. They did not choose to be in this situation, but seeing someone like you embrace them with love and care is rare. They deeply appreciate your kind gesture.”
During a lunch session held at his office, Chief Okunola further reiterated that philanthropy remains a core part of his lifestyle. He pledged to continue setting aside a portion of his business earnings to impact lives and bring relief to the downtrodden.
Nigerian street gospel minister Testimony Jaga has once again shown that his message goes beyond music, turning his recent birthday into a powerful outreach across multiple communities in Lagos.
To celebrate this day, Jaga took his Street Gospel Movement to the grassroots, reaching out to communities, vulnerable groups, and institutions with food, support, and words of encouragement.
The outreach covered several locations, including Oshokoya Community in Ketu, Oridilu Community in Ajegunle, Triple Passion Home Initiative (Optima), an orphanage home, Orile Moshalasi in Alagbado, Idiagbon Street (College Road, Ogba), Agege Pen Cinema, Ifelodun Street in Iju Ishaga, Odo Ogbe in Oniwaya, and Anifowoshe Community in Ikeja.
In a particularly notable stop, Testimony Jaga and his team also visited the National Association of Visually Impaired Students (UNILAG Chapter), where they shared resources and uplifted students, reinforcing his commitment to inclusivity and compassion.
The widespread outreach reflects the core of Testimony Jaga’s ministry—meeting people where they are and using every opportunity to spread hope. For him, the birthday was not just about marking another year, but about making a tangible impact in communities that often go unnoticed.
Coinciding with this act of service is the release of his new single, “Da Ti E Mo,” featuring Ola Best and Mike Abdul. The track blends vibrant street gospel energy with contemporary sounds, continuing the signature style that has made Testimony Jaga a standout voice in Nigeria’s gospel scene.
The song serves as both a celebration and a message mirroring the same spirit of gratitude, faith, and outreach that defined his birthday activities. Known for his energetic delivery and relatable storytelling, Jaga uses “Da Ti E Mo” to connect deeply with listeners while reinforcing his identity as a voice for the streets.
For fans and observers alike, this moment captures the essence of Testimony Jaga: an artist whose life, music, and mission are tightly woven together. His birthday outreach was not just an event; it was a reflection of purpose, proving once again that his impact extends far beyond the stage.
In a nation where access to quality education often hangs delicately between aspiration and affordability, philanthropist and businessman Nasiru Haladu Danu has once again stepped forward—not in search of applause, but driven by an enduring commitment to humanity. For the Sardaunar Dutse, philanthropy is not a gesture; it is a way of life, deeply woven into his identity.
Today, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, that compassion found powerful expression in Jigawa State as the Nasiru Haladu Danu Foundation officially launched a scholarship scheme for over 100 indigent students drawn from the state’s five emirates. It was not just the unveiling of a programme, but the ignition of hope for families whose dreams have long been constrained by financial limitations.
The colourful ceremony, held at the prestigious Nuhu Muhammad Sanusi Auditorium within Federal University Dutse, brought together academia, traditional institutions, and community leaders in a rare convergence of purpose. Leading the academic delegation was the Vice Chancellor, Ahmad Muhammad Gumel, alongside the Registrar, Abubakar Mijinyawa—both bearing witness to what many described as a defining intervention in the state’s educational journey.
At the heart of it all stood Danu, dignified yet deeply passionate, as he reaffirmed his belief in education as the cornerstone of any thriving society. His words carried both conviction and vision.
“Education is the bedrock of any prosperous society,” he declared. “Today we support these hundred students, but tomorrow, we intend to cast our nets wider.”
True to his forward-thinking philosophy, he unveiled plans to extend the initiative to primary school pupils—an ambitious move aimed at nurturing excellence from the earliest stages and ensuring a seamless educational progression.
The event also enjoyed the endorsement of the traditional institution, a testament to its cultural and societal significance. Muhammad Hamim Nuhu Sanusi, though unavoidably absent, was ably represented by a distinguished delegation led by the Chiroman Dutse, Bashir Nuhu Sanusi.
The gathering sparkled with the presence of eminent personalities, including Bashir M. Dalhatu, Mustapha Aminu, Adamu Aliyu Kiyawa, Wada Alhaji, Aliyu Ibrahim, and Aminu Sani Musa—each lending weight and prestige to the occasion.
Coordinating the initiative on ground was the foundation’s Jigawa State Coordinator, Nasiru Sani Musa, who ensured the seamless rollout of a programme designed to cover tuition and essential learning materials for its beneficiaries.
Beyond the ceremony’s elegance and high-profile attendance lies a deeper narrative—one of impact. Across communities, the initiative has been hailed as a timely lifeline, easing financial burdens on families while rekindling belief in the transformative power of education.
For Danu, however, this is only the beginning. And if his track record is anything to go by, the ripple effects of this gesture will travel far beyond the classrooms of Jigawa—shaping futures, restoring dignity, and quietly redefining what it means to give.