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.

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.

Rotary District 9112 has opened early-bird registration for the 2026 Rotary Day Celebration in Lagos. Fees run N25,000 until February 28, 2026

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