On Thursday, Nigerian singer David Adeleke, popularly known by his stage name Davido, jokingly asked his friends on Twitter to donate money for his 29th birthday celebration.

“If you know I’ve given you a hit song, send me money,” he joked, sharing his bank details. Within minutes, the account balance moved from zero to millions with donations from folks within and outside Nigeria. From Otedola to Don Jazzy to Obi Cubana, and largely people in the music industry and fans, donations tripped in. Within two days, the account has received more than N180 million, driving such uncommon donation frenzy, from a social media joke.

Another time Nigerians have witnessed such free giving to an individual was in July, when Obi Cubana, Nigeria’s celebrity barman, had his mother’s funeral. It was a show of cash. Bundles of money flew from his friends and well-wishers. And the story was as exciting as it was notorious.

The two cases do not only show the amount of influence social power can wield on people, they also preached the essence of the attitude that made them happen. Obi Cubana was said to have received the donations because of his goodwill, his generosity and willingness to help others. Davido too is said to be of the same breed, but he has taken a different path in using his donations, making a gesture that sets a good precedent for charitable causes in Nigeria.

“Might give all away,” Davido tweeted while on Friday while the donations were still coming. True to his words, he made the big donation announcement on Saturday.

“I wish to express my sincere gratitude to my friends, colleagues, fans, and the public for the generous expression of love in recent days,” he wrote in a statement. “In my usual playful manner, I requested a few days ago that my friends and colleagues send money in celebration of my birthday. The response and outcome exceeded my expectations, as I received about NGN 200,000,000.00 (Two hundred million naira) in less than two days. I truly appreciate everyone who donated hard-earned funds and I am very thankful for your generosity.”

“I have always been passionate about giving back and helping people. In view of this, I’m delighted to announce that all the funds received, totaling NGN 200,000,000.00, (Two hundred million naira) will be donated to orphanages across Nigeria as well as the Paroche foundation. In addition, I will be making a personal donation of NGN 50,000,000.00, (Fifty million naira) bringing the total amount to NGN 250,000,000.00 (Two hundred and fifty million naira),” he added.

While Nigerians have developed the custom of donating to celebrities, even when they are poor, most of the celebrities have not developed the culture of giving back. Last year, Big Brother Naija (BBN) reality TV show fans, using GoFundMe, donated over 30 million naira for their favorite contestant, Erica Nlewedim, who was evicted following her unruly conduct.

Other reality TV show contestants have also received unsolicited donations from fans, amounting to millions of naira. But this has been to the dismay of many Nigerians who believe that the donations should be channeled to charitable causes.

Davido’s gesture has been widely welcomed by many who believe that human needs should be prioritized when it comes to reasons for giving. Instead of funding the lifestyle of celebrities who will largely live flamboyantly with the donations.

Davido said “my goal is to do this fundraising every year to celebrate my birthday and give back to people in need. It is my hope that my friends, fans, colleagues in the industry, and the public will continue to support me as I drive this cause.”

Cases of ailing people, who can’t afford medical care flood Nigeria’s internet space every day, soliciting for help. It is hoped that Davido’s move will inspire others who have more or equal social status to use their influence in like manner, to generate funds for charitable causes in Nigeria.

In a first-of-its-kind move, the Innoson Group has gone into a partnership with the Federal Polytechnic Oko (FPO), with the aim to foster further education for the students of the automaker’s academy and the students and academic staff of the tertiary institution.

In a press release below, signed by Cornel Osigwe, Head of Corporate Communications and Affairs, IVM Innoson Group, the company said the two entities have signed Memorandum of Understanding that will facilitate capacity building for both staff and students.

The management of FPO led by the Rector signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing (IVM) for a beneficial partnership and collaboration between the two parties at Innoson Vehicles headquarters, Nnewi Anambra State.

The signing of an MOU between the two parties will provide effective collaboration in capacity building of staff and students.

Leading the Board and Management of Innoson Vehicles for the signing of the MOU was the Chairman/CEO, Chief Dr. Innocent Chukwuma OFR, and witnessed by the CEO of Innoson Kiara Academy, Mr. Endi Ezengwa. Also present at the event are Mr. Alfred Nwosu and Obinna Chukwuma who are members of the Board of Directors of Innoson Vehicles.

The Rector of Federal Polytechnic Oko Engr. Dr. Francisa U. Nwafulugo signed on behalf of the Institution and was witnessed by the Registrar Mrs. Ifeoma Okoli. The Deputy Rector, Dr. Chris Izuchukwu Onu, and other top management of the institution were also present.

Recall that IVM currently runs an Innovation Enterprise Institution (IEI) under the name INNOSON KIARA Academy (IKA). The institution offers programs leading to the award of the National Innovation Diploma (NID) as well as National Technical Certificates (NTC).

However, it is noteworthy that a gap is created as in other similar institutions that products of IKA do not easily further their educational aspirations to a higher level either through admission into polytechnics or universities.

Many polytechnics and universities in the country have not risen to the challenge of admitting NID holders for further studies to become professionals in their areas of specialization of study.

This partnership and collaboration will see Federal Polytechnic, Oko assist the products of Innoson Kiara Academy by drawing course contents that will identify and address major areas of deficiencies vis-à-vis related National Diploma curricula. These may be administered to the students on graduation to qualify them for the HND program in Federal Polytechnic, Oko.

Alternatively, a bridging program could be instituted after graduation, to cover courses essential to qualify them to enroll for HND in related programs in the polytechnic.

More so with the partnership, Innoson Kiara Academy will be retraining the academic staff and students of FPO. ND students from selected departments will be sent for Industrial Training at IKA.

Nigeria’s ace musician, Davido Adeleke, went on Twitter, asking the people to donate money for his 29th birthday: “If you know I’ve given you a hit song, send me money.” Within hours, many have donated to the bank account he provided. As of last count, he has closed more than N174 million!

One of Nigeria’s biggest singers, David Adeleke, a.k.a Davido, has received over N174m in less than 24 hours after he challenged his friends to send him N1m each ahead of his birthday. The singer turns 29 on Monday. Davido posted his account number on his verified Twitter account on Wednesday.

Some donors include BB Naija’s Nengi, Perruzi, Teni, Phyno, Don Jazzy, Tiwa Savage, Mayokun, Adekunle Gold, Mr Eazi, Zlatan, Cubana Chief Priest, Oyo State lawmaker Akin Alabi, businessman & socialite Emeka Okonkwo aka E-money, Obi Cubana, and Femi Otedola.

People, what is happening here? Can a teacher like me substitute for Davido and get a percentage outcome?  Would you support this teacher? Lol. 

Indeed, our world has changed that one of Nigeria’s most successful musicians can convince people to take loans on apps to make sure he has a great birthday! That is the power of the new age. Salute Davido for building that social capital; he is a brand!

Comment on LinkedIn Feed

The world has not changed because people donated to one of their own, it has always been that way, the only difference here is that social media makes it viral.

What happens when a wealthy man hosts an event, whether birthday, chieftaincy title or a simple get together? Plenty money flows, it’s a network power thing, no surprises. If an unknown person or poor man tries it, he become depressed.

The same brand power also worked in your Tekedia Institute and its constituents, the early believers didn’t congregate because of richness of content or faculties, but rather because of Ndubuisi Ekekwe as a brand, everything draws its power from there.

Again, many of those who donated to Davido equally increased their own social capitals by doing so, think about Davido’s mammoth followers and all the people who will be jostling to read list of donors, they all add up, the donors are not stupid…

There is an intrinsic value for the participant, it has nothing to do with generosity, because if Davido skips your name from list of donors (after donating), you will feel terrible for a long time.

It’s business, those who wail and complain about show of wealth in the midst of poverty do not understand, and they remain miserable.

Game on…

Update: he is turning the donations into a bigger call