David Adeleke, popularly known by his stage as Davido, has stated that he is more intrigued by fans who sent him small amounts of money because it might be all they have. “It wasn’t even about the millions of naira that I was posting,” Davido stated in a video shared on his Instagram page, “but I was amazed that people were sending N5000, N2000, N3000, N500, and even N100.” Despite the fact that the money was all they had, they gave it to me out of love for me and what I stand for.
“I would like to say a big thank you to everyone, especially because I didn’t plan this. I was just on my balcony at the hotel in Dubai (United Arab Emirates), and I jokingly posted my account number, asking my friends to donate for my birthday. I initially wanted to ask just close friends but I ended up posting it online and the love that people have shown me is unbelievable. I used to question myself if it is worth it to be a good person. But, these past few days have shown me that it is not by mouth and I appreciate it. A lot of people have called me, telling me to keep the money raised to myself and listen to no one. I wouldn’t say that I do not need the money but I think some people need it more than I do. At the moment, I have gathered about N200m and I have decided to donate all the money to orphanages. I will also add N50m from my purse to the N200m, which makes it N250m to be donated.”
In a letter posted on his Instagram page, the singer stated that he would constitute a committee that would oversee the disbursement of the funds to orphanages across the country.
The letter reads in part, “I have always been passionate about giving back and helping people. In view of this, I am delighted to announce that all the funds received but a personal donation of N50m will be donated to orphanages across Nigeria as well as the Paroche Foundation.
Davido formed a five-person disbursement committee to oversee the disbursement of funds to beneficiaries. Mrs Titi Adebayo (Chairman), Prof Jonathan Nwosu (Secretary), Prof Yahana Asabe of the Northern Nigeria Seventh Day Adventist Union Conference, Pastor (Dr) Oyalabu of Spring Time Development Foundation, and Prof Uloma Onuoha are members of the committee.”
The pop artist also urged his colleagues in the entertainment industry to join him in raising at least a billion naira each year to help the less fortunate. “Let us all put our egos and industry issues aside and help our people,” he urged, “since it doesn’t cost us anything.” It would be amazing if we could do this, and I’d like it to become a yearly tradition for me and my colleagues to donate and help people to celebrate my birthday.
Ada Peter
