Prayers and applause rang out across the country on Saturday for music star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido following his donation of N250million to orphans.
Some labelled him G.O.A.T (Greatest of All Time) on social media for his rare act of generosity.
As of 4.30 pm on Saturday his statement announcing the donation had notched up over 70,000 likes on Twitter while over 36,000 others had shared it.
The Indaboski @adibe_vic said: “Davido is the GOAT… Anybody that takes care of the less-privileged is my guy. It’s baddest all the way man,” while MYDETOTHEWORLD simply wrote G.O.A.T.
Simu Jr Edy @nkureddy said: “Now we are talking! Respect to this brother @davido. This is where all funds are going”; while Dami@Enitanolam remarked: “@davido baba this one choke walahi. Sincerely you don break record that ur generation will forever be remembered for.Kai se prayer everywhere 4u.God bless you greatly.”
Two hundred million Naira of the amount came from Davido’s friends who responded to his November 19 demand of N1million each from them to celebrate his birthday while the music star topped it with N50million from his own pocket.
In a statement on Instagram Davido expressed “sincere gratitude to my colleagues, fans and the public for their generous gift in recent days.”
He added: “In my usual playful manner, I requested few days ago that my friends, colleagues to send me money in celebration of my birthday.
Nigeria News: Ex-Ekiti Senator Gbenga Aluko slumps, dies in Abuja
“The response and outcome exceeded my expectation as I received N200 million in less than two days.
“I am thankful for your generosity”.
“In view of this, I announce that all the funds totalling N200 million be donated to orphanages in the country as well as Paroche Foundation.
“In addition, I will make a donation of N50 million to make it N250 million.”
He named a five-man committee to distribute the funds to beneficiaries.
Heading the committee is Mrs Titi Adebayo while other members are Prof Jonathan Nwosu (Secretary) Prof Yohanna Asabe, Dr Samuel Oyalabu and Prof Uloma Onuoha.
The committee will compile the list of the orphanage homes in the country and “determine the number of children and their needs in each orphanage and divide the fund accordingly.
“The committee will also determine the portion of the money to be given to Paroche Foundation,” he said.
For the sake of transparency, he said, the committee would make public the names of the beneficiaries and how much each will receive.
The beneficiaries and their verified account details are to be submitted to Wema Bank which will, in turn, credit each beneficiary’s accounts.
Adeleke stressed that it was his desire to do fundraising every year to celebrate his birthday as a means of giving back to people in need.
He hoped friends, fans and colleagues in the industry “will continue to support me as I drive this cause.”
