A Musician and an American film actor, Umar Usman, alias Sojaboy, has established a charity foundation and distributed educational materials and other supports to the less privileged students in Sokoto state.
Launching the foundation on Tuesday in Sokoto, Usman said he assumed himself privileged and deemed if fit to consider the plights of other vulnerable children in the society.
He said that as an indigene, he grew up as a less privileged child from a humble background who went through different forms of struggles to earn a living.
According to him, the foundation’s intention is to support the less privileged persons, especially children in communities, to reciprocate Almighty for successes achieved in life.
“I started in some schools and provided cartons of chalk, exercise books, text books, school uniforms, food items, detergents and cash as support,’’ he said.
The actor said that the targeted beneficiaries include orphans, displaced persons, indigent students and others.
He urged other wealthy Nigerians to support the less privileged in the society, stressing that some people needed small assistance such as uniforms, books, and food to enroll their children in schools.
Usman said that the foundation’s support would be extended to other areas such as Kebbi and Zamfara states, noting that foreign partners would also be invited to attract more support for the activities of the foundation.
The Foundation’s Secretary, Malam Faruk Yusuf, said that the effort of the founder of the foundation is to support his community, having grown up a less privileged child.
Yusuf said the foundation also plans to carry out business empowerment training, skills acquisitions, schools enrolment drive and others livelihood support in its activities.
According to him, the activities have started yielding positive impacts in recognition of the present situation as a result of security challenges.
A popular Islamic Scholar, Dr Jabir Maihula, described the activities of the foundation as beneficial to human beings which is in line with religious provisions.
Maihula enjoined people to use their wealth in assisting people in need and other vulnerable persons in the society.
Alhaji Mustapha Shehu, the Chairman of the Sokoto South Local Government Area, commended Usman for the effort and the choice of the local government as the first beneficiary of the gesture.
The Director, Social Mobilization of Sokoto State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Alhaji Kabiru Aliyu, commended the foundation for recognising education in its activities.
Aliyu described education as pillar of life and best empowerment that can uplift peoples’ well-being and urged other wealthy Nigerians to emulate Usman in supporting the education sector.
The event witnessed presentation of awards to distinguished personalities as well as prayers for the nation’s peaceful coexistence and capacity to overcome security challenges.
