By Usman Abdullahi Koli, ANIPR

Some lives are measured in years, others in titles, and some in possessions. The rarest and most enduring lives are measured in the hearts they touch and the hope they restore. Dr. Bala Maijama’a Wunti belongs firmly in that rare place. His journey has been one of resilience and quiet strength, of rising from hardship to become a fountain of generosity whose waters reach far beyond the place where they spring.

Born on 8th August 1966, his earliest years were marked by a loss that would shape the rest of his life. Losing both parents as a child meant entering the world with an emptiness most could never imagine. Those days were not kind, survival was his only option. There were no easy comforts, no safety nets, only the will to push forward and the dream that tomorrow could be better.

Instead of allowing hardship to harden him, it softened him in extraordinary ways. The hunger he knew became a hunger to feed others. The loneliness he endured became a desire to stand by those who had no one. The obstacles he faced became a determination to clear the paths for others. He did not allow pain to turn into bitterness; he transformed it into kindness.

Over the years, giving has become so woven into his life that it no longer feels like charity, it feels like breathing. He has lifted burdens that would have crushed families, stepped in quietly where hope was fading, and turned despair into relief for people who may never know his face but will always remember his help. For him, giving is not a grand event; it is the natural rhythm of his days.

Only yesterday, on the eve of his birthday, he paid the full registration fees for Bauchi State indigenous Law students across Law Schools in Nigeria and added incentives to support their journey. For those young men and women, it was more than a payment. It was belief in their dreams and a reminder that someone cares enough to invest in their future. Acts like this are not exceptions in his life, they are the pattern.

His foundation, Wunti Alkhair, is an extension of his own values. It reaches into communities, lifts the sick from their sickbeds by clearing medical bills, opens doors of opportunity for young people to acquire skills, and creates moments of dignity where they seemed lost. It strengthens faith by building and restoring places of worship, not as monuments of wealth but as sanctuaries of hope.

What makes him remarkable is not just the scale of what he gives but the sincerity with which he gives it. There is no fanfare, no calculation, no search for applause. Many of those who have felt his kindness will never meet him, yet they carry a piece of him in their stories, in their survival, and in their renewed strength to face life again.

As we celebrate his birthday today, we celebrate far more than a date. We honour a man whose life is proof that greatness is not in what we take but in what we give. A man who rose through the storms of his own childhood to become a shelter for others. A man who, in a world too often cold and self-serving, has chosen to be warm and selfless.

May Allah grant him long life, good health, and the strength to keep shaping lives for the better. May his journey remind us all that no matter where we start, we can choose to live in a way that makes the world a little softer, a little fairer, and a little kinder.

Happy Birthday, Dr. Bala Maijama’a Wunti. Your life is not only a blessing to those who know you but to many who never will, and that is the highest form of legacy.

Usman Abdullahi Koli,
mernoukoli@gmail.com.

By Our Correspondent

In a major boost for students facing financial hardship, the Velocity Humanitarian Foundation has announced it will settle all outstanding tuition fees for eligible indigenous students of Gombe State currently studying at Gombe State University (GSU).

The initiative, spearheaded by the foundation’s founder, Engineer Aliyu Mohammed, was revealed in a press release issued on Monday, July 29, 2025.

According to the statement, the intervention will cover both students who have not paid their tuition at all and those who have made only partial payments. The move is expected to bring significant relief to many families struggling to meet the rising cost of education.

“In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,” the statement began, “I wish to inform the general public, especially students and parents across Gombe State, that the Velocity Humanitarian Foundation, under my leadership, will take full responsibility for the payment of outstanding tuition fees for eligible Indigenous students of Gombe State currently studying at Gombe State University.”

Engineer Mohammed emphasized that the gesture should not be seen as an act of charity, but rather “a moral obligation and a strategic investment in the potential of our youth and the development of Gombe State.”

He added that the foundation is working closely with the university authorities to ensure a transparent and well-coordinated disbursement process, and that further details will be released through official channels in the coming days.

“To all affected students: remain focused, stay hopeful, and never stop striving. Your future is valid and worth every support,” the statement concluded.

This announcement has been met with widespread praise across the state, especially among parents and students who see the intervention as a lifeline in the face of economic challenges.

Educational analysts and civil society groups have also applauded the initiative, describing it as a “model for responsible philanthropy” that targets a critical area of need—access to higher education.

As the details unfold, many hope this initiative will not only ease the burden on struggling students but also inspire other well-meaning individuals and organizations to invest in youth development and education across Nigeria.

By Our Correspondent

The Arewa Christian Youth Leadership Forum (ACYLF) has extended heartfelt commendation to Senator Abdul’aziz Yari for his outstanding commitment to education and human capital development through the Yari Scholarship Initiative.

In a press statement issued in Gombe on Monday, Mr. Dunijir Gatama, the National Chairman of ACYLF, said the initiative is helping to boost access to education in Northern Nigeria.

Gatama stated that over N216 million has already been invested in the payment of tuition fees for 2,055 orphans and vulnerable students within just one year.

He described the intervention as not only timely but visionary, considering the challenges affecting school attendance and educational indices in the region.

“This initiative is covering both public and private universities across 14 local government areas of Zamfara State.

“It reflects the senator’s deep compassion and his unwavering belief in the power of education to change lives.

“ACYLF recognises education as the bedrock of any strong and prosperous nation.

“By granting equal access to tertiary education regardless of economic status, Senator Yari is laying a foundation for a more just and empowered Northern Nigeria.

“The monthly stipends of N15,000 provided to each beneficiary further demonstrate the holistic support embedded in this initiative,” he said.

Gatama called on other political leaders, philanthropists, and well-meaning elites across Northern Nigeria to emulate this exemplary gesture.

“At a time when many students face economic hardship and lack the means to access education, Senator Yari’s initiative shines as a beacon of hope and leadership in action,” he added.

He said the association would continue to support leaders who prioritise the future of youth by amplifying such noble efforts that promote equity, education, and sustainable development in the North and beyond.