Anonymous Donation of N250 Million to Kings College in Lagos & Edo College in Benin Sparks Debate over Anonymous Vs. Publicized Donations
Posted on Thursday, December 13th, 2012 at 1:02 AMBy Adeola Adeyemo
In a society where the practice of donating anonymously is almost extinct, an anonymous donor has given one million pounds sterling (about N250 million) to Kings College, Lagos and Edo College, Benin.
The Chairman of the British-Nigeria Education Trust (BNET), David Reeves, said on Wednesday in London that the donation was for the upgrade of the two schools. According to Premium Times, he said at a reception organised by the Nigerian High Commission for BNET that the donor specifically requested for the money to be spent on those schools.
“We have been most encouraged by a recent anonymous donation of one million pounds sterling; the donor has charged us with negotiating the use of this very generous amount of money with two of the major schools in Nigeria. The schools are Kings College in Lagos and Edo College in Benin. We are already in discussion with them and hope to identify a major project in each of them,” Mr. Reeves said.
He said that part of the money would be set aside for scholarship schemes for the less privileged students.
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This is indeed a laudable donation. God bless the heart of the person that did this. It would go a long way in touching the lives of thousands of students and in turn, generations to come.
It however brings the topic of anonymous donations to the fore. Often times, when public figures like politicians, celebrities, business moguls and so on make large donations for charity causes, it makes the news. Sometimes, they are pictured giving these items to the people they are donating them to and go the extra mile to ensure that the information about their donation gets out on social media, blogs, newspapers, TV and other media.
It has been a topic of debate as people argue that donations are best when they aren’t made public. Meanwhile, others say there is nothing wrong with publicizing a donation as long as it gets to the appropriate party and is used for the right cause.
What are your views on anonymous versus publicized donations? Are there any right or wrongs ways of making donations?
Let’s discuss!
Tags: British-Nigeria Education Trust, David Reeves, Edo College Benin, Kings college Lagos
There should be no debate about public vs anonymous- at least there will be opportunities for the less privileged to attend these rather prestigious schools- we don’t need to know who the donor/s is or are, as long as there are no strings attached to these donations
In this era of kidnapping, yours faithfully will give anonymously.
A man in town, who lives in Germany donated money through his father to the town . The next day, his father was kidnapped on his way from morning service.
it was probably a white philanthropist cuz if it was a nigerian they dud make the kids dance and carry yam and garri mchew
lol
I think it really depends on the individual.
What is crucial is that there are kind individuals heavily investing in the future generations. I hope the money is spent wisely and accounted for
exactly soraya, more important thins to debate about…the fact that pple r making donations is what is commendable….now, hope it will be put to good use n not embezzled
Probably anonymous because there’s no political intent to it. A good gesture indeed!
http://theglamfile.blogspot.com
Some people likes being private…. I agree with @Soraya ‘we don’t need to know who the donor/s is or are, as long as there are no strings attached to these donations’
http://bit.ly/SSNTAY
I see nothing wrong in anonymous donations as long as the money get’s into the hands of the intended recipients or used for the intended project.
Well are you sure the donor is Nigerian? That said sha it depends on the donor really, some people like being private about charity others want the whole world to hear about it.
http://www.jeenager.com
This is sooo encouraging and touching!
God bless the donor’s heart. Already the value of KC in my eyes has gone up a notch, I want to attend Kings college now (even though I’m female and way pass high school) lol
why would anyone think the donor mite not be a Nigerian…..na wah o. such myopic thinking. That said, it makes alot of sense to remain anonymous giving dat type of donation, u honestly dont want to be the centre of any crazy act like robbery, kidnapping, unecessary investigations etc all because u have the money. There again, it could be a grp of individuals……… i hope the money is spent judiciously.
In my own opinion, its better you give anonymously, whats the point broadcasting it all over the place? May God bless the giver, amen.
Anonymous donation is actually very ok if the people they donated the money to will be truthful to them selfs and not take advantage of the money, especially in this kind of country we in today.
There is not bad in anonymous donation abeg with the high rate of insecurity in this country, the person is really good to give that type of money to the schools,l hope and pray it will use well and not in a fixed account. God bless the giver, he/she will never lack any good thing in Jesus name, AMEN.
V cheap topic to discuss,seriously?
Should educated nigerian women only talk about shoes and handbags? come on BN is trying and they are a refreshing and foward movin enterprise.Im only thinking aloud mind you.
A very big thank yoou to the donor(s).
Bible says don’t let your left hand know what the right hand does. Whether public or anonymous the intent of the giver is most important. If u give to be seen, that is your reward. If you give privately, God will reward you openly.
Pls donation is accepted if the money is used judiciously and in accordance of it purpose God bless givers
At least someones doing the right thing for a change.If it wasnt for good education where would many of us be today? Roasting corn and plantain by the roadside? Selling guguru an epa?
At least his/her heart is in the right place.they could have easily used it to buy what they already have. Not all rich people are the same it seems.Thank god.Nigeria has enough puff puff sellers.Some of who,if given the chance will do great things.
make man close mouth joor.
with d way Nigeria is going, donating anonymously shd not be preached to anyone before they adopt it
the donor is a Nigerian old boy of Edo College making waves in Computer Science in UK! He is trying to deflect attention by adding KC. Surprised that our press has not show tracked him as they continue to focus on wrong people! God Bless you T.I- the only guy who scored 104% in Additional Mathematics- your humility is Amazing.
and how have you helped him to keep his anonymity?
Big fan of anonymous donations. Fond of the muslim saying “your left hand should not know what your right hand gives out”. I think the publicised ones are for attention seekers.
3 things:
1) Why am I seeing this disbelief that this money could have been donated by a Nigerian? Have we become so caustic and skeptical about ourselves as a people that our default view of other Nigerians is that they are automatically bad? Have we bought into the “hype” that Naija == BAD? Believe it or not there are stable, morally-upright, law-abiding, every day Nigerians and people of Nigerian descent living in Nigeria & the diaspora making their modest or grander incomes contributing to causes and alma maters they believe in.
2) I’m with Nnenne – so long as it gets used for the people intended, then Halleluia! If it does, I’m sure it will motivate & encourage others to donate as well and maybe we need to start having donations for public sector improvements like that Ugbowo road disaster of a flooding that occurs every rainy season. Obviously, our government can’t handle simple amenity provisions & maintenance.
3) Yes, this was & should’ve been done anonymously. When people’s safety up to our finance minister’s family cannot be guaranteed, then you take sensible measures and hide your wealth. I hope no nicompoop at the schools leaks out the person’s info.
Lastly, am I the only one that thinks Chef Fregz is an absolutely delicious looking man?
ooops sorry, a nicompoop have! checks upstairs….lol