Celebrities Ring Support at Victor Tulutu Briggs’ Foundation Launch
Ferdinand Ekechukwu
The official launch of the Victor Tulutu Briggs Foundation (VTBF) at Lekki Centre Hall, Lagos recently witnessed a mix of distinguished personalities from across Nigeria’s social firmament, including A-list entertainers, business icon, academicians, and political figures, as they graced the occasion in support and celebration of the initiative.
Among the many remarkable guests were the chief launcher, Senator Daisy Danjuma; co-founder Sahara Group, Tonye Cole and former Director General Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Hon. Dakuku Peterside; Professor Iyeopu Siminialayi of University of Port Harcourt; actors Julius Agwu, and Charles Inojie.
Others were BBNaija star and sports analyst, Ozo, comedian Omeni, music sensation, Inyanya, his manager Ubi Franklin, and a host of other socialites who lit up the event. They mostly recalled their encounter with the President of the Foundation, Victor Tubotamuno Briggs, a passionate advocate of social change and pledged to partner and support him.
As the vision bearer, Victor together with his wife, Amelda, has in ways worked with various stakeholders given some form of engagement, and collaboration, to bring about positive change in different spheres. It has expanded its reach beyond education, healthcare, empowerment, human capacity development, sports, with a focus on creating lasting change.
“Over 15 years ago I embarked on this philanthropic journey, with the support of my beloved wife and immediate family, giving back to my people and encouraging economic prosperity. Today, the vision has grown into what we are witnessing now, with a greater reach and across Nigeria and plans to extend beyond the walls of Africa,’ he remarked.
Born out of deep desire to make lasting impact on the lives of individuals, especially youths, and women, who are most often affected by the challenges of poverty and lack of access to essential services, the foundation through its diverse range of projects and programs, continues to touch lives and inspire hope among those it serves.
Victor lauded the support given by Sen. Danjuma to the Foundation.
“She and her husband have spared us a lot to do what we are doing here. While we are celebrating the Victor Tulutu Briggs Foundation today we just cannot celebrate without involving her. Since staying here in Lagos I said if God has blessed me, we have to give back to the society.
“And that’s what you are seeing here that brought all of us together to see how we can give back to the society and to see how we can help the less privileged ones that do not have the opportunity to go to school; to see how we can help the less privilege that cannot feed their families, that cannot get even a basic living,” he said.
Continuing, he said, “I started from my community. Today we are all over Nigeria, helping people, helping society to see how they can have a better living. So I appreciate all of you being here today to support this great vision that we have today. I cannot complete my speech without also recognising Professor Allen. Allen is my lecturer; he’s my Professor in Uniport.”
On her part, Sen. Danjuma recalls meeting Victor Briggs over two decades ago, saying many are called but few are chosen. “I actually believe that strongly. I was chairman of women and youth development of the Nigerian Senate when I met Victor with a group of some young men, he stood out. That quality he had then still showcases itself today.”
“You have to give back to the community if you have been successful. I’m very delighted that Victor today has a foundation he’s launching. It’s not just today he started. He just decided to make it public today. I know he has been helping a lot of people in the past, or continuously but today he wants to launch it officially for people to know,” she stated.
She stressed that helping the needy was necessary for a better society.
