Chief (Ambassador) Adeshina Osaze Kadri, Chief Executive Officer of The Shina Kadri Foundation, has called on governments at all levels, philanthropists, wealthy individuals and other well-meaning Nigerians to extend greater support to the poor, vulnerable and downtrodden members of society.
Kadri made the call in Ibadan while speaking on the occasion of his birthday, which came up on August 12, 2026 stressing the need for individuals and organisations with the capacity to assist those facing economic hardship to rise to the occasion and contribute meaningfully to improving their lives.
The philanthropist said the celebration offered him an opportunity to reflect on the essence of life, the importance of giving and the responsibility of those who have been blessed with resources to use such blessings to make a positive difference in society.
According to him, there are many people in different communities who are struggling to provide basic necessities for themselves and their families, adding that concerted efforts by government, private individuals and philanthropic organisations could bring relief and restore hope to such people.
Ambassador Kadri noted that while government has a major responsibility to provide social services and create an enabling environment for citizens to prosper, the task of supporting the vulnerable should not be left entirely to government.
Ambassador Kadri maintained that wealthy individuals, successful business owners, philanthropists, corporate organisations and other privileged members of society should complement government efforts by supporting programmes and initiatives targeted at the poor and needy.
He said his passion for humanitarian service informed the establishment of the Shina Kadri Foundation, through which he had continued to reach out to the less privileged since its establishment.
The foundation, he explained, was established with the desire to touch lives, bring relief to people experiencing hardship and contribute to the wellbeing and development of members of the society.
According to him, his involvement in humanitarian activities had further strengthened his conviction that many people did not necessarily need huge interventions to change their circumstances, but could benefit tremendously from timely support, encouragement and opportunities.
He said, providing support to vulnerable people can help restore their dignity, reduce hardship and enable them to become productive members of their communities.
He therefore urged other philanthropists and wealthy Nigerians to emulate the culture of giving and make the welfare of the less privileged an important part of their activities.
The Ambassador said: “There are many people around us who are poor and vulnerable and who need our support. We must not ignore them. Those of us who have been blessed with the resources to help others should see it as a responsibility to give back to society.
“Government alone cannot solve all the challenges confronting our people. Individuals, philanthropists, corporate organisations and other well-meaning Nigerians must complement the efforts of government by supporting the poor and creating opportunities for them to live better lives.”
The foundation boss noted that empowering people to become self-reliant was one of the most effective ways of tackling poverty and reducing dependence.
Ambassador Kadri further appealed to individuals in positions of influence to use their connections and resources to open doors of opportunity for people who might otherwise remain marginalized.
He said society would become more peaceful, prosperous and united when the privileged showed concern for the welfare of the less privileged.
According to him, the poor and needy should be treated with dignity and respect, rather than being regarded as a burden on society.
Ambassador Kadri expressed gratitude to God for granting him the privilege to witness another birthday, describing the occasion as a moment of thanksgiving and renewed commitment to the service of humanity.
He said celebrating his birthday had further encouraged him to remain committed to his humanitarian vision and to continue using the Shina Kadri Foundation as a platform for reaching people in need.
He reaffirmed his commitment to the objectives of the Shina Kadri Foundation, saying he would continue to support initiatives that promote humanitarian welfare, community development and improved living conditions for the less privileged.
The Chief Executive Officer said his birthday would continue to serve as a reminder of the responsibility to give back to society and contribute to making life more meaningful for others.
He said his ultimate desire was to see a society where no individual would be abandoned because of poverty or social disadvantage, and where people would have access to the support and opportunities required to live happy, dignified and productive lives.
