Senator Yakubu Lado Danmarke and his friends have donated N220 million to the Iyin-Ekiti Kingdom in the Irepodun Local Government Area of Ekiti State.
This is despite Hajiya Zainab Yakubu Lado, the Chief Executive Officer of Lado Development Foundation, having pledged to offer a 5-year scholarship to indigent students of Iyin-Ekiti.
While Senator Danmarke donated N200m, his friends contributed N20m.
The Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Oba Adeola Ajakaiye, conferred the chieftaincy title of Aare Atunluse and Yeye Aare Atunluse of Iyin Kingdom on Senator Danmarke and his wife, Hajiya Zainab Yakubu Lado, respectively.
Senator Lado, the 2023 gubernatorial candidate of the opposition PDP in Katsina State, is a philanthropist who is investing heavily in youth, education, health, and social development across the 34 local government areas of Katsina State and beyond.
The former national assembly member, through the Lado Development Foundation, has provided scholarships to hundreds of students in tertiary institutions across different states in the country, while also covering examination fees for students taking the senior secondary school examinations.
The Ekiti monarch stated that the conferment was a recognition of the Senator and his wife’s long-standing years of service to humanity and their relationship with the Iyin Kingdom.
‘Kabiyesi believes in rewarding hard work and appreciating persons who have distinguished themselves, especially in the areas of providing service to humanity. The duo of Senator Lado and his wife, Hajiya Zainab, stand out in this regard, hence the recognition”, a palace source said.
Speaking at the formal installation on Saturday, November 1, at the palace of the Oluyin of Iyin Kingdom, as part of the activities marking the 2025 Iyin Day Celebration, the 7th amalgamated anniversary, and the 5th coronation anniversary of the Iyin monarch, Senator Danmarke reaffirmed his commitment to education and humanitarian services.
He stated that the donation was part of the Yakubu Lado Foundation’s commitment to supporting initiatives that advance humanity, assuring that concerted efforts would be made to enhance humanitarian services.
Danmarke, who thanked the Ekiti monarch for the recognition, said the honour would spur him to do more.
