Ibrahim Ibrahim
A seven-year-old pupil, Faith Maiyaki, from Dutse in Jigawa State, has captured hearts nationwide after donating her last savings to the Oluremi Tinubu Education Fund, an initiative of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Faith, a Primary Four student, was inspired by the “Oluremi at 65 Education Fund” campaign, which encourages Nigerians to contribute to the fund instead of sending gifts or goodwill messages for the First Lady’s 65th birthday, celebrated on September 21, 2025.
The fund supports the provision of storybooks for the National Library, with the goal of improving children’s access to reading materials across the country.
According to her parents, Faith first heard about the campaign while watching NTA, Channels TV, and TVC Network News. Deeply moved by the appeal, she insisted for a week that she wanted to make her own contribution.
On the night of September 3, after hearing the jingle again, she quickly wrote down the Zenith Bank account number and pleaded with her father to help her send the donation.
Her father eventually broke open her clay savings bank and transferred the money from his Fidelity Bank account at exactly 10:08 p.m., showing Faith the transaction receipt. Moments later, her 10-year-old sister followed her example and made her own donation at 10:10 p.m.
Both girls are avid readers. Faith has read 68 storybooks since July 2024, while her sister has read more than 100 and also writes short stories. The two share a bookshelf in their bedroom and often fall asleep reading together. They also attend phonics lessons every Friday evening and Saturday morning to strengthen their literacy skills.
Faith credits her passion for books to her elder sister and their parents, who have fostered a culture of reading and awareness at home by encouraging them to follow both national and international news.
Speaking about their motivation, the sisters said they wanted to help other Nigerian children gain access to storybooks through the National Library. They also wished the First Lady a happy birthday, praying for her good health and long life.
Earlier this month, the sisters joined other girls to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child by participating in a symbolic plenary session at the Jigawa State House of Assembly. On that occasion, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Haruna Aliyu Dangyatin, temporarily vacated his seat to allow a girl-child Speaker preside over the session.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu, born September 21, 1960, has called on Nigerians to support the construction of a state-of-the-art National Library as part of her education initiative.
The First Lady has emphasized that the project will promote literacy, research, and digital learning access nationwide. She recently toured the Qatar National Library in Doha to gather insights for the initiative.
Faith Maiyaki’s story stands as a touching reminder that compassion and generosity know no age and that a child’s simple act of giving can inspire a new generation of readers and learners across Nigeria.