MLU founder donates houses, hospital to wounded soldiers in Maiduguri
By Chibueze Sunday
June 30, 2025
In a remarkable demonstration of compassion and national service, Dr. Paul Odili, founder of Margaret Lawrence University, Nigeria, has extended a life-changing gesture to Nigerian soldiers wounded in the fight against Boko Haram insurgents. Acting through his humanitarian arm, the Fountain of Joy and Comfort Ministries, Dr. Odili pledged to construct fully furnished three-bedroom flats for each soldier who, due to their injuries, can no longer return to active service.
The announcement was made on Saturday at the Maimalari Cantonment, headquarters of Operation Hadin Kai in Maiduguri. Dr. Odili, accompanied by Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, personally interacted with 75 wounded soldiers, offering words of encouragement and a personal monetary token to each of them.
‘The troops pay their sacrifice for us to have our businesses in Abuja and other parts of Nigeria in a secured environment...I’m happy I had opportunity to say thank you to them,’ Dr. Odili said.
Beyond housing, Dr. Odili donated a fully equipped hospital to the Nigerian Army, valued at over ₦1 billion, along with high-end medical equipment such as X-ray machines. The facility is expected to significantly enhance healthcare delivery to soldiers and others within the cantonment.
He also pledged to build 20 homes annually for wounded soldiers in phases, while encouraging other Nigerians to join him in supporting the military.
General Musa commended the gesture, noting that it reflects deep national loyalty and the kind of civic leadership needed to support frontline troops.
‘We are in Maiduguri to see our men and appreciate their sacrifice and dedication, and to encourage them to push harder in the fight against terrorism,’ Gen. Musa said.
Also speaking at the event, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, praised Dr. Odili for his generosity, noting that the donated medical equipment would be quickly deployed to improve treatment for the wounded.
Through such acts of nation-building and healing, Dr. Paul Odili exemplifies the values of compassion, service, and transformative leadership. His vision continues to shape MLU as an institution committed not just to academic excellence, but to humanitarian impact and national development—empowering a new generation to lead with empathy and purpose in Nigeria and beyond.
