Amidst Outpouring Of Felicitations, Renowned Philanthropist, Halima Usman Marks Birthday

The founder, HalimaFactor Community Initiative, Halima Usman on Monday ushered in the new year with the celebration of her birthday.

The philanthropist and education campaigner who is currently taking a deserved Christmas and New Year holidays in her North Eastern state of Gombe had received an avalanche of congratulatory messages from friends and colleagues from the mainstream and social media.

One of such goodwill messages came from Hussaini Tilde who wrote, “Happy Birthday to my Mentor, BOSS And also a Ladder.
The 1ts Alkalamin Kaltingo
The Iron Lady
A lady with a clean Heart
A Mother of Many
One among thousands….
Wish you many more years ahead
Mace Me Kamar Maza
Allah Yakara Mana Irinku A Nigeria dama Duniya baki daya“.

Also, another birthday wish came from one Usman Usman who extolled Halima Usman’s impact and contributions in the development of the society.
“Happy birthday Ma’am.
“Our generation must be grateful for the impact you made on us.
“Let’s celebrate the Mother of North Eastern raising leaders.
“May all your wishes be fulfilled” he wrote.

In the same vein, one Sadiq Yahaya had taken to his Facebook page to write, “Happy birthday to you Mummy! I wish you a life of prosperity, grace, favor, wisdom, blessing and more exploits. Having you around us is a privilege we embrace with honor. I celebrate you Halima M. Usman!
“Happy birthday!”

In a social media post, while expressing gratitude to those who identified with her, she said her birthday is a day of quiet, calm and reflection.

The author said she finds fulfillment in service of others, expressing gratitude that fate has chosen her to be a source of hope to others.

“A lot of you have challenged me to grow and become better and in the process of growing to become better I have realized that the best life one can ever live is a life of service to others, communities and nation.
“This service has gradually turned to become a life of great impact. It was not what I had planned but now I see how God turns the little things we do from the heart into something beautiful, something magical.
“I am glad that fate chose me to experience this amazing wonder of being used by God. My prayer is that, May God raise for us selfless leaders who will take Nigeria to higher heights, she wrote. 

The post has since generated hundreds of birthday wishes.

Halima who is also the chairman Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA Abuja had in recent times attracted accolades for her efforts in raising hope for the less privileged in the society through her organization.

Her scholarship scheme at the moment has in enrollment students from various universities and other institutions of higher learning.

Her Initiative also has students in primary and secondary schools who are known as the Ambassadors in her scholarship scheme.

Recall that at her book launch last year in Abuja, she announced that funds raised from the event would be injected into the HalimaFactor Initiative to expand the scholarship enrollment at various levels of education.

This may have also informed her decision to rebrand and expand her annual Gombe Day Of Literature to North East Festival of Culture & Creativity.

The idea she said is to create room for students in all the North Eastern states of the federation to participate in annual literary festival.

The maiden edition of the North East Festival of Culture & Creativity which took place 16-18 November 2021 at Gombe State University featured drawing, poetry and prose.

It had in attendance the presence of top government functionaries and traditional rulers, including the Deputy governor of the state, Manassah Daniel Jatau, Mai Kaltungo HRH Engr. Saleh Mohammad OON, Mai Kaltungo, and top management staff of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC and others.