Meet Chief Mbulu

Chief Mbulu recounted how his father's advice - “never give up, never say you can never do anything” - motivated him to make a difference in others' lives. When his father passed away, Chief Mbulu faced many challenges but remained resilient. As an international student in Canada, he worked as a dishwasher and taxi driver to pay his school fees and support his family back home.

Chief Mbulu was just 13 when his father, a former school teacher, was murdered in Northern Nigeria in 1966, before the outbreak of the Nigerian civil war. This tragedy drove the family into poverty, and as the eldest child, he assumed the responsibility of providing for them. Despite these challenges, Chief Mbulu persevered. In 1967, he received a scholarship for his secondary education, enabling him to attend Anglican Grammar School in Ubulu-Uku. He then went on to work at the Central Bank of Nigeria before pursuing higher education at York University in Canada. He decided to give back by offering scholarships at York University and building schools in Nigeria that are lifesaving for children, as the previous school was on the other side of the busy

Lagos - Asaba highway(like highway 401). Children were being killed almost daily trying to cross over to go to school. Chief Emma Mbulu Primary School continues to save lives.

The experiences of overcoming adversity and the generosity of others inspired Chief Mbulu to give back to the institutions and communities he holds dear. In 2018, he was awarded the Pendle Award for Philanthropy by the Foundation. The Chief Mbulu Family Fund stands as a beacon of hope and a testament to the power of community support and dedication. By addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by those with sickle cell disease, the Chief Mbulu Family Fund ensures a brighter, healthier future for all.