Dumo Lulu-Briggs Donates Over ₦27.9 Million at Air Force Secondary School Port Harcourt’s 30th Graduation Ceremony

High Chief (Dr.) Dumo Lulu-Briggs (Iniikeiroari VI of Kalabari Kingdom) brought inspiration, generosity, and a powerful message of hope to the 30th Graduation Ceremony and Prize-Giving Day of Air Force Secondary School, Port Harcourt, held under the theme “Future-Proofing Education.” Serving as Grand Patron of the event, he left a lasting impact through visionary support and life-changing donations.

In a landmark gesture, Dumo Lulu-Briggs awarded ₦1 million each to the school’s highest JAMB scorer, a male student who achieved an outstanding 362, and to the best graduating female student.

To institutionalize a legacy of academic excellence, he went on to establish a ₦2.5 million annual trust fund in honour of his late father, High Chief (Dr.) O.B. Lulu-Briggs. The fund will be awarded annually to the best graduating male and female students, beginning immediately. He described this initiative as a tribute to his father's legacy and a commitment to uplifting future generations.

The ceremony also marked the unveiling of The Cockpit Magazine, a 90-page publication produced by the school’s Magazine Committee. Impressed by the students’ creativity and drive, Dumo Lulu-Briggs donated ₦2 million to support their editorial and publishing efforts.

In a major boost to educational infrastructure, he announced an additional ₦20 million donation by Platform Petroleum Limited, where he serves as Chairman, toward the completion of the school’s library. This follows a previous ₦50 million contribution by the company for the initial construction phase, emphasizing a long-term commitment to transformative learning spaces.

In his address, Opuda, Alabo Dumo Lulu-Briggs shared a deeply personal story, reflecting on his early life and struggles. Far from a privileged beginning, he recounted his childhood of hardship, including selling goods on the streets of Port Harcourt.

"There were times when others had more to eat in their homes than we did in ours,” he revealed. “My father laid the foundation, but I had to build on it with grit, perseverance, and faith.”

He urged the graduating students to stay disciplined and resilient, concluding with this powerful charge:

"Let the optimism of your will trump the pessimism of your intellect. Always keep mind over matter.”

To round off the event, he gifted an additional ₦2.84 million, shared among all graduating students, ensuring that each student left with something to remember the day.

In total, Dumo Lulu-Briggs donated over ₦27.9 million during the ceremony, a remarkable testament to his belief in the power of education, legacy, and youth development.

The event was not only a celebration of academic success but a vivid demonstration of how visionary leadership can shape the future of education in Nigeria.