Personality in Focus
Donald Peterson PhD: Quiet Leadership, Measurable Impact and New Model for Sustainable Development
Donald Peterson, PhD, President and Founder of the D-Peterson Foundation, represents a rare blend of academic excellence, policy leadership, and grassroots impact in Nigeria’s development space. Though not one to court publicity, his influence has steadily grown through the consistent, life-changing interventions of his Foundation and his strategic role in public service.
Often described as a man who prefers to achieve great things quietly, Dr. Peterson has built a reputation anchored on substance rather than spectacle. His work has increasingly drawn national and international attention, particularly as Nigeria confronts rising challenges in education, youth unemployment, women’s economic inclusion, and community development.
Dr. Peterson currently serves as Special Adviser to the Delta State Government on Entrepreneurship Development, where he plays a key role in translating policy ideas into practical, community-based solutions. In this capacity, he has helped shape entrepreneurial ecosystems that encourage innovation, job creation, and sustainable economic growth, ensuring that development policies reach the grassroots and deliver measurable results.
Public recognition of his work intensified following the growing footprint of the D-Peterson Foundation, a nonprofit organisation committed to youth development, education, and community empowerment. Through structured programmes and long-term interventions, the Foundation has consistently supported between 100 and 200 students annually with access to higher education, empowered women through targeted business grants, and equipped young people with vocational, digital, and technology-focused skills designed to improve employability and self-reliance.
Speaking at the Foundation’s 2025 Yuletide outreach programme for the less privileged, Dr. Peterson articulated the driving force behind the organisation. He explained that the Foundation was established out of a deep sense of urgency and responsibility to contribute meaningfully to society. According to him, its mission is to add value through sustainable youth development and community empowerment, while its core philosophy centres on raising purpose-driven individuals by unlocking human potential for long-term growth and development.
From 2014 to 2025, the D-Peterson Foundation has recorded significant, data-backed impact across multiple sectors. Over 2,000 students have benefited from higher education support, 300 students are currently enrolled in technology training programmes, more than 900 women have received business grants to strengthen economic independence, 1,000 youths have acquired vocational skills, and over 5,000 students have benefited from improved learning environments in schools across different communities.
Addressing the relevance of new foundations in a country already home to numerous charitable organisations, Dr. Peterson has consistently argued that Nigeria’s complex social and economic realities require diverse and innovative responses. He has noted that while existing foundations play important roles, many communities and issues remain underserved. New initiatives, he believes, introduce fresh perspectives, expand resources, and promote collaboration, ultimately leading to more effective solutions and stronger social outcomes.
Beyond philanthropy and governance, Dr. Peterson is widely regarded as an accomplished scholar. He holds two Bachelor of Science degrees in Economics and Business Administration and four Master’s degrees in Business Administration, Financial Economics, and Economics, obtained in the United Kingdom and Nigeria. He has earned a PhD in Economics from the United Kingdom and a PhD in Finance in Nigeria, and is currently completing his Doctor of Business Administration thesis. His academic career includes multiple peer-reviewed research publications and extensive leadership and management training programmes across global institutions, reflecting a commitment to continuous learning and intellectual growth.
Dr. Peterson’s influence also extends to faith-based and community advocacy. Ordained as an Elder of the Perfect Tabernacle Church in Delta State in December 2023, he has remained a vocal advocate for widows, youth, and vulnerable populations, particularly within Ika land. He is also a strong proponent of educational advancement, supporting learners from primary through tertiary levels.
His work has attracted international recognition and honours over the years. These include the Excellent Merit Award from the Mayor of Bonn, Germany in 2013, the Innovation Award of the Year in Nollywood presented by Golden Globe Media in Frankfurt in 2013, the Award of Excellence and Innovation in the Oil and Gas Sector in Paris, France in 2014, the Kwame Nkrumah Grow Africa Prize for Excellence in Ghana in 2024, and the Achievers Awards International Award of Excellence in Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development, as well as the D-Peterson Foundation Outstanding NGO of the Year award in Tanzania in 2025.
At the core of Dr. Peterson’s work is a leadership philosophy defined by integrity, transparency, compassion, and results. His integrated approach to development recognises the strong link between education, economic empowerment, technology advancement, and community wellbeing. Through the convergence of academic excellence, entrepreneurial innovation, and compassionate leadership, Donald Peterson, PhD, continues to set a compelling example of how purposeful leadership can drive sustainable transformation in Nigeria and across Africa.
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Adron Homes and Properties Limited, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, has congratulated the Government and people of Oyo State as the state marks its 50th anniversary, describing the occasion as a celebration of resilience, cultural pride, and sustained progress.
He noted that since its creation, Oyo State has remained a strong contributor to Nigeria’s socio-economic and cultural development, emerging as a hub of commerce, education, and innovation.
According to him, the Golden Jubilee offers a moment for reflection and renewed commitment by government, private sector players, traditional institutions, and citizens toward building a more inclusive and prosperous state.
Aare Emmanuelking commended the state’s ongoing transformation through investments in infrastructure, economic expansion, and human capital development, adding that sustainable growth is deliberate and must remain purpose-driven.
He also praised the leadership of the current administration while acknowledging the contributions of past leaders whose efforts laid the foundation for today’s Oyo State.
Reaffirming Adron Homes’ commitment to national development, he described Oyo State as a land of opportunity. He wished the state continued peace and prosperity, expressing confidence that the next fifty years will bring even greater achievements for the Pace Setter State and its people.
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has taken over the criminal case brought against a senior lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).
The development, however, stalled Ozekhome’s planned arraignment before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on the three-count charge filed against him by the ICPC and in which he is accused of, among others, forgery.
At the day’s proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), said he was representing the AGF and informed the court of the AGF’s decision to take over the case from the ICPC.
Oyedepo said the AGF was acting under his powers as provided in Section 174 of the Constitution.
Counsel for the ICPC, Osuebeni Akpomisingha, did not object to the takeover of the case by the AGF.
Similarly, a former Attorney General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi (SAN), who led a team of lawyers, comprising 15 SANs for the defence, also did not object to the takeover of the case by Fagbemi.
Upon an application for adjournment by Oyedepo, which was not opposed by Agabi, Justice Peter Kekemeke adjourned till February 24 for arraignment.
The Federal High Court Abuja had fixed January 26 to rule on the final forfeiture of a London property linked to a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the late Jeremiah Useni.
The decision followed the failure of any individual or representative of Useni’s estate to appear within the 14-day statutory window to show cause why the property should not be forfeited to the Federal Government.
The proceedings arose from an ex parte application filed in late 2025 by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), which sought an interim forfeiture and preservation order over the disputed property, alleging it was acquired with proceeds of unlawful activity.
On November 28, Justice Binta Nyako granted the interim forfeiture order, directing the CCB to advertise the order in a national newspaper within 14 days to invite “any person or body” with an interest in the property to come forward and prove legitimate acquisition.
The property is located on 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX; named in the property dispute are Ozekhome (SAN), and Useni, a retired Lieutenant-General.
The matter was filed at the First Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Land Registration, UK, under case number ref/2023/0155, with Tali Shani as the applicant and Ozekhome as the respondent.
The property had been claimed by one “Ms Tali Shani” on one hand and Ozekhome on the other.
The SAN said he received the house as a gift from “Mr Tali Shani” in 2021, while lawyers for “Ms Shani” insisted she was the rightful owner.
A witness known as “Mr Tali Shani” had testified in favour of Ozekhome, claiming that he had “powers of attorney” over the property and had transferred the property to the respondent (Ozekhome).
Mr Tali Shani asserted ownership of the property from 1993 and claimed he later appointed Useni as his property manager, describing Useni as an “elder friend and business partner”.
On the other hand, several documents, including an obituary announcement, NIN card, ECOWAS passport, phone number, etc were tendered by witnesses of Ms. Tali Shani to claim ownership of the property.
However, the tribunal found all the documents tendered for Ms. Tali Shani to be fake.
The tribunal subsequently dismissed all claims, ruling that neither “Mr” nor “Ms” Tali Shani existed.
Former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has accused the Department of State Services (DSS) of actions he said were aimed at frustrating his constitutional right to fair hearing and effective legal defence.
In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Mohammed Bello Doka, Malami said the continuous denial of access to his lawyers had impaired his ability to consult, prepare court filings and give instructions to his legal team.
He described the actions of the DSS as a clear frustration of due process.
“This sequence of events clearly suggests a pattern where arrest precedes investigation, with evidence sought after detention, an approach that is a blatant violation of the rule of law and constitutionally guaranteed rights,” the statement said.
“It is deeply troubling that the DSS appears to be adopting a similar practice of arrest, detention, and then evidence gathering.”
Malami recalled that following charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Federal High Court granted him bail.
However, he alleged that the EFCC delayed submitting his international passports to the court for about one week, despite the documents being a key condition for the perfection of bail.
According to him, the delay unnecessarily prolonged his detention and obstructed the execution of a valid court order.
“Immediately after Mr. Malami eventually perfected his bail and was released from Kuje Custodial Centre, he was rearrested by the Department of State Services,” the statement said.
“He was thereafter detained for five days without access to his lawyers or family, and was only allowed to meet his legal team on Friday after prolonged isolation, delays, and grave violations of his fundamental human rights.”
It stressed that bail granted by a court must be respected.
“No agency should be permitted to neutralise judicial orders through coordinated delays, rearrests, or denial of access to legal representation. Such actions undermine the authority of the courts and pose a serious threat to fundamental human rights,” it said.
Malami reaffirmed his readiness to defend himself in court.
“Mr. Malami remains ready to defend himself fully in court and in accordance with the law, and calls on all state institutions to respect court orders, constitutional guarantees, and the rule of law.”
