Former lawmaker and businessman Hon. Shina Abiola Peller marked his 50th birthday at the Pacelli School for the Blind and Partially Sighted Children in Surulere, Lagos, in a celebration defined by emotion, inspiration, and a renewed commitment to inclusion and support for persons with disabilities.
Peller, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Aquila Group of Companies and proprietor of Quilox Restaurant and Nightclub, used the occasion to reinforce his long-standing advocacy for education, youth empowerment, and disability inclusion. Born on May 14, 1976, in Iseyin, Oyo State, he is the son of the late Professor Moshood Abiola Peller and Alhaja Silifat Peller. He studied Chemical Engineering and Business Management at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho, and completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme in Abia State in 2003. Over the years, he has built a diversified business portfolio spanning oil and gas, hospitality, infrastructure, and real estate.
Rather than hosting a conventional birthday celebration, Peller chose to spend the milestone with visually impaired students, transforming the event into a moving showcase of resilience, talent, and gratitude. The celebration featured worship songs, poetry recitations, Yoruba chants, choreographed dances, eulogies, and musical performances delivered with remarkable confidence and energy by the students, drawing applause from guests and creating a powerful atmosphere of inclusion and human connection. Students also received prizes, cash gifts, and scholarships during the event, further reinforcing the empowerment-focused nature of the celebration.
Interview with Hon. Shina Peller
What does this celebration at Pacelli School mean to you, especially on your 50th birthday?
Today has been part of my birthday celebration, but this is actually the most important part of it for me. For about 13 years now, every May 14, the children here already know me. Even if most of them have not seen me before, they always say they know me. I have taken one of them from here to King's College, and that same person is now in the university.
Why is it important for you to consistently support children with disabilities?
You might be visually impaired, but that does not take away your vision. I believe support for persons with disabilities should be a priority for government because they are among the most vulnerable in society. I started this long before I went into politics. Even when I was not holding political office, I continued doing it. Over 50 students have benefited from my scholarship scheme since 2013.
What motivated your entry into politics?
One of the major reasons I went into politics was to be a voice for the common man and for those who are often unheard. My commitment to social impact has remained consistent both in and out of political office.
What other initiatives are you involved in beyond philanthropy?
I am involved in the Lead Generation Initiative (LGI), which focuses on leadership development, and the Global Entrepreneurship Festival, aimed at empowering young entrepreneurs and problem-solvers. Both initiatives are designed to build capacity, inspire innovation, and prepare the next generation of leaders.
How do you reflect on turning 50?
At 50, you begin to ask yourself: What is your relationship with God? How many people have you lifted? What have you truly done with your life? Charity is not just about giving money. It is about kindness, making people happy, and putting smiles on faces. The next 50 years of my life, if God gives it to me, I want to use it as a bridge of hope to people around me.
What is your final message to society regarding children with disabilities?
Sometimes people think these children cannot do anything. But when they are given the right support, they can go far in life. We have different kinds of disabilities, and all of them deserve attention and care.
Principal Commends Support
The Principal of Pacelli School for the Blind, Sister Agnes Chinyere Onwudiwe, HHCJ, praised Peller's long-standing commitment to the institution. She noted that staff welfare remains one of the challenges affecting quality education for visually impaired learners but said Peller's consistent support has remained a source of encouragement to both students and staff. "No matter where he is, he always comes back here on May 14 to celebrate with the children," she said, while praying for continued blessings and strength for all supporters of the school.
Talent, Giving and Human Connection
The event also featured cultural and musical performances, with students showcasing their creativity in an atmosphere filled with recognition and encouragement. Cash gifts, scholarships, and prizes were presented to outstanding students, reinforcing the event's message of empowerment and opportunity. Peller revealed that several beneficiaries of his scholarship programme have gone on to excel in fields such as law and music, citing internationally acclaimed music producer Cobhams as an example of what persons with visual impairment can achieve when given the right support.
Beyond the celebration itself, the event served as a reminder that inclusion, when consistently practised rather than merely discussed, can lead to lasting transformation. For the students, it was more than a performance — it was recognition, visibility, and reassurance that their abilities matter in a society where vulnerable groups are often overlooked. For guests, the gathering became a moment of reflection on the importance of sustained support for persons with disabilities and the role of education in unlocking human potential. For Peller, it was a reaffirmation of a philosophy he has embraced for over a decade: that true impact is measured not by public ceremonies or personal milestones, but by the number of lives uplifted, empowered, and allowed to thrive.
