Siddhartha Gautama, most commonly referred to as Buddha, the father and founder of the Buddhism Religion once said: “Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened”, implying, in the words of the celebrated german-born diarist, Anne Frank that, “No one has ever become poor by giving”. Those words on the marble aptly define the man Atiku Abubakar, a man who’s philanthropic cum charitable dispositions have changed the lives of many hitherto vulnerable persons, communities or groups who’ve been privileged to have their paths crossed by Atiku Abubakar, while his profile continues on the ascendancy.
Born into a family who’s father was opposed to the idea of Western education and tried to keep him out of the traditional school system, Atiku Abubakar has risen to become a lover of education. Encouraged by the circumstances surrounding his birth and parentage, where he nearly missed acquiring Western Education, Atiku believes that without education a man would be left behind in the fast-advancing world by the minute. This probably informed his decision to award avalanche of university/other higher institutions scholarships to many indigent, but brilliant students across the length and breath of the country. The gesture has not only given them an assured future, but also has taken financial pressures off their parents. His establishment of the American University of Nigeria, a citadel of learning with world class facilities that compare favourably with its counterparts around the world in his home state, and not in far away countries as others do, stands him out as one with an undiluted patrotism and love for community and country. In line with his spirit of philanthropy, this same institution has been bequeathed to the community. This, indeed is a disposition that is hard to find among Nigeria’s elite and political gladiators, but only common with the likes of Mother Teresa, The Bill Gates and lately, Atiku Abubakar.
Culturally speaking, the The Waziri Adamawa is at home with his people. This couldn’t have come on a platter but clearly through a dint of hard work and unwavering love for his people. And the people are not taking this for granted as, in recognition of this he has been bestowed with countless traditional titles not only in his northern stronghold as it were, but all over the country. Little wonder Aesop maintains that: “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted”. Of course, why not? Such honours are to be expected. For instance, a man who defied mythology and pivoted the participation of a district head of Gurin in the Hadjj, rewriting a 400 year old history, should be respected. According to myth, any head who undertook the Hadjj was meant to be deposed, but both the district head, and Atiku are still alive today, hale and hearty to the glory of Allah.
The former Vice President is a man who revers his creator all his life as demonstrated by his constant participation in the yearly Hadjj in the Holy Land. He has taken this a step further by building no fewer than 400 mosques across the country. This is in recognition of the fact that whatsoever he has achieved in life was made possible by the almighty.
This Adamawa-born Nigerian politician cum businessman has interest in Agriculture, Transportation, Real Estate, Manufacturing, Oil and Gas and lots more. In all these the man Atiku can be aptly described as extremely successful, one who can be trusted judging from the success stories of his conglomerates.
What more can we ask for but a man who has the interest of the entire country at heart. As the race for 2027 hots up any moment from now, the citizens have the golden opportunity to make amends for the years of misjudgements and misgovernment which have characterized the political scene in the country by voting for Atiku Abubakar to replicate the success stories of his private concerns in the larger Nigerian nation.
Chf. A.E Onwuka,
LLB (Hons) MSc, Ph.D in view
SA,@Atiku Abubakar,GCON