The world would have been a better place if all people that are blessed by divine providence to be rich and affluent were magnanimous in sharing with the poor. Being poor or wealthy is not the prerogative or design of anybody, but rather is something that is ordained by God.
As the saying goes: “God loves a cheerful giver”. In the Bible and Qur’an in many chapters and verses, the God admonishes his servants to give to the poor even if in times of adversity. For instance, there are over 350 verses in the Holy Qur’an where Allah (SWT) emphasized and encouraged the feeding of those in need, the wayfarer and the poor. There are also many verses mandating the rich to give to the poor as an obligation known as “zakkat”. It, therefore, implies that, act of charity, kindness and the obligatory zakkat, which the Christians call “tithe” are a fundamental and significant task loved by God.
If the rich in the midst of humanity are inclined towards generosity to the poor, the world would have been so peaceful; there would have been no reason for armed robbery, stealing, bribery and corruption.
Permit me to share this horrible brief story with you: there was a man with his family living in a rented apartment, he had a neighbour living next to his flat, which means they were living in the same duplex, one of the co-tenants had observed that the other tenant did not cook anything for the children during the last two days.
It was obvious they had nothing to cook in the house, the neighbour who noticed this sad development, informed his wife, saying: “did you observe our neighbour has nothing to feed his family? The wife replied, “yes I intended to ask you if we can help them with some food items, at least for the sake of their children”. The husband said, “No I am not giving them anything, I want them to know that there is a difference between us, I am better than him, he thinks we are equals.” Imagine this kind of wickedness; man’s inhumanity to man. This sheer wickedness and lack of sympathy towards neighbours is what is popularly known in Nigerian parlance as “I pass my neighbour”, a very cruel means of displaying class or status, which after all belongs to God, because it is God who gives and takes and He bestows riches to whomever he so wishes and withheld from whomever he so desires.
At this point in time it will not be out of place to briefly enumerate one of the classical examples of a cheerful giver, who gives without anticipating any reward or favour from his immediate community. Alhaji Abubakar Mai-Akwala is a young under 30 businessman based in Jos, Plateau so capital. For the past four years, Mai-Akwala has been positively touching the lives of the indigent, orphans, widows, women and empowering the youths to be self-reliant, albeit silently.
For instance, Abubakar Mai-Akwala was the first individual who sponsored the distribution of water for domestic use of the people within the city and suburbs of Jos, North LGA. Mai-Akwala distributed over 100 trucks of water tankers during the Covid-19 lockdown. Investigations by yours sincerely had also revealed that, through the Mai-Akwala Foundation, over 2500 youths comprising both males and females have been trained to acquire various entrepreneurial skills to make them self-reliant. Just last week, about 50 of such trainees graduated and provided with startup tools, such as sewing machines, knitting machines barbing equipment, among others.
There are also 45 widows who are currently undergoing apprenticeship in soap making, pomade and perfume making as well as in tailoring to help them become financially self-reliant. Similarly, through the Mai-Akwala Foundation, 120 young persons were empowered to set-up various small scale businesses at the new market and terminus areas of Jos North LGA, within the last two months. In furtherance of his humanitarian activities, through the Mai-Akwala Foundation, 200 persons within Jos North and environs are now proud owners of tricycle popularly known as Keke Napep, which they use for commercial transportation to earn decent livelihood. Also, through the Mai-Akwala Foundation about 200 young men and 150 young ladies have now set up barbing and hair dressing saloons within the city of Jos, North LGA.
It is equally important to note that the philanthropic gestures of Abubakar Mai-Akwala has transcended the boundaries of ethnic or religious affiliations, his magnanimity cuts across divide of primordial instincts, making him a house-hold name in the city of Jos.
In a chance meeting with Alhaji Abubakar Mai-Akwala on Sunday, January 31, 2021, during a function at the Crest Hotel, Jos, organised by Unity FM Radio, Mai-Akwala was asked by a journalist why he is in love with charity and philanthropic activities.
Mai-Akwala responded, “The government alone canno employ or cater for the needs of all and for that reason all responsible men and women who are at least comfortable should see the need to give back to the society”. He said religiously as a Muslim it is incumbent upon every man or woman to spend part of his or her wealth to alleviate poverty in the society and promote social harmony and address the gap existing between the haves and the have not in the society”. In conclusion, let me admonished other well meaning people of means to emulate the humanitarian gestures of the youngest philanthropist on the Plateau, so that Nigeria and the world at large would be a better place for all, irrespective of social and economic stratifications. I rest my case.
Bilal is MD Royal Publicity Publishing
Company, 8, Shendam
Street, Jos, Plateau state
08167989085
