ATIKU: PHILANTHROPY WITHOUT BORDERS

*** Chief Anthony Onwuka, Ph.D - Writes from Abuja ***

 

It was the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who once said, "The children of the poor you failed to train (educate) will never let your children have peace." According to Benjamin Franklin, "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." These postulations, which have remained incontestable till date, may have inspired former Vice President Atiku Abubakar GCON, who continues to educate brilliant but indigent students on a regular basis even when the cost of education continues to spike.

 

Isn't it rather ironic that a man who was born into a family whose father was opposed to the idea of Western education and tried to keep him out of the traditional school system, could so passionately display deep-rooted love for education to the extent of awarding university scholarships to not just students from his home state but across the length and breadth of Nigeria. 

 

This passion it could be said also motivated this erstwhile Nigeria's number two citizen to build a World-class University in his home state of Adamawa which he graciously donated to be managed by his community, in addition to other community schools that have served as training ground for thousands for students from the area.

 

To ensure there won't be any lacuna after his departure from this plane as per the ownership and management of the Frontline institution, Atiku Abubakar during the 20th anniversary of the university re-echoed this gesture when he said: "I have informed my children that they can't inherit the American University of Nigeria, (AUN) because I have already donated it to Nigeria to serve as benefit to all Nigerians". Such love for humanity is heavenly and a very rare feat from a politician.

 

The declaration of a weeklong of activities aptly labelled "Atiku Abubakar Week of Service" in commemoration of his birthday has enabled this God sent leader to reach out to several families.

 

At the last year's edition of the week, which featured a line-up of activities, twelve lucky students were awarded scholarships from primary, secondary. first degree up to PhD. level. The students who are largely from Ganye Local Government Area of Adamawa State include: Shafa'atu Hashimu of Ganye 1 Primary School, Aliyu Mohammed Hayatu of Ganye IV Primary School, Habibu Hamza of Buwangal Primary School, Kingsley Samson of Sangassumi Primary School, Suworari Manasseh of Government Junior Secondary School, Ganye, and Intuwa Stephen of Best Centre, Ganye.

 

Others are Lamiu Dauda of Government Day Secondary School, GRA, Ganye, Bilkisu Modibbo Tijjani of Atiku Abubakar Model Islamiyya, Ganye, Aliyu Abubakar of Government Day Secondary School, Sangassumi, Zainab Abdullahi of Government Day Secondary School, Old Market, Saudatu Aliyu of Sanjo Fulani Normadic Primary School and Ahmadu Bello of Kananue Fulani Normadic Primary School.

 

The Waziri Adamawa is a man who never forgets what he learned and is very much aware of the many challenges of insecurity, banditry, and other forms of criminality facing most Northern states which are attributed to illiteracy. Hence, just so that his children will be allowed to live peacefully, he has spared no effort in constantly educating his kinsmen and other Nigerian children for as the saying goes: "an idle mind is the devil's workshop".

 

Atiku Abubakar is a quintessential statesman, a patriot of high value. His resolve to separate the American University of Nigeria (AUN) from his children's inheritance shows not only his nobility but his humanity. By bequeathing AUN to his community, he demonstrated a conscious realization that the only way to defy death is to continue to live on the lips of men.

 

If, as a private citizen, Atiku has shown such robust support to education, one therefore wonders what the country's education system would look like should he emerge the country's president. A well-known maxim says, "a chick that would grow into a cock is known right from infancy". Atiku Abubakar is on a mission to rescue Nigeria and would not be distracted like others. All he needs now is your support to make this happen.

 

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!