BY ADAMU YALWA GABI
Right from the time immemorial, Nigeria a country with more than three hundred and fifty (350) ethnic groups from different ethno religious dimension had made it`s way especially in the socio-economic perspective up to the time when peoples under 40years of age like me (the writer) came across people “THE BUZAYE`S” from Niger republic trooping into the Northern parts of Nigeria and in their large numbers with camels carrying “POTTASH” for the exchange of goods and services known as “TRADE BY BARTER”.
These camel riders turn out to witness different style of looks from people especially the villagers who hardly came to the cities to see “HOLD UP” as a result of traffic congestion or even their fellow human beings moving “HELTER-SKELTER” to earn a living.
Not only boy`s or girl`s, the young or adult, even house wives or our grandmothers who had earlier came in contact with the “BUZAYE`S” for years still behave in such a way as if is their first time of seeing them by mounting their natural cameras “EYES” on the ancient muddy or clay walls from their respective houses to see for themselves each time “THEIR BELL HAS RANG” instead of waiting to hear the story from others that were opportune to be at the “OUTDOORS” not a particular house wives that could take a long time before allowed to step outside their matrimonial homes by been “INDOORS ALWAYS” if not of a strong reason like death of a relatives, neighbours, ill condition among others.
The secret or rational behind the trade by barter was for the “BUZAYE`S” from the neighbouring “NIGER REPUBLIC” to give out heir “POTTASH” called “KANWA” in Hausa or “KAUN” in Yoruba which they have in abundance for the exchange of money or grains like millet, corn, and guinea corn for them to “DIVE OUT FROM THE RIVER HUNGER”.
Moreover, on how the devasting effect of the Global Corona Virus Pandemic had negatively affected the socio economic policy and “TERRAIN” of my father land “NIGERIA” even with the “GIANT STRIDE” of the “PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI`S ADMINISTRATION” which had established the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, disaster management and social development manned by a dedicated and hard working Minister Sadiya Umar Faruq first of it kind in the history of the nation shortly after he was sworn for his second term in office on the 29th May 2019 not knowing it was like a “MIRACLE” that the said ministry would impact positively on the lives of the citizenry which it did during the “COVID-19 PANDEMIC” few months after it establishment through provision of palliative such as food items like rice, maize, spaghetti, detergent and what have you to caution the effect of the lock down occasioned by the deadly disease.
Though, the said items were anticipated and believed to have been shared judiciously and in large quantity without compromise to all the thirty-six States of the federation including FCT Abuja but some of the State Governors were responsible for “DIVERSION” and “UNTIMELY RELEASE” of the items to the beneficiaries which could be seein as a mere attempt to ridicule the image of the “BABA BUHARI`S” effort in the “EYES OF HIS MASSES”. “I SAY NEMESIS WILL CATCH THEM YOUNG ON YOUR BEHALF MR. PRESIDENT” and to the Minister Sadiya Umar Faruq, “A JOB WELL DONE MAMA”.
However, fortunately for all Nigerians, the international business tycoon and a philanthropist Alh. Abdulsamad Isyaku Rabi`u CON, one of the Africa`s leading industrialist since 1970`s had shown an exemplary commitment, patriotism, Sympathy, kindness and infact love for every one in the whole of our dear country “NIGERIA” during the trying period and even beyond in due course.
Abdulsamad, the founder of the “BUA GROUP”, a Company that produced so many products ranging from cement production, sugar refining and real estate developer, deserved commendation not only from ordinary Nigerian, our elites, international community but those of us in the “PEN PROFESSION” simply for not increasing the prices of his commodities nor allowing his dealers to effect the sudden rise of price at a time when our traders were busy celebrating the lock down to increase price of their essential commodities not only to their “NEW CUSTOMERS BUT EVEN THE OLD TIMERS”.
Similarly, Apart from not given room for any of his dealers to add a single “DIME” on the commodities purchased, he served them with a “STRONG WARNING THAT ANY ONE FOUND WANTING IN THAT ACT” would no longer be allowed to buy from his company by seizing his licence. Indeed, it is a good humanitarian effort which ought to be emulated by your remaining counterparts irrespective of any religious or tribal affiliations.
Meanwhile, similar sanction was said to have been applied by the “BUSINESS MOGUL” during the recently concluded “RAMADAN FASTING” which ended on Wednesday 12 May, 2021 where almost all of our petty traders, retailers and the wholesalers took advantage of the “HOLY MONTH” not only to seeik for ALLAH`S blessings, favour and forgiveness but this time to make huge money within the thirty days of the holy month of Ramadan far beyond the remaining three hundred and thirty five days of the Gregorian calendar not the lunar calendar.
He equally provided a lots of face masks to both the Federal and State Governments as a donation as well as vehicles, hospital equipments and constructed isolation centres to prevent contracting the dreaded disease which had so far resurfaced to the second wave globally.
In conclussion, no any religion among the most popular and acceptable two, “ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY” in both the holy books of “QUR`AN AND BIBLE”. Has allowed or welcome a non sympathetic action to man kind as the living thing and even the non living thing or any form of inhuman in our day to day endeavours, business or occupation.
At this juncture, my prayer is that other wealthy individuals like the “DANGOTE`S AND MIKE ADENUGA`S”. should copy or put the same “CAP ALH. ABDULSAMAD RABI`U” is wearing. ABDULSAMAD; IS TRUE THAT “HE WHOM THE CAP FITS, LET HIM WEAR IT”. SO CONTINUE WEARING THE SAME CAP.
Adamu Yalwa Gabi is a graduate of Quantity Surveying from ATBU, Bauchi.
08033990884
adamumgabi@gmail.com
