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By Abdulkadir Salaudeen
It is apparent that Nigerian masses are massively dealt with. Our appeal to our rulers to let us breathe not only fell on deaf ears, it enrages our rulers the more. They spend billions, if not uncountable moneys, to acquire power. While seeking power, before any breaking news of catastrophe in any part of the country, they were there already to shed crocodile tears and donate huge sum of money to victims. Not because they care about these victims, but because these vulnerable and gullible victims automatically fell in love with them for their feigned generosity. Thus, these victims become electoral assets whose votes would later be harvested by these so-called generous politicians during election.
Now in power, it is time to recoup what they uncountably spent during campaign. They, therefore, inflict uncountable sufferings on innocent masses. Has anyone seen these politicians distributing consumables to the dying masses as palliative since the withdrawal of subsidy? This is not in their agenda. They are less concerned. A politician will rather say: “Die if you choose to”. “It is not election season; why should I give out to the vulnerable?” this is the mentality of an average Nigerian politician. While some few governors did come up with what looks like palliative to cushion the effect of these harrowing hardships, many are still hypocritically racking their brains, unnecessarily dragging their feet, on how to go about it. They keep advising the dying masses to be patient.
It is not shocking that our rulers choose to punish us—after all, we are used to it. What is shocking is that they suddenly stopped pretending that they are cruel, merciless, and conscienceless. They have openly identified as enemies of the masses. A manifestation of this—among many other manifestations—is the recent “holiday token for enjoyment” which I referred to in my article last week.
In the midst of all this, what troubles our president mostly is how to replant democracy on Niger Republic’s soil. I sensed it is to make it liveable for ex President Buhari who passed over the baton to him. Anyone with information about Buhari’s relocation to Niger? By now he should be envying President Tinubu who has significantly outdone him in subjecting the masses to an indescribable hardship and sinking them much more into the abyss of poverty and hunger. The seeds he sowed are germinating well—perhaps more than he expected. I think he should be happy. Or has anyone heard him say a word recently?
I am, at this critical juncture of our economic life, appealing to Nigerian billionaires to help arrest the death of the dying masses before hunger accompanies all of us unceremoniously to our graves. Many, who are yet visited by death, are crying of hunger. Many have chosen to die in silence. This is not about being in a job or jobless, many “losingly” not “gainfully” employed Nigerians are finding it difficult to understand the difference between being employed and being jobless. It practically, in some cases, makes no difference. When bus fare alone consumes all your N30, 000 minimum wage at the end of the month, you begin to envy your jobless neighbour who, for lack of job, could not labour in vain. It is this bad!
This is the time generosity is most appreciated and rewarded. Nigerian billionaires, and other categories of the well-to-do, should seize this opportunity to carve their names in gold by spending generously to ameliorate the general sufferings in the land. They should carve a golden niche for themselves by helping the poor out of hardship. By this, history shall be kind to them. This is not the time to brag about being the richest man in your village, your town, or your country. This is not the time to be the richest woman in Africa. This is not the time to compete in amassing wealth.
The concept of “richest man” or “richest woman” in Africa (or in the world) has never made any sense to me. It has never resonated with me. It is a worthless achievement that should not be celebrated in any sane society. What we should be celebrating is the “most generous” man or woman in our villages, in our communities, in our countries, etc. The wealth of the wealthy becomes useful and impactful when they generously spend it to help those in need. My dear Nigerian Billionaires, Christians or Muslims, theists or atheists, this is the time to act. This is the time to save face—I mean that of the government. The government has flatly failed and needs help. Join hands to indirectly help the government by directly helping the masses.
A philanthropist (name withheld) in Kano State reportedly shared his Zakkat to a large crowd few days ago. Zakkat is a yearly obligatory alms due from the wealth of a Muslim (male or female) whose wealth has reached a specific threshold and thus zakkatable. The man deserves our commendation for obeying Allah’s injunction especially at this point in time where people are in dire need. Less privileged people crowded the venue of distribution to get some amount of money ranging from N1, 000, N2, 000 to N5, 000 each. This unfortunately later led to stampede which resulted in the dead of one person. Many were injured and some fainted as reported. May God forgive the departed soul and heal the injured.
The lesson here: this is not how to dispense Zakkah. The mandatory yearly alms is not meant to be shared among the poor so that they can feed for one or two days. This is “almaajirization” of Zakkah. Rather, it is meant to pull people out of poverty. Let’s stretch our imagination to the nth degree, we shall all conclude that N1, 000, N2, 000 or N5, 000 can neither imaginably pull anyone out of poverty nor can it pay any serious debt, nor solve any serious financial problem which Zakkah is meant to address. Except perhaps when miracle happens, and the focus here is on reality. The rich among us should get it right when they give out obligatory annual alms (Zakkah).
We can take a clue from the Lekki Muslim Ummah (LEMU) and some organizations. It (LEMU), on Saturday, August 12, disbursed N80 million Zakkah proceeds to 400 beneficiaries. On the average, it means each beneficiary got N200, 000. This would be a great succour to beneficiaries and way meaningful than distributing peanuts to motley crowd haphazardly. LEMU showcases the fact that Zakkah is not about distributing money; it is about empowerment and eradication of poverty.
Did I just say an average beneficiary got N200, 000? That is not how it was distributed. While some beneficiaries were actually given money according to their needs, many got tools in form of business assets that can create more wealth like computers, grinding machines, chest freezers, generators, among others. This is the sound philosophy behind the institution of Zakkah in Islam; not the “almaajirization” of its distribution as is commonly witnessed which hasn’t the least potential to eradicate poverty.
Nigeria is blessed with wealthy people that, if well counselled by righteous and selfless clerics, can do great things with their wealth. By their generosity, people can do away with any government in a situation where the only art it masters is the art of steaming the poor in its extra large cauldron. The Kano philanthropist whose name I withheld above is, perhaps, not well advised on how best to help the poor with his wealth. Unfortunately, many are like him. I am using this medium to appeal to wealthy Nigerians to reach out to the masses. May the Merciful God show mercy to this philanthropist and the generous anywhere they are.
Abdulkadir Salaudeen
salahuddeenabdulkadir@gmail.com
