ABDULSAMAD RABIU: PROBITY IN CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY.

By Bala Ibrahim

When I heard the news that, Abdulsamad Rabiu, the chairman of BUA Group of companies, has donated the sum of one billion naira to help in the fight against the corona pandemic, I wasn't surprise in the slightest, because I heard a lot about him and his background. For starters, he came from a family that is governed by the Islamic moral principles.

In Islam, morality involves the concept of righteousness and the character of good behavior, particularly the love for God and his creatures. Those with good Islamic culture, tend to be very humane to fellow Human beings. His action has proven that virtue.

As the son of the late Sheik and Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu, a man that was deeply religious and a businessman per excellence, it is not surprising or unexpected, that Abdulsamad Rabiu, exhibited the inherent qualities or characteristics of people with pity and piety, and not that of a proprietor that is only interested in profit.

That one billion naira gesture, is a good example of support from a person with sympathy for the welfare of others, particularly those that are faced by a misfortune of pandemic proportion. It is better to give for the collective good of the society, than individual benefit, no matter the plight of the individual.

In business, Corporate social responsibility aims to contribute to the goals of the society, through philanthropic or charitable contributions. Such ambitions are pursued with extraordinary passion, where the principal partner in the business happens to be pious, because he would always place public solace ahead of corporate payback. Abdulsamad's gesture is a demonstration of probity in corporate social responsibility.

According to the annual assessment of wealth and assets of march 2020, compiled and published by the Forbes magazine, the net worth of Abdul Samad Isyaku Rabiu, is $2.9bn. This is far below the net worth of Aliko Dangote, the celebrated industrialist and richest black man, whose net worth by the Forbes magazine, is estimated to be US$8.1 billion.

I chose to single out and eulogize Abdulsamad Rabiu among all the contributors, because his was the first to be announced, despite the fact that he is not the one mentioned as the richest. Also, because I have heard many good things said about his public bias philanthropy. Some even said, other donors were gingered to give, after he made his pledge. I see the action as a show of morality in corporate social responsibility. He has placed the public above individuals.

The president was particularly elated by the contribution of Mr. Abdulsamad and other members of the coalition against Covid-19, and he was quick to commend them. In a statement by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, the President lauded the members of the Coalition, namely; Aliko Dangote, Abdulsamad Rabiu, Femi Otedola, Tony Elumelu, Herbert Wigwe, Según Agbaje and Jim Ovia of UBA, Access, GTB, and Zenith Banks, respectively, for contributing N1 billion each.

It is philantrophic contributions like these that would bail the country out and bring succor to those in difficulty. The corona pandemic is an unprecended challenge, not just to Nigeria, but the world as a whole. It should be used as a litmus test for the conscience of our business men and the advantaged members of the society.

Sometimes back, I visited a pen friend who had a fire incident in her house. To my surprise, the house turns out to be a mansion. Everything in the house was burnt to ashes, except the block work and six copies of the Quran, that were placed in different rooms. The house was undergoing renovation when I arrived. I said to her, I thought you are a poor journalist like me. How come you are living in a palace like this? She said I may be poor, but I was married to a billionaire by name Abdulsamad Rabiu, the chairman of the BUA Group of companies. She said good things about him, very good things, in fact glowingly excellent. She narated the miracle of how the copies of the Quran escaped the fire, despite being in the house. She praised Allah the most high, and gave special thanks to Abdulsamad Rabiu, for coming to the rescue, after giving her the house, and I think, some of the Quran.

May Allah continue to help such people that come to the aid of people in distress, as well as putting Public plight and interest, above the personal gains of individuals or the corporate benefit of their businesses. Ameen.