Atiku: A man of far-reaching hand of philanthropy, by Rotary International

Know yourself. An unexamined life is not worth living. I am not an Athenian or a Greek. I am a citizen of the world – Socrates
In the life of every man, there comes a time when the individual looks inwards in search of certain elements that define our core values. Psychologists and philosophers both agree on the inevitability of that period of self-discovery.
According to a renowned psychologist, Sigmund Freud, in his theory of psychoanalysis, humans go through stages of psychological evolutions from infancy to adulthood, and that conflict between the conscious and the unconscious experiences of life eventually helps in determining an individual’s mental and social development.
It derives, therefore, that an individual’s early experiences may shape or influence our core values and define who we are.
For an individual like the former vice-president of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, his early life experience did not afford him a spoon with silver lining.
Having lost his father at the tender age of 6, Atiku knew full well, the weight of widowhood which his mother had to carry to support him through childhood. He also probably knew that one act of philanthropy can make a huge difference in the life a family in dire need.
So, it is not surprising that what can be regarded as Atiku’s first public display of public spiritedness is the house he built for his mother at the age of 26.
And, like the African adage which says that charity begins at home, Atiku’s kind gesture to his mother laid a foundation for a large network of philanthropic activities touching several areas of human endeavours.
Both in Nigeria and overseas, the name Atiku Abubakar has become a brand in the area of philanthropy – directly or indirectly – touching lives of millions of people in every corners of the world.
From health to education, support to victims of natural disasters to providing employment to thousands of families – there is no doubt that Atiku Abubakar shares the same thoughts with the Egyptian business magnate, Mohamed Al-Fayed, when the latter said, “I will continue to distribute blankets, sleeping bags, warm clothing and food on a regular basis, in the hope that my modest efforts will give some comfort to those people we are able to help.”
With his willing hands of help, Atiku Abubakar has transformed lives of millions of people on earth and he is always in search of any opportunity to do much more.
His firm belief that education holds the key to unlocking the bondage of poverty and misery made him become the biggest investor in education in Nigeria.
The prestigious America University of Nigeria which he founded and supports with annual subvention of Three Million Dollars remains a model for global-standard university education in Nigeria. This is in addition to his scholarship award programmes to hundreds of indigent students across the country.
Apart from being the highest private employer of labour in his home state of Adamawa, Atiku Abubakar also has key business investments in all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria, providing employment and supporting thousands of families.
In collaboration with international bodies like the Rotary Club, Atiku is championing the fight to end polio in Nigeria and Africa at large. He has also been giving financial grants and other forms of support to medical research institutions in Nigeria and overseas to advance further research in tackling diseases like cancer, diabetes and others.
In 2011, in recognition of his philanthropic activities in Africa, Atiku Abubakar was the recipient of the Global Citizen Award by the American Peace Corps – an award targeted at individuals who display uncommon courage in promoting peace and development in their immediate communities.
Although born in a remote village of Jada in Adamawa State, Atiku Abubakar’s far-reaching hands of compassion and philanthropy has left an unforgettable imprint in the lives of millions of people, and it is not in doubt that this giant son of Africa indeed, like Socrates who believed that knowledge should not be kept exclusively in Athens, is a citizen of the world.
Being the citation of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar at the 4th District 9125 Conference of the Rotary Club in Abuja, recently.