Early this week, Sunday 23rd of March, it was a colorful event, one gilded with encomiums and cheers, at Government Day Secondary School Amule, where a sizable number of selected individuals were enclothed with fabrics of honorary awards that were laden with a cash prize as a corroborated reward, a show of gratitude for their selfless community services which no one has recognized over time. The event, widely described as unprecedented was one that changed the prevalent narrative of award presentation. It’s generally known that people lobby to get awards and it usually comes with a bidding price, and the bidder gets it. However, it was a new dawn, a distinctive path different from how it was being done, and a complete departure from the past of how society accords awards with discrimination.
Interestingly, Alhaji Abdullateef Bibire, through his foundation, ABF did it differently. In the awards presentation during the Ramadan Lectures/Iftar by Abdullateef Bibire Foundation (ABF), the awardees were not only presented with symbolic awards but also with cash rewards in further recognition of their contributions to the progress of their various communities. Instead of extorting the awardees of their hard-earned resources, the Abdullateef Bibire Foundation rather surprised them with an unimaginable cash prize, catching them uninformed, and bulging their minds to reflect on their past actions that have earned them this spectacular celebration of excellence.
Not only the awardees who were flabbergasted but also the general audience who came out in numbers to celebrate them, marveling at the stellar way of celebrating these individuals. They were all in awe!
Without a traceable history of politics or tribalism, the awardees were picked from Okelele, Ibagun ward, and its neighboring communities such as Gambari, and were selected based on their antecedent commitment to the community advancement, especially those who dedicated their time and energy to the cause of Almighty Allah(religion), education, security, and similar track records.
This astonishing occasion, according to the coordinator of ABF, Alhaji Abdulwasiu Oladimeji, is openly said to be annual, a continual way of identifying and celebrating our patriots.
This creative idea is not new to those who know and study Alhaji Abdullateef Bibire, as his concept is always about his community and its people and what to offer his community as a way of contributing his quota.
Different from other regular philanthropists, whenever he wants to design an avenue to support people, as an exemplary leader, he always consults his team and the frequent questions he throws at his team members are, “What can we do to make people smile?” what do you think we can do to impact the lives of our people?” “Please suggest an initiative to uplift people’s burdens”.
He never asked, ‘What can we do to make people praise us?’ or ‘Let’s do something that will keep people talking about me.’
A closer study of those questions, the former(s) and the latter(s), will afford you a clearer picture of their different meanings and who is Alhaji Abdullateef Bibire, and what he stands for.
He’s one special among other philanthropists and politicians. One made distinguished to make a difference in the sphere of politics and humanity. Before anything, his ideology is humanity driven—-his compassion knows no bounds, and he values human capital development just like he cherishes community, an attestation credentialed by Senator Saliu Mustapha through his executive assistant, Barrister Abdulkareem Alabi, who ably represented him during ABF’s Ramadan Lectures And Awards Presentation.
Impressed by the outlook of the event, Mallam Saliu Mustapha, the Turaki Ilorin and senator representing Kwara Central who’s equally famous for his uncompetitive community contribution and human-building initiative, also celebrated the awardees in a grand style in a display of support for the ABF’s innovation. He donated a heavy amount of money to add to the cash given by Alhaji Abdullateef Bibire.
Alaanun Mekunun(masses sympathizer), as he’s fondly called, the distinguished Mallam Saliu Mustapha, beyond his constituency, continues to win the hearts of the good people of Kwara through his intentional goodwill and his pursuit of betterment for the masses.
His representation at the
The upper Chamber of the National Assembly is characterized by his unrelenting efforts to bring changes to his constituency and ensure dividends of democracy to every Nigerian. He’s a senator with unprecedented achievements within a short time in office. Indeed, Kwara made a discerning choice to elect him(may he succeed).
Going forward, the political philosophy of Alhaji Abdullateef Bibire is one that’s architected to make an impact in people’s lives, and his political journey, if studied well, can be said to be about bringing opportunity to his community and his team.
In his home ward, Ibagun, the radiating light of his kind gesture has not only lightened the lives of the less privileged but also transformed them into celebrated ones. Flapping beyond Okelele, his wings of philanthropy are extending to other parts of the state and beyond, an exquisite gesture that is spread without discrimination.
Through his foundation, Abdullateef Bibire Foundation(ABF), he has initiated several live-touching programs that have directly impacted the lives of the masses. Through education, health, empowerment, and a host of other outreaches, including the recently distributed ramadan packages, Alhaji Abdullateef has continued to make history, and his sustainable achievements are unprecedented. The impacts the ABF has made in the lives of people portrays her as if she’s been around for decades and she has taken a front row in terms of touching lives.
An exemplary leader and philanthropist like him deserves a supporting hand to uplift our communities, for her progress and transformation.
What wonders one most is that he’s doing this while he’s not physically present in the country, but his deliberate intention, strong passion for impact, and point-able legacy drive his decision and action. I wonder what if he’s physically with us, the unimaginable difference he would be making.
Uniquely, all his initiatives are only empathy-based because he’s not seeking any political office, not any time soon. This is someone who has been offered many political offices, but he chose to continue expending his hard-earned resources to touch lives. A true reflection of his desire to make a difference.
Alhaji Abdullateef Bibire is one unique philanthropist who prioritizes community services and invests in human capital development.
Let’s all hail Alhaji Abdullateef Bibire,
Let’s all hail his achievements,
And let’s all hail his steadfastness to identify with the masses!!!
Mustapha Sulyman Oluwatofunmi is the media head of the Abdullateef Bibire Foundation(ABF).
