Good day sir. May we know you, sir?

Good day. My name is Aliyu Bello Ibrahim. I am the State Secretary of the African Largest Political Party, APC, in Nasarawa State, and a proud founder of the Aliyu Bello Charity Foundation, Lafia.

What was your inspiration for the establishment of Aliyu Bello Charity Foundation?

Thank you for that question. Actually, back then in 1996 to 1997, after the creation of Nasarawa State, some of us that were working at Plateau State as civil servants decided to come back home (Nasarawa State). When I came back to Nasarawa State, I decided to settle down a bit with my people at Rimi Uku. During that moment of sojourn, I was able to notice that most of the children in Rimi Uku were either dropouts or out-of-school children. Then I decided to go closer to the situation by engaging some of them in interaction. I came to realize that they were smart boys and girls whose parents lacked the financial ability to take them to school. And on the side of the children, they were eager to be in school. You know, they have this kind of zeal for academics. Therefore, I decided to start with few number of them; from my little earning as a civil servant, I paid their school fees. That was how the idea sprouted.

Again, apart from that, there was also the need to support our then baby state. My perception was that, since Nasarawa State was a baby state, we must have to come into play by rendering such support as regards the payment of school fees and other minor humanitarian assistance. So, in a nutshell, I picked it up from the idea of trying to help my immediate community, and then render a helping hand to my state.

What satisfaction do you drive when you help the less privileged?

My friends and family members can attest to this. I hate seeing someone in a problem. I hate seeing human being in a destitute position when there are ways we can help him as co-humans living together with him. Thus, whenever I render a helping hand to someone in dire need of it, I feel very happy and satisfied.

Is ABC Foundation in partnership with government, other NGOs, or individuals other than you?

I am the sole founder and funder of ABC Foundation. I use the little I have to run the affairs of the foundation. Anybody that gives anything to me, he gives it on other reasons, but not as a result of solicitation for an activity of the foundation.

Since you now have a database where records are kept, can you give us the account of those you have sponsored so far?

Yes, from 2013 to 2023 we have paid WAEC and NECO registration to not less than ONE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED AND EIGHTY FIVE (1,785) students. And we have registered about TWO THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED (2,900) students for Join Admission and Matriculation Board Examination (JAMB). The breakdown by date can be got from the coordinator, but I am sure this figure was the last update I got from the foundation.

Sir, is it that you are related to the beneficiaries or there is a set-out modality for the selection?

Out of 100% of the beneficiaries, I don’t know up to one percent of them. The modality for the selection, as I was also informed by the foundation’s coordinator, is based on need and the zeal foreseen in the student. More so, the foundation has pre-examination classes that the teachers there take students lessons on various subjects in order to prepare them ahead. In most cases, those who attended these classes with some levels of punctuality and seriousness are the ones considered for selection.

Sir, what later brought about social and humanitarian support in the ABC Foundation?

You know, going further, I was able to realize that educational supports are not the only needs of our society. There are individuals with other social needs that call for immediate attention and contribution. The orphans are there, widows are also there, and victims of natural disasters, persons displaced by crimes and crises, and so on and so forth. All of these people need assistance, and it is our collective responsibility to support the government’s efforts by dishing out the little we have to those we could.

Toing on this path, we created room for festive disbursement of relief items to widows, orphans, and the less privileged irrespective of religious and political divides. We also look at those whose medical bills are too high on them and clear them. We have started looking at the inmates in recent time. Supporting government in her effort of rehabilitating those sets of persons (the inmates) is now a project we have started, and we shall continue to do more, in-sha Allah.

What projection do you have for ABC Foundation?

My projection for the foundation is to continue to expand and cover more scope in terms of its activities and the number of persons (beneficiaries). Also, it is to see that those who benefited from the gesture of the foundation excel in life to render assistance that are going to be beneficial to persons they don’t only know.

Interviewer: Thank you for your time, sir. May Allah continue to bless, guide and guard your affairs.