It’s not a crime for a man to reveal his acts of charity, as it may be done with good intentions so as to encourage others with the means or to pass a sounding message to the generation coming behind; for them to understand that charity is a virtue that must be upheld. But it’s uncommon to find those few men who conceal their acts of charity, reaches out to those who needs help silently, extend a helping hand to the poor, and puts a smile on people’s faces through selfless acts of philanthropy.
There is no compulsion in giving charity, because it is indeed a loan given to God, and he alone can reward a philanthropist. But as humans, all we can do is to encourage them to do more, as the desire to promote the welfare of others who aren’t ones kinsmen, brethren, family members, or friends is an act of benovelence, altruism, magnanimity, munificence, and great social concern. The major driving force of philanthropy, overtime, is the “love of humanity”, and thus; this is exactly the propeller of Hakeem Oladimeji Lawal (HOL), a man I would define as the ‘Famous Unknown Patriot’.
I might have forgotten the date and time, but the venue was in a sitting room at the Admiralty villa in company of two (2) of my best allies. We were young guys with no restrictions when the opportunity to speak the gospel truth to the faces of our political class crops up, and when it doesn’t, we have never hesitated to make use of the singing-dancing pen to push for a factory reset; for the power of the pen is said to be greater than the power of the sword, and past events have actually proven that. We greeted him warmly and thereafter crystallised into political discussion, and we didn’t waste time in challenging him on quite a number of issues, some of which includes his vision for Kwara state, his philanthropic gestures, some allegations we’ve heard about his person, among other salient issues which are personal.
Quite impressively, Alhaji Hakeem Lawal’s responses to the questions bordering on his vision for Kwara were brilliantly answered. Hakeem Oladimeji Lawal (HOL) said his vision for the State is a developed, educationally advanced and independent Kwara, which immediately attracted my mind and made me paid more attention, like other time when anyone mentions education, my attention you have, for education still remains the most vital sector that we need to fix in the harmonious State of Kwara; which I believe, once that is fixed, every other thing would fall in place.
He continued by saying that he has a mission to make sure that Kwara is placed on the world map of excellence, and to ensure that the education and skills garnered from years of training and human capital development would be used to ignite the fire of people-oriented politics in the State. After listening to this very response, I can unequivocally say without fear or favour that such a vision is worthy of emulation by all politicians in the State irrespective of political affiliations.
After an intermittent but productive hours of discussion, I deduced that Hakeem Oladimeji Lawal (HOL) is no stranger to charity and philanthropy. In fact, he used to dedicate a big chunk of his fortune to philanthropy whilst doing everything possible to avoid limelight or court media attention.
In his words: “I believe as a Muslim that whatever I do to help people should be between myself, them, and God, it’s not supposed to be bared open in the public”.
My friend and companion that night had jokingly told him that he’s not fit to be a politician and has no business in politics if he doesn’t want to court the media and seek attention for his philanthropic gestures, stressing that people would see him as not doing anything to advance the course of the people. He was right!
The famous but ‘Unknown’ patriot, Alh. Hakeem Lawal prefers to unobtrusively clear medical bills for poor families, provide scholarship funds for indigent students to aid their academics aspirations, gives financial support to the elderly people in the society, empowering artisans with tools, implements, and machines needed to work, and a huge contribution to religious activities, without bias to a certain religion. All these, quite surprisingly, he had done at one point or the other, and he made sure that “headline-grabbing” habits was a scarce occurrence, almost an impossibility.
He mentioned, when really troubled and pestered, quite a lot of philanthropic gestures which he had carried out over the years, but as youths who has genuine concerns on Education and Human Capital Development, some of those things put me in awe, humbled me, and encouraged me to do more when I’m in a position to do such. Parts of these includes facilitating of CISCO training for 1000 persons in the 36 states and FCT, with over 100 Kwarans being beneficiaries of such a good human capital development scheme. Those that knows the financial and economic worth of CISCO program would understand much better, while he also created avenues for them to get employment immediately after the program. Amazing!
Another amazing feat of the Famous Unknown Patriot is the sponsorship of full scholarship of 100 Kwarans spread across the sixteen (16) local governments at the Pan African College of Education; a three (3) year program at about 90,000 naira per annum. It’s common knowledge that University first degrees are rampant with less value, this silent philanthropist gives scholarships for both PGDE and Masters degree so that Kwarans can be at an higher advantage in the labour market. These also totally differs from the periodic and frequent settlement of school fees of students from various tertiary institutions.
Needless should I talk on his various empowerment schemes for women, the procurement of sewing machines, grinding machines, and other implements for the women folks. He’s a man who also values relationship and comradeship. To have bought five (5) new cars for his personal assistants and aides without the whole world knowing about it speaks volumes about a man who prefers to silently make impacts on the lives of those around him!
Hakeem Oladimeji Lawal (HOL) makes me remember the Indonesian tycoon and billionaire, Ang Tjoen Ming (commonly known as Tahir) and his style of philanthropy, more men like Hakeem and Tahir are exactly what a society like ours require!
Well, since my meeting with Hakeem Oladimeji Lawal (HOL), I’ve become “Holistically HOLite”. May this state have the grace to feel and enjoy his candour and administrative brilliance sometime.
Issa Mutolib Ayobami popularly known as Megabyte writes from Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
Mail: iammegabyte@gmail.com
