Op-ed: Kwara Central thirsts for Saliu Mustapha’s Leadership

By Abdullahi Issa

“Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.” ~ Billy Graham

Courage is contagious. When coupled with compassion and selfless love, courage is a powerful contagion that distinguishes the authentic philanthropist whose generosity is based on the gravity of societal privation, from those who seek to support the most attractive causes du’ jour. The unrivaled philanthropic gesture of Mallam Saliu Mustapha, through his foundation, over a decade now, provides a wonderful opportunity to pay tribute to such philanthropists who, like the famed impact makers, political leaders, and conscious religious minds, embody the influential impact of courageous altruism.

In the 2000, in a case I would describe how my mother influenced my life. “When I was a kid, we would be in our little room and there would be a knock on the door almost every night with someone begging for food. Even though we didn’t have enough to eat, my mother always found something to give them. She said something to me that I will never forget. ‘A beggar must always give to another beggar that’s worse off than he is.’”

It seems Mallam Saliu Mustapha had drunk from the same clay pot as my mother; for he also champions the advice of my mother and became courageous philanthropist. Whether politically-incorrect or controversial a cause might have appeared, Mallam always focus on how he could be of immediate service to the less fortunate. In fact, among other charitable interests, Saliu Mustapha and his foundation championed a cause that was not chic to do so at the time of Covid-19. They courageously stepped forward and donated the necessary funds and relief items to help homeless and the hapless men and women, young and old in Ilorin and beyond. As a result, in recent time, Mallam Saliu Mustapha received the Emirate Chieftaincy role as the Turaki of Ilorin, for his global benevolent leadership.

Apart from his unassuming philanthropic accomplishments, his political ingenuity and zeal to bring succor to his people cannot be overemphasized. It is not a gainsaying, Mallam Saliu Mustapha leads the pack when it comes to checkmating Influentials in Nigeria with no skeletons in their cupboards. Saliu Mustapha is indeed, a clean and pious man of valor. Despite his opulent wealth, he is cleansed from corrupt politics and practices.

Apart from being an archetype of compassion, sacrifice, and comradeship, the man called Saliu MUSTAPHA embodies the ideals of courageous philanthropy and selfless political leader. Like a valiant gladiator who is willing to ransom himself for his fellow companions, the deeds of this courageous philanthropist are contagious in that he is based on seeing himself in the “face” of the “others”. He has been doing these over a decade long without being in elected office. Great!

This is the kind of philanthropic leadership that the Kwara Central requires today. Society thirsts for generous, visionary and community development individuals like Saliu Mustapha – who are not playing a role – but authentically expressing the qualities of love and service for their fellow human beings. Kwara Central needs this philanthropist and visionary honcho who is not driven by self-promotion, but by providing quality leadership and representation for all.

The time is here. Time to obey clarion call. It is time to have Mallam Saliu MUSTAPHA, the Turaki of Ilorin, as our next Senator to represent the great and good people of Kwara Central at the National Assembly.

Abdullahi Issa writes from Ilorin.