LAWAL MOHAMMED GUSAU is an indigene of Zamfara State. I was born on the 13^th November, 1969 and hailed from Gusau in Zamfara State. I started my Qur’anic education in an ancient Islamic school of late Mal. Musa Gurgu’s House, Tudun Wada, Gusau. As at that time, there were only two Islamic/Quranic Schools in Gusau. At the age of 13, I had completely memorized the Holy Quran.

During the regime of Olusegun Obasanjo, I was one of the first set of pupils to be enrolled into LEA Primary School, Tudun Wada, close to Army Children School, Gusau, Zamfara State. The said Qur’anic school is still functional and graduating a lot of Islamic scholars. Since my childhood years, I have been very hard working whereby I engaged in petty activities that will yield income for the upkeep of my family and those around me. At my later years, precisely 1977 – 1978, I learnt carpentry works (Furniture) from one Hussaini Paki, who was brought to Gusau by late Alh. Yuguda Gusau – a father to former Minister of Finance, Amb. Bashir Yuguda. We manufacture befitting executive chairs in commercial quantity.

 

The said personality has actively engaged himself in different spheres of life ranging from politics, security matters, human right activist to religious and business cycles.

 

He was an active participant in the transition from the military to civilian regime during the 1999 military handing over to the civilians.

 His relevance was and is still being acknowledged and appreciated at all levels in this our great country. His contributions are mostly on self-willed basis, who frowns at any form of injustice, dishonesty, corruption and oppression of the weak. Filled with the zeal to ensure that each and every person is treated with fairness, this personality, in his quest to actualize his dream, participated in numerous cases aimed at addressing this critical issue. Some notable cases among them are:

1.        A case against Ibrahim Rufai Alias Deezel defending Maryam Booth for the enforcement of her fundamental Human Right in Suit No. FH/KD/15/12/2020, which is still ongoing.

 

2.        A letter written to Zubairu Dalhatu Malami in respect of his unpleasant statement after the wedding of Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd.) the incumbent Controller General of Customs.

 

3.        A case against Maryam Yahaya for her nonchalant attitude towards her loving fan in person of Mohammad Gashua in Suit No. FH/KD/CS/45/2020.

 

4.        A letter addressed to the chairman EFCC requesting for an urgent intervention in an issue involving Hajiya Fati Mazangari and some Pensioners, dated 10^th April, 2012. (Matter still pending in court).

 

5.        An i-pad message from an email of Lawal Mohammed Gusau to the Group Managing Director of UBA in a case involving Rockbridge Energy Limited, a company belonging to Late Alhaji Jamilu Adamu Golden over the Company’s indebtedness to the bank, dated August 17, 2015.

 

6.        A case involving Hajiya Hussaina Abdullahi Sarki Surajo Vs. Dalhatu Abdullahi over inheritance of an Estate, Expensive cars, filling Stations and other properties worth billions of Naira belonging to Late Sarki Surajo by the said Dalhatu Abdullahi of the same family.

 

7.        A case involving Mohammed Lawal Gusau Vs. (1) Kano State Government Liaison office Kaduna, (2) Ahmed Mohammed Fagge and (3) The Registrar, Rent Tribunal Court 1 Ministry of Justice Kaduna State dated 28^th January, 2014 in which the then Hon. Justice T. Zailani quashed the case and judgment was delivered in my favour. This success is solely attributable to God with the active suport of the incumbent IGP Mohammed Adamu Abubakar when he was then the DCP, Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Kaduna. Based on the ample evidence presented, he, the IGP refused to endorse on a memo which he strongly suspected did not emanate from the court. It was based on the recommendations of the Police, the then Hon. Justice T. Zailani acted on police recommendation and the case went down in my favour. (Copies of my inventory are hereby attached). A celebrated and won case.

 

9.        A case between Zubairu Dan-Abdulkadir Global Resources Vs. Unity Bank over a facility advanced to the company in the sum of N10,000,000.00 which later accumulated to the tune of N130,000,000.00 as interest of the bank. I greatly assisted the said company by way of petitioning same to the EFCC and later, I wrote to the Group Managing Director of Unity Bank Plc. Based on our petition to the Group Managing Director of the bank, some dishonest staff of the bank who conducted their acts without following the due process were dismissed. This matter is still pending in the court. The said dismissed bank officials sold the said Filling Station to one Murtala Sabitu at the sum of N70,000,000.00 in a fraudulent manner, a transaction which the said Murtala Sabitu could not defend.

 

Lastly, if I should dedicate my entire life and all what I possess in the course of humanity, a struggle which I started since 1995 in Lagos, when I was with the then late Minister of Communication, Dr. Ibrahim Tahir (Talban Bauchi) of blessed memory and the late Dr. Yusuf Bala Usman, a father to Hadiza Bala – M.D. Nigerian Ports Authority, (now enjoying the blessings of her parents) and Engr. Buba Galadima and the Head of Media Trust in person of Munnir Dan’ali – BBC reporter then. Our stay with these important personalities paved way for me to develop the love of struggle for the less privileged.

 

It is also on record that the said icon, a philanthropist, has immensely contributed in elevating the living standard of teaming less privileged members of the society. His wealth has touched the lives of so many people whether directly or indirectly.

Some of his greatest achievements include:

 

1.        A founder of an International Islamic School in Gusau, Zamfara State with the school name as Ma’ahad Wa Masjid Li Marhoom Mohammed Lawal Gusau conceived since 1998 with CAC registration number CRBM1149600. 

 

2.        Walma Furniture Ventures: Joined since 1987 and formally registered  with CAC in 2006.

 

3.        Namandi Ventures: As the Managing Director of the company since 2005.

 

4.        Maroon Brass Petroleum Refining Company Ltd (A Subsidiary of WADIA International Corporation:            As the Director, Inter-Governmental Affairs.

 

FACING CHALLENGES OF LIFE:

Life is full of challenges. But we continue to do our best to face those challenges. A brief History of Aliko Dangote illustrates this ideology. The year 1977 was very significant in the life of Nigeria as a nation, but more so in the life of young Aliko, Nigeria was seventeen years old as an independent nation. After a bloody civil war during the Nigeria-Biafra War of 1967-1970 – four years after political independence from Britain, and a coup d’etat on January 15, 1966, and another counter coup six months later, Nigeria seemed to be lurching from one military regime to the other: (Major-General Aguiyi Ironsi regime of January 15, 1966 – July 1966; General Yakubu Gowon (1967 – 1975), and General Murtala Ramat Muhammad (1975 – 1976). The baton of military power changed from General Murtala Ramat Muhammad who was assassinated in an abortive coup on February 13, 1976 to General Olusegun Obasanjo that replaced the slain general, General Obasanjo decided to change the face of the Nigerian infrastructural landscape through massive injection of government funds into the road construction, bridges, modern highways, and housing. The height of the government public expenditure occurred between June 1976 and June 1977, when the military regime decided to host the world in a cultural re-awakening of all black peoples of the world known as; “World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture” or Festac.

 

It was during this period that young Aliko – 20 year old business man had his break. He approached his maternal grandfather, Mr. Sanusi Dantata for a loan to enable him import cement into Nigeria for some of the construction works going on at the Festac Village in Lagos and aftermath of the jamboree. Aliko Dangote explained how he became a part of the business elite of the event, before and after. “For me, I started small as a trader in cement. Then I left cement around 1978. Because there was this armada and cement was very difficult to get at that time. I had my own money, which my grandfather gave me free, but then he gave me also an additional loan of N500,000 which was big money in those days. With N500,000 in those days, you could buy yourself hen Mercedes Benz cars. Mercedes Benz car then was N5,000 naira. I am talking about Nigeria in the year 1978. Volkswagen Beetle was sold at N900 to N1,000. It was a substantial amount of money then. It was a loan that I was supposed to pay whenever I was okay – probably after three years or four years. But I paid the money (the loan) back within six months”.

 

I, Lawal Mohammed Gusau also faced a lot of uncountable challenges. I could vividly remember during my tender age when I was single-handedly removed from school, in the midst of my relatives in the early 1980s. The idea was to deprive me of western education and to blur my future. But despite this ugly development, I continued going to the school silently and when I was discovered attending the school, I was later chained. I underwent all these challenges for the sake of my obedience to parents.

 

Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, in his Book: My Vision: Challenges in the Race for Excellence stated as follows:-

“In today’s fast-paced world, if you are not leading, you will be left behind. If you fall behind, it is likely that someone less capable, less creative and less prepared than you take your place. Although this can happen very quickly, the race is also one of endurance. Should you stumble once or twice, do not worry, you can learn valuable lessons from falling occasionally and will be unlikely to repeat the same mistakes. Failure is not falling to the ground; it is remaining there once you once you have fallen and the greatest failure is when you decide not to stand up again”.

 

In the struggle to become a man and to become independent, I had the cause at a time to traverse the entire city of Lagos by trekking. I had also travelled on vehicles loaded with animals over long distances from Zamfara to Lagos.

 

My first destination and place of abode in Lagos was house No. 152, Hebert Macaulay Street, Ebute Meta, Lagos. This house has historical significance being the first house that hosted the great Islamic Scholar and Tijjaniya Sufi Order Leader in 1988. From that house, I got to know many eminent personalities; such as Sarki Dogara of blessed memory, Alh. Kallah Bukur Jos, Sarki Kabiru (Sarkin Hausawan Ebute Meta (of blessed memory, Alh. Inuwa Masallaci, Late Alh. Danjuma Aminchi (Sarkin Yakin Izala Bidi’a Wa Ikamatis Sunnah (late), ABM Baban Manu Gombe, Late Alh. Tsoho Abdullahi Zaria, Justice Dangoggo Bungudu (former Chief Judge, Northern Region), Alh. Tanko Makama (Sarkin Hausan Agege), Late Alh. Garba Koko (Garkuwan Koko and First FCT Minister), Late Alh. Umaru Shinkafi (Marafan Sokoto), Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (Rtd), Gen. Muhammed Magoro (Galadiman Zuru), Gen. Aliyu Muhammad Gusau, Late Gen. Musa Bamaiyi, IGP M. D. Abubakar (Rtd.), Mallam Tijjani Dagazau and a host of others.

 

All these personalities and other leaders too numerous to mention, have played positive roles in the lives of Northerners and history will never forget them.

 

May Allah (SWT) grant those who passed on eternal rest and may He grant good health to those alive.

 

A MAN FOR ALL REASONS

It is not the critic who counts; nor the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the door of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumphs of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.

Theodore Roosevelt 1910

 SUCCESS / ACHIEVEMENTS:

After these long years of hard struggles, the Almighty Allah, in His infinite mercy, opened doors of successes during the regime of late Gen. Sani Abatcha. My brother, late Shuaibu Sabon Birni, the Director, Lands & Transport (Railway) and at that time, Alh. Dr. Mua’zu Babangida Aliyu (former Governor of Niger State) was then the Director, Martime Services during which time Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Gumel was the Hon. Minister of Transport. The late Shuiabu Sabon Birni was killed while on his way from Sokoto State precisely in between Manyanchi and Maru while in active service as the Director, National Identity Card (DNC). Even the armed robbers that killed him hugely regretted for killing this important personality. May the souls of all those that passed on rest in perfect peace.

 

It was at this time the then Head of State initiated a programme meant for the resuscitation of the Railway network in the country. This gigantic project was handled by Chinese nationale, headed by one Comrade Shangei Hangya. It was at this point in time, I personally met Alh. Shuaibu Sabon Birni in his office at SIEMESS, Marina Street, Ikoyi, Lagos for assistance to link me up with the then Sole Administrator of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) in person of Gracie Ilukwe and the head of Chinese personnel. I sought for a contract for the refurbishing of some railway couches. I was asked if my company was registered, I said no. The said Shuiabu Sabon Birni wrote a memo in the name of Remi Ojo Nigeria Limited and introduced me to the then Sole Administrator – Gracie Ilukwe. I took the memo to him at Ebute Meta in Lagos through his secretary. I was given good reception after presentation of the memo and there and then, he called Alh. Shuaibu Sabon Birni and he (Shuaibu S/Birni), through analogue phone call, called and confirmed to him that I am his brother, that he should extend his hand of assistance to me.

 

I was greatly assisted by the said Sole Administrator by way of encouraging me to form a registered company. This development led to the formation of my company in the name of Gusau Nigeria Limited and at the same time, another person who happened to be a close associate of mine, came with the same company of Remi Ojo Nig. Ltd. And when we met, I discovered that he is from the same place with me. I then decided that the contract be extended to him so that he will not feel I was trying to hijack the contract.

 

I could also recall that one of the Imams of 1004 Mosque by name Mal. Ibrahim Kuliya also came for a favour in respect of the above contract. It is widely known that business activities took place in these three (3) strategic organizations:- (1) Railway Headquarters in Lagos, (2) The Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) with Engr. Wali Ahmed as its Managing Director and (3) National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) with Engr. Hamza, Barden Dutse as its Managing Director. Even the then Head of State assisted so many personalities by putting his requests to one of these three formations.

All the high ranking Northern personalities observed their daily prayers at the said 1004 Mosque and it was in the process, Mal. Ibrahim Kuliya requested for a loan from Mal. Nuhu Ribadu to execute a contract, but ended up in marrying an additional wife to the detriment of the contract, and the said Mal. Nuhu Ribadu attended the wedding ceremony. With all this favours to the Imam, the said Imam betrayed Mal. Nuhu Ribadu and later went insane.

 

In the year 2004, the said Mal. Nuhu Ribadu gave us ample opportunity with the said Imam. Later, the news came to me that the Imam was in a state of insanity and his betrayal to Mal. Nuhu Ribadu was of the highest level. My friend and I, in person of Abdullahi Barau Jos met Mal. Nuhu Ribadu at Central Mosque, Abuja pleaded with him to forgive the said Imam for Allah’s sake as his is now in pitiable state and has gone to the extent of consuming liquor, and it is not proper for a learned Imam to end up in that sorry state. Mal. Nuhu Ribadu graciously accepted our request for forgiveness on behalf of the Imam and forgave the said Imam. He (the Imam) has now fully recovered from his insanity and is presently heading a mosque at Masallacin ‘Yan Chanji.

 

At the end of the day, I sold my contract in the sum of N3.2m, courtesy of Mr. Gracie Ilukwe who linked me with the person that bought the said contract from me. My friend Bashir also sold his and invested the money by purchasing two (2) Damfo Buses for commercial transport purpose in Lagos and also rented a house for his personal accommodation. The said Bashir is popularly known as Alh. Bashir Mai-Machine in Gusau, Zamfara State and he is now worth N500m. He still accords ample respect to me for the role I played in facilitating his contract during those previous years of our struggle for contract in Lagos. With this proceeds from the sale of my contract, I opened an account with African International Bank (AIB) in Gusau Branch, Gusau Local Government in the then Sokoto State, where I deposited N1m. In addition, during my furniture works in Gusau, customers who brought furniture works in preparation for any marriage, sometime withdraw the contract after making part payment and at the end of the day, the loss will be on me. So, with the huge money in my AIB account then, I took it upon me to offset all customers who made part payment in respect of their furniture work so that peace shall prevail and to safeguard my image and integrity. I was able to trace all the affected customers in their respective house for the purpose of refunding them their deposits. With the unexpected dimension the furniture was assuming, I withdrew from that business so as to pave way for others to come along the line.

 

In 1995, I bought my first car Honda Quintet at the rate of N60,000.00 from one Turakin Kaura, which I paid the said sum through my AIB account. I could not drive then so based on mutual trust and understanding, I left the said vehicle in the hands of Alh. Yahaya Bala Waiman Gusau (of blessed memory) who later sold same while I was at Lagos. I then moved to Abuja where Almighty Allah blessed me when Barr. Mainasara Mikailu, the acting GGM (Legal Corporation Dept.), NNPC offered an employment as Legal Consultant. He is my senior brother/mentor since when we were in Lagos. I served for 7 years in legal department and 4 years with the security department. I handled all correspondences with Federal Government agencies. I was opportune to have come across many distinguished personalities in the course of my service like Arc. Ibrahim Bunu, former FCT Minister, Abubakar Aliyu (A. A. Oil) – Clearing & Forwarding Company, Late Jarman Kano, Mamman Dankabo – (when Kabo Oil was being initiated), Alh. Garba Dan-Shua of (Kefin-Kefin Nigeria Limited) – Owner of Amal Court and Nabil Court in Abuja),   Prince Sony Obi, In-charge of Crude Oil movement and Head of Security of all the Pipes lines in the Federation (killed by hired assassins in 2001 in FCT Abuja). I have in one way or the other related with all these distinguished personalities in the course of my duties at the NNPC. It was during that time I also bought my first uncompleted building at the rate of N120,000.00 at Garki, Abuja, Opposite CBN Senior Staff Quarters, Plot No. T70, Ozumbolo Close, which I later sold same. After disposing off the said plot, I went to Gusau and purchased a plot in the sum of N30,000.00 and bought another plot belonging to a Mosque close to the plot at the rate of N10,000.00. I became a millionaire at the tender age of 20. I grew up seeing my elders extending their hands of generosity to all mankind. I am deeply proud to emulate same as “Givers shall never lack”.

 

I also handled the property worth of millions of naira of one Alh. Muhammadu Jibrilla, Manager on Security and Safety then. I have come across money and property worthy of millions of naira. But, unknown to me, the said Alh. Muhammadu Jibrilla, had entered into an agreement with Mrs. Atune Jibrin, Director of Land, FCT when Mal. Nasir El-Rufai was the Minister of FCT and she is now the Head of Kaduna Geographical Information System (KADGIS) in Kaduna State under Mal. Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai’s administration. When Mal. Nasir El-Rufa’i was the FCT Minister, Hon. Sani Kalgo was my brother, who drew my attention to the fact that there is a petition against me over forgery of land allocation documents and that I was sighted delivering files to Mrs. Atune Jibrin. And it was Sadiq Mohammed, the Chief land Officer (CLO) who raised the issue to Hon. Sani Kalgo. During that time, Oga Jibrin was the former Minister of Environment and now the Royal Highness of Nassarawa (Sarkin Nasarawa). I was subsequently invited by Land Investigation Committee dated 26^th January, 2001 with reference No: FCDA/IA/327/13 in respect of the above allegation labeled against me, which I appeared. I went to the 11-man Panel Committee with two huge Ghana-must-go bags filled with documents as my proofs and evidences. I defended myself before the Panel and the Panel apologized to me as I was not found wanting in the course of discharging my duties. I was never invited by the panel till date.

 

Being dissatisfied with the outcome of what transpired at the panel, the said Alhaji Mohammed Jibrilla reported me to the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, ‘D’ Department CID, The Nigeria Police, Zone 7, Headquarters, Wuse 3, Abuja. I presented myself to the police with my proofs and evidences. All the correspondences he made were on NNPC headed papers. He used the letter-headed papers for both his personal and official purposes. I requested for the outcome of the case reported against me and it found out that there were no sufficient proofs to substantiate the allegation. The police henceforth advised me to adopt due process and pursue any civil claims against the said Alh. Mohammed Jibrilla. This reply was signed by Mr. A. Odiah) SP.

 

I tried to spend my life with the zeal to assist humanity and I do pray never to have any enemy. The benefit of having a peaceful life is not to make enemies but only to be dwelled in the service of God and to dedicate my service and wealth to humanity. I advised any well-placed official, not matter the level of his education and amount of wealth, should emulate the life style of Sheikh Abubakar Mahmoud Gumi (of blessed memory) and dedicate his life to the service of the Almighty Allah. The greatest secret of having good life is to be obedient to God and be generous to mankind.