Let me tell you two things about Abdussamad Dasuki that I haven’t told before:
In 2016, when he was just starting his first term as a member of the House of Representatives, he had an interactive session with us (students) at our university where he distributed laptops to outstanding students. Additionally, to encourage us, he promised that whoever graduated with First Class honors would receive an automatic decent offer of employment from him.
You know, I was a 300-level student then, and I was still aiming for First Class. So that was like a Lucozade Boost for me. As the son of a “nobody,” I believed that was my best bet. So I tried hard. And harder. But despite my efforts, my 400-level results still dropped me down to a little below the margin line. I smiled at my 4.48 CGPA and said, “Alhamdulillah! What Allah wills, happens!”
Still, I mustered some courage and emailed the gentleman, telling him I graduated successfully but fell short of First Class, thus making me ineligible for his offer, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the son of a common man. He called me immediately that day and told me when he’d be in Sokoto, and asked me to meet him.
ALSO READ Sultan Ibrahim Dasuki’s Legacy in Echoes (I), By Abdussamad Dasuki
When we met, I showed him the CGPA, and he was very happy with me to the point of saying, “Comrade, wannan ai bashi da banbanci da First Class.” He then asked me to subtract 4.48 from 4.50. I said 0.2. He said, “No. 0.02 dai, kodayake English kayi.” Everyone in the room laughed. He then said 0.02 is a very insignificant number. It was just a matter of luck.
I was sitting there, holding my body, my heart beating very fast, praying for a miracle to happen. That was when he looked at me and said, “You know what we’ll do?” I shook my head. Dasuki said, “We’ll use your being an SUG president to fill in the little gap. It wasn’t easy for one to be the students union president and still get this result. Isn’t it?”
ALSO READ PEOPLE: Unveiling The Santuraki of Sokoto, Alhaji Abdussamad Dasuki
“So yes! You’re a First Class to me,” he added. I felt a sigh of relief. “Alhamdulillah!” I said in my mind. That was the beginning of everything. And that was Abdussamad Dasuki. He has been a very honorable person from day one. He fulfills his promises and helps people regardless of their background. He doesn’t need to know your family to help you achieve your potential.
The other story is a story for another day. I thought I could give it today. But some other day, InshaAllah. For now, permit me to say a belated happy birthday to the best boss anyone could ask for! Here’s to many more years of success together, InshaAllah.
