Ramadan is a period of sober reflection, deep devotion in the worship of Allah, and a time for sacrifice. The Holy Quran and Hadith strongly encourage Muslim faithful to extend love and support to the needy through acts of charity, such as feeding and giving alms throughout the month.

Specifically, the Holy Quran states, “Whoever gives food for breaking the fast to a fasting person will have his sins forgiven, and he will be rewarded as if he had fasted” (Quran 93:5).

In keeping with this religious injunction and in the spirit of Ramadan, Mal Musa Umar Yashi, the indefatigable Executive Director of Humanitarian Affairs at the North East Development Commission (NEDC), has once again demonstrated his true character as a compassionate and caring leader.

Since the beginning of the Ramadan fast, he has been at various locations offering humanitarian support and assistance to the needy in order to earn Allah’s rewards and blessings.

The first beneficiaries were the people of Borno State, who received a variety of food and non-food items for distribution across the state’s 27 Local Government Areas. Some of the recipients included vulnerable households, orphans, widows, and people living with disabilities, reflecting the philanthropist’s commitment to supporting those in need during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Other states, including Adamawa, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe, were not left out in this act of benevolence. Each of these states received various food and non-food items aimed at making the period memorable for the people. Over 1,900 vulnerable households benefitted from the gesture in each state.

The most recent intervention took place in Bauchi State, where multiple support groups and individuals received various palliative items for Ramadan. To ensure fairness and transparency in the distribution process, socio-political groups consisting of youths, women, and other stakeholders were tasked with ensuring an orderly and smooth distribution across the state. These groups included the Coalition of the Tinubu/Kashim Support Group, led by its North East Coordinator, Inuwa Yazid, and the Bauchi Humanitarian Support Group, led by Hajiya Aisha Usman Wanka, among others.

Beneficiaries expressed joy and gratitude to Mal Yashi for his generosity, praying for God’s reward. They praised him as their true leader and Ambassador at the national level who always stands by them.

Mal Yashi’s continuous humanitarian support has endeared him to the people, who see him as their true leader, emancipator, and benefactor. Over the years, Mal Musa Yashi, fondly known as “Yashi na Kowa” (meaning “Yashi for Everyone”), has carved out a niche for himself as a compassionate leader whose philosophy is guided by humility, kindness, and generosity to all people, irrespective of religious, political, or ethnic considerations.

At a personal level, Mal Yashi, a man of high moral integrity, has spent significant resources to alleviate the suffering of the people, earning their love, respect, and admiration. His humanitarian gesture knows no bounds and extends beyond his immediate community to other individuals and communities facing various challenges in life.

As a renowned humanitarian icon of international repute, Mal Yashi has also been working tirelessly to improve access to education, healthcare, and promote economic development and social security. His efforts are aimed at creating a brighter future for all.

For such a leader, the sky is the limit, and he certainly deserves all the attention and recognition from his people for standing firmly by them for over three decades.

Written by Mal Gambo Hamza via gambohamz@gmail.com