A cross-tribal act of kindness is rewriting the narrative of Nigeria’s range, as Ahmad Isa, a former almajiri boy from Kano, graduates from Federal College Dutse, Jigawa State, embodying the facility of unity in motion.
Arewa PUNCH gathered that the story of Isa, who rose from barefoot streets to earn a Second Class Higher diploma in Criminology and Safety Research, underscores how compassion can bridge ethnic divides, which is taken into account by many as one of many main issues Nigeria is battling with.
Ahmad Isa, a once-roaming Hausa/Fulani almajiri boy from Gaya LGA in Kano State, shared his inspiring story solely with Arewa PUNCH on Saturday whereas digging deep into his life expertise.
“Years in the past, as a Hausa/Fulani by origin, I arrived in Dutse with nothing however hope and a need to be taught the Qur’an,” Isa recalled.
“To outlive, I ran errands for individuals round my neighbourhood and labored in individuals’s properties quite than beg for what to eat earlier than and after my Islamiyya faculty classes,” he added.
“I used to be as soon as a barefooted almajiri boy who roamed the streets of Dutse looking for Quranic schooling, now a proud college graduate serving my nation,” Isa mentioned proudly.
“At some point, once I was operating errands, I bumped into Mr. Alan Maiyaki, a civil servant, simply transferred to Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, from Benin, the capital of Edo State,” the contemporary graduate narrated.
“My benefactor (Maiyaki) enrolled me right into a public major faculty, then secondary faculty, paid for me to sit down for JAMB, secured my admission into the Federal College Dutse, and paid all my charges from the start to end-up until now that I’m a graduate.
“Whereas in 100 stage, my sponsor inspired me to take my research significantly as he assured me the sky could be my restrict.
“Immediately, I put on the khaki uniform of the Nationwide Youth Service Corps in Zaria, Kaduna State, symbolising my transformation and triumph.
“I had my passing out parade from NYSC on Thursday, 18th December 2025, the place I used to be given a certificates of nationwide service.
“In the meantime, I learnt tailoring as a talent whereas education throughout my secondary faculty and undergraduate days—right this moment, I’m a tailor with a store in Hakimi Road in Dutse, with 5 apprentices studying beneath me,” an excited Isa additional disclosed.
He continued, “What makes my story much more exceptional is not only my rise from the streets to the academia, however the bond that made it doable – a Hausa/Fulani almajiri boy and my Niger Delta benefactor united by compassion and patriotism,” he concluded.
Talking on the event, Mr. Alan Maiyaki, Ahmad Isa’s benefactor, the Edo State-born federal authorities civil servant transferred to Dutse over a decade in the past, recalled the encounter additionally in an unique interview with our correspondent.
“However behind his quiet manner lay honesty, humility, and a burning need for a greater life. Touched by Ahmad Isa’s modesty and sincerity, I did one thing exceptional and enrolled the boy in a major faculty.
“The rationale I took up the problem: I used to be impressed by my dad and mom, particularly my mum, who was a instructor for 35 years in public faculties,” he defined.
“The Nationwide Youth Service Corps and Dr. Amina Mohammed, then senior particular assistant to a former president on Millennium Growth Targets and now UN Deputy Secretary-Basic, additionally impressed me,” Maiyaki famous.
“As a corps member in 2006, I used to be awarded the very best NYSC corps member volunteer for the MDGs advocacy undertaking in Niger State. NYSC engaged all us awardees as information improvement facilitators in orientation camps.
“In a single camp in Keffi, Nasarawa State, the place I used to be posted for MDGs coaching, Dr. Amina Mohammed got here on monitoring train and inspired us to be passionate concerning the eight Millennium Growth Targets.
“At that time, I advised myself I might attempt to obtain Aim Two – obtain common major schooling – so I enrolled Ahmad Isa at school, and right this moment he’s a graduate,” Maiyaki affirmed.
He maintained, “Underneath my care, Isa mixed Qur’anic studying with Western schooling, displaying unusual zeal. His consistency paid off: he accomplished major schooling at a public faculty, Nuhu Muhammad Junior Secondary College Dutse, and his secondary schooling at Dutse Capital Secondary College with excellent outcomes. He scored 217 in JAMB on the first try for advantage admission in 2019 on the Federal College Dutse, the place he studied and bagged a BSc in Criminology and Safety Research with (Second Class Higher).”
Whereas talking extra about himself, the visibly excited Maiyaki careworn, “This portrays me as a real patriot who sees past tribe and religion. I consider in each Nigerian baby.
“It marked the start of a brand new chapter that without end modified the boy’s future,” identified the benefactor.
On her half, whereas commenting when contacted by Arewa PUNCH, Halima Isa, who’s the beneficiary Ahmad Isa’s mom, expressed gratitude to God, saying she was “filled with praises” that her youngest baby is the household’s first graduate.
“I by no means believed my son would purchase Western schooling as a result of none of his siblings went to highschool,” she advised our correspondent.
In accordance with her, “Ahmad was barely two years outdated when he misplaced his dad, and the one choice was to ship him to pursue Islamic information away from house.”
Halima, overwhelmed with pleasure, added, “Immediately, I’m a mom of a graduate – it sounds unbelievable, but it’s true.”
Additional commenting on the stride, Malam Hassan Yalawawa, Ahmad Isa’s Islamic instructor, recalled that Ahmad was despatched to him at age 5 to accumulate Islamic information. “As destiny would have it, he’s now a graduate of Western schooling,” he mentioned, including, “This exhibits that different Almajiri youngsters can develop into future graduates.”
Malam Yalawawa expressed gratitude to Ahmad’s sponsor, Alan Maiyaki, “who, by the way, is from the southern a part of the nation and who has demonstrated unity in range, patriotism, and love for nation,” he mentioned. “Might God bless him and his household, and should he reap the fruits of his laborious work.
“In a nation with numerous cultures and affiliations, Ahmad and Maiyaki’s friendship shines as a beacon of hope,” Malam Yalawawa famous, insisting that “It ought to remind each Nigerian that energy lies in shared humanity.
“Ahmad’s journey proves love, understanding, and equal alternative can obtain greatness,” he maintained whereas highlighting the facility of compassion in shaping futures.
