A TRIBUTE TO ALH. AHMADU CHANCHANGI: A BILLIONAIRE WHOSE WEALTH BENEFITED HUMANITY!
A TRIBUTE TO ALH. AHMADU CHANCHANGI: A BILLIONAIRE WHOSE WEALTH BENEFITED HUMANITY!
By:
Nurudeen Dauda
April 20,2017.
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Alhaji Ahmadu Chanchangi lived, died and was buried with the poor. He lived and died for the services of Islam, Muslims, Poor,Orphans,Neighbours, Widows, and Relations. He fed,clothed and sheltered the uncountable poor. His house is open to both Muslims and Christians because of his philanthropic and accommodating life style. A significant percent of the workforce of his company are non-Muslims and are from different parts of the country and the world.
He was a promoter of both western and Islamic education, hence his establishment of Sheikh Gummi Secondary School where indigent students, both Muslim and non-Muslim, alike are given scholarships. He left a legacy of philanthropy, community development and service to the society as well as the nation. A community leader and businessman whose legacy of charity and humanitarian service to the people was across all divides.
He was famous in giving Zakkat one of the five pillars of Islam. Unarguably if the Muslims were to be asked who among the Muslims rich pay Zakkat in Nigeria, am sure, Chanchangi's name will be first to be called. For Zakkat in Islam requires to be given in public not in secrecy. Islamic law empowers an Islamic state to take Zakkat forcefully from a Muslim who refused to pay it as such it is expected to be paid in public. Our rich men should take cue from him.
Late Sheikh Abubakar Mahmood Gumi (May Allah forgive him) was said to have once "declined"the Zakkat of Chanchangi. As a devoted Muslim Chanchangi who wanted to fulfill one of the five pillars of Islam did not take it to somewhere else. He asked the Father of Ahlil Sunnah in West Africa, Why? The late Sheikh Gumi was said to have told him : it was in view of the fact that as a transporter Chanchangi was transporting for "Brewery " which is unacceptable in Islam.
This story is very important to be told,in my view, for two reasons: (1) Everyone knows the billions paid by brewery for transporting its goods is huge, but Chanchangi's faith in Allah made him stopped immediately. And (2) Sheikh Gumi could have simply collected the Zakkat like many others did, but for his belief in the true teaching of Islam he did not. Chanchangi having stopped it without hesitation despite the billions involved, Allah brought way out to him. The late Sheikh Gumi was said to have talked to the late General Hassan Usman Katsina who was chairman National Oil and Chanchangi became the transporter of National Oil. Chanchangi's wealth rather than to reduce it quintupled.
He sponsored the daily airing of the late Sheikh Gumi'sTafsir for more than 25 years.Chanchangi made Rigasa bridge into concrete bridge from ordinary wood bridge. He donated field for permanent site of Kaduna International Qur'anic Competition Camp. He donated the field for the construction of House for Muslim reverters, He donated uncountable houses to all his drivers at Kinkinau,Badiko,Rigasa and in opposite NNPC quarters etc.
Alhaji Ahmadu Chanchangi is from Chanchangi village in Takum local government of Taraba state. The Billionaire businessman and chairman of Chanchangi Airline, died at the of 81. He is said to be survived by three wives and about 33 children, among whom is Rufai Chanchangi, a member of the House of representative.
This is the few things I know about the late Chanchangi. May Allah forgive him.