Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has gifted Auwalu Salisu, a commercial tricycle rider, the sum of N100,000 reward for returning about N15 million left in his machine by a passenger in Kano state.
Salisu, a 22-year old school dropout, had been receiving accolades and goodwill for exhibiting honesty by returning the whopping sum of money to the rightful owner on Saturday.
Speaking during presentation of the cash gift, Dr Gwani Umar Farouk, Chairman of ACF in Kano, said they decided to honor the tricycle rider to serve as lesson to other youths in the country.
According Farouk, the tricyclist had exhibited the highest sense of honesty when, despite economic challenges decided to return the money to a Chadian passenger, who forgot the money in the machine.
READ ALSO: Air careers must have at least 2 aircrafts to transport pilgrims for 2024 Hajj – Saudi
He said “it is not about the amount, is the recognition ACF accorded to him. This boy has indeed exhibited highest form of honesty because, despite his economic challenges, he returned the money.
“ACF would not only donate money to him, but involve him in its activities to serve as a lesson and example to his friends and youths in the country,” he said.
Farouk added that the action of Auwal means there is still hope in Nigerian youths, noting that he also elevated Kano and Nigeria’s integrity in the eyes of Chad and the world at large.
Narrating the incident, the tricyclist said he carried three passengers on Thursday from Badawa to Yan Kaba motor park.
He said when they alighted and already departed, as he was cleaning the machine, he discovered an object inside, adding that when he checked it, he found it was cash.
“I then rushed to our house and showed my mother. It was wads of foreign currency. My mother quickly informed my father, who also inform his elder brother.
“When they came to the house, the decided we should not announce finding the money on radio, but wait till the owner announce it,” he narrated.
According to Auwal, two days after keeping the money with his mother, she heard the announcement on Arewa Radio FM in Kano and recorded the numbers given to contact the owners.
“I collected the numbers and called on of them five times but it was not answered. When i called the other number, it was picked at the tied attempt. I spoke with the person and introduced myself as the tricyclist that carried them on Thursday.
“He was happy and arranged to meet at the Arewa Radio where they announced the missing of the money. We met there and they were happy. They gave me N400,000.
“I did that for the sake of God. I was even chided by my friends. They said I am mad for returning such amount of money. I call on my fellow youths to emulate me and be honest always,” he appealed.
