What The Media Will Not Tell You About Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar

To every story, there is an untold version. And most of the times, people intentionally decide to leave out some good part in order to achive some preconceived selfish intentions.

The stories that have been told about Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu, the Chairman/CEO of A.A Group Conglomerates, are such that paint him as a devil. Prominent among such mendacious inventions by some hungry journalists is his supposed involvement in the Malabu Oil Deal (which he has been vindicated).

But who is Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu?

One wrong place to get to know the person of Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar is online. There are several versions of him out there that say nothing but negative about him. Virtually every blogger, reporter and journalist has their different versions of him. But permit me to tell you what the media will not tell you about him.

Aliyu Abubakar MFR (born 12 June 1954) is a Nigerian business man, entrepreneur, philantropist and Chairman/CEO of conglomerates of companies, among which are A.A OIL Company Ltd., A Group Properties Ltd., A Group International and A-Class Foods. Recently, he acquired a big telecommunication company in Kano State, by the name MEGATECH Networks, a communication outfit that covers the entire nothern part of the country, and plans are already on ground to move to other parts of the country for better coverage. He is into big time property business, both within and abroad.

He is the owner of the imposing edifice that sits majestically on Gana Street, Maitama District of Abuja, adjacent Transcorp-Hilton Hotel, which was a mystery for a long while as its ownership was shrouded in uttermost secrecy just as the structure itself, while it was undergoing construction.

He purchased the plot of land where the structure is erected in 2005 from an indigene of Zamfara State at a cost of N1 billion and that he financed the building from his personal savings, as he did not obtain any mortgage from any bank.

He was a Supervisor with Julius Berger Plc. in Jos (1976-1978), Manager with Bathole Nig. LTD. (1978-1980), Manager with Fugerhole LTD. (1980-1984).

One of the things the media will not tell you about Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar is that he has made several donations to the society. Such of those donations are building of churches and mosques in Kaduna State, his scholarship scheme (Giwa Aliyu Foundation) at Okene, Kogi State, that has helped several intelligent but indigent students till date, donation of vehicles to Ikeja Police Command (Lagos State), Kaduna Police Command (Kaduna State) and Kano Police Command (Kano State).

The media will not tell you that he has been sponsoring students for years, because that will not make news. The media will not tell you that he has given several cars to those who didn’t lift even a pin for him. The media will not tell you that, out of his generosity, he has established several people in their businesses and careers. The media will not also tell you that he has employed hundreds of people in his companies.

There are several individuals, groups and organizations out there that owe their positions, connections and businesses to the magnanimity of Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu. Their stories will not be complete without mentioning his goodness to them. But because he does not go out to laud his achievements, he wears the garment the media has decorated him with.

Those who know and have encountered him will testify to his kindness and generosity. He is not one who discriminates among tribes, religion and races; whoever God brings his way is due to benefit from his wealth of benevolence.

A man who has built successful businesses spanning several decades now must be a genius of a kind. Every billionaire must not be involved in shady deals to attain success. Every successful business magnate must not be cutting corners and doing inhumane activities to achieve success. Not every billionaire is a fraudster, even though it is difficult to believe in Nigeria.

The Untold Story of The Malabu Deal

OPL 245 is an oilfield in the Niger Delta. It has about nine billion barrels of crude oil, estimated to worth half a trillion dollars. The sale of the block, which is considered as one of the most lucrative on the continent, has been replete with allegations and lawsuits.

The Malabu oil transaction started in 1998 when the military administration of Sani Abacha came up with the policy of encouraging indigenous participation in the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry.

Oil blocks were allocated to indigenous companies at a reduced signature bonus of $20 million. Signature bonus is a one-time fee for the assignment and securing of a license, paid irrespective of economic success for the contractor or licensee.

Malabu was allocated OPL 245 and they made a part-payment of $2 million for the signature bonus and brought in Shell as technical partners, but the deal was consummated in 2011 when Jonathan was in power.

THE KEY PLAYERS

Some of the key persons involved in the deal are Goodluck Jonathan, Sani Abacha (who was Head of State from 1993 to 1998), Dan Etete (his minister of petroleum resources), Mohammed Abacha (son of the former Head of State), Hassan Hindu (wife of Hassan Adamu, the Wakili Adamawa and one time Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States), Olusegun Obasanjo, Shell, Eni, Mohammed Adoke (Minister of Justice under Jonathan), and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

Along the line, some actors were mentioned in the deal, such as Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu, the Chairman/CEO of A.A Oil Limited. But what we were not told was why and how he got into the picture. There are many stories about his involvement in the deal, and that is because the truth does not make news in the media. And especially for selfish reasons, journalists don’t like stories that speak well of people.

Several reporters saw an opportunity to tarnish his image and jumped on it, resulting in several derogatory comments about him. Their comments are online and in the hearts of those who read them, which is why every time they hear the name Aliyu Abubakar, their already-tailored minds curse him and wish him all the evils known to man.  

But just because some people have the freedom to write anything they like does not mean everything they write is true. If everything that is said about a fellow is all true, then we do not need the media, because we would already know. We know those who are at the forefront of this quest to tarnish his image, and we also know why. They would give anything it takes to achieve this deeply-entrenched adventure.

It is normal for people to believe, especially in Nigeria, that one cannot be a billonaire without getting involved in shady deals, so it is not unusual when one is mentioned in such stories in order to further drag them in the mud.

Several other persons would have come out to defend themselves, but not everyone has that luxury of time to reply every rubbish that people post online or in the papers. We know what people are capable of doing, especially when they ask for a favour and you turn them down. Many will go the extra mile to say trash about you. But should you be bothered because people write unfounded stories about you? You wouldn’t if you are a serious minded individual.

Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu is a multi-faceted business man. He is into real estate, oil and gas, communications and other lucrative businesses. You may not know everything he does, but he doesnt owe anyone an explanation either. His involvement in the Malabu scandal is only an avenue some reporters created to earn their salaries, which they actually explored.

Just as one anonymous fellow commented on www.stelladimokokorkus.com, “Before you post anything here, make sure your stories are lucrative. A.A is a generous man that has helped a lot of people. Do not focus on his shortcomings. Instead, think of the generosity he shows to people. God bless you.”

The untold story of the Malabu Scandal is that Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu got in there because some sycophants would do everything possible to get back at him for depriving them a special favour they passionately wanted. They would call him names such as rogue, diminutive, shady property developer and fraudster to vent their unreserved fury at him. But as things stand now, he has been vindicated, which means he is no longer at the mercy of vindictive reporters.

But none of those discrediting rants changes the fact that Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu has given enough back to the society. Everybody may not have gained what they want from him, but he has given and is still giving back to the society. His goodness has reached and will continue to extend to those who are destined to get it. Even though some people will go any length to blackmail those they don’t like for their personal reasons, justice will always be served where it is appropriate, just as it has happened. So, to your tent O Israel.