Garba: The pensioner who wouldn’t keep what doesn’t belong to him
Mallam Abubakar Garba, a pensioner in Bauchi State, showed the world his honesty when he returned N1m excess gratuity paid to him. He said his action was informed by his fear of God.
Garba, aged 71, was a Motor Chief Driver with the Bauchi State Judiciary, until he retired in 2011 after putting in the mandatory 35 years in service. On August 5, Garba, who was on a monthly pension of N43, 000, was erroneously paid N1.2m as balance of his gratuity, instead of a little over N200,000. And he didn’t waste any time in returning the excess.
“I did not notice that I was over paid until I reached the bank and even filled a teller. This is because I did not bother checking to see what was written on the cheque because I expected them to know the balance I was owing. I promptly returned it to the pension office,” Garba said, adding that he never “thought twice” before returning the cheque.
Daily Trust reports that Garba displayed this uncommon honesty despite the challenges he is currently facing. And they are many: the car with which he was augmenting his pension is now unserviceable and requires about N300,000 to put it back on the road. He also needs N1.5m to complete his house, but he will not keep a kobo that does not lawfully belong to him.
Garba also has a family of seven and a wife to cater for apart from other day to day issues he needs to settle from time to time.
Commenting on what Malam Garba did, a civil servant in Bauchi State, Kabiru Garba, described what the pensioner did as extraordinary, especially in this hard time.
“The man is God-fearing and contented. Despite his financial condition, he resisted the temptation to take what does not belong to him.
“This is the first time, as far as I know, that somebody who is in dire need, will be displaying this uncommon behaviour. There are others, but not that I know of. Pensioners are people whose mention is about lack, poverty and want.
“So, it will take a lot of courage and fear of God for one to do this. I have been very close to Pensioners and I know their sufferings. The late Bauchi State Chapter Chairman of Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), their Zonal Chairman and scores of their officials are my friends.
“The first time I heard about what this man did, I looked for him and we sat down and discussed about the whole issue and I was impressed. He has given himself, family, pensioners and the state a good name because of his honesty.
“Some people may see him as stupid as it is with many of us who see monies belonging to the government as a booty. But this man knows that the money belongs to people like him, with families to cater for or even dead.
“Our society needs honest people like this pensioner. I am happy that, government is now rewarding honesty as the recent case of the young Air force officer who was promoted after returning lost money to its owner. I hope this man will be recognised and honoured by Bauchi State government for his honesty,” Kabiru Garba said.
Malam Abubakar Garba hails from Ngulde Village, Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State. He did not go beyond primary school in his education pursuit. He attended the Central Primary School, Ngulde. He however worked in Bauchi State, where he has been living for 43 years now.
He attributes his honesty to the proper upbringing he received from his father Malam Garba and mother Malama Maryam. “My mother will always tell me not to even covet what does not belong to me, let alone take it. Today I thank God for what I have,” he said.