Noble Abatu had spent nearly an hour on the busy Abacha Road, on the outskirts of Abuja, waiting for a vehicle headed to Abuja, all to no avail.
Time raced steadily as the sun climbed above the horizon. Traffic was gaining momentum.
“Standing under the scorching sun and the hold-up gathering momentum, I thought of returning home because I didn’t know what to do next.”
There were few cars on the road, and commercial drivers hiked their fares. Abatu was on the verge of returning home when a car pulled up.
“Just about when I wanted to go back, this black sport car drove empty and parked, and everyone scrambled to enter as usual because the crowd was much on the road. I managed to find my way into the car.
When Abatu and the other commuters inquired about their fare, they were stunned at the driver’s response. He told them to give whatever their hearts dictated, asserting it was his way of giving back to society.
“When we moved, we asked the driver how much? He said he does not know how to charge people; whatever we have that is worth our various destinations, we should give; that it is his way of giving back to society. Five of us he picked were stunned.”
The 29-year-old Abatu was concerned about the driver’s fuel as he drove each passenger across Nyanya, Secretariat, Finance, Area 1, and Wusa.
“The rain of blessings started pouring out on him when the first passenger dropped and gave him his money and he refused and told her not to worry. The rest of us in the vehicle gave ourselves a quick gaze if it was what we were thinking – a free ride.
Considering the rising cost of transportation, Abatu admitted that he was shocked at such a kind gesture. “When do others hustle and muscle to keep up with the economy? I couldn’t thank him enough, even though he had already zoomed off. It is one of those acts of kindness I will not forget in Abuja. He saved me a fare of N500 to N600 when there is traffic and vehicles are scarce,” he said.
After he got off at his destination, a series of questions popped into his head. Was this a dream? Or did the man have evil intentions? Like Richard Moses, whose religious faith was matched with charity, Abatu was amazed at the stroke of good fortune that had found him.
Noble also vowed to reciprocate the kindness shown to him, highlighting the need to make the world a better place by showing love to both humans and animals.
Noble Abatu spent nearly an hour waiting for a vehicle on the busy Abacha Road outside Abuja as traffic increased and drivers hiked fares. Contemplating going home, a black sports car arrived offering a ride for whatever passengers felt like paying, as part of the driver’s way to give back to society. Abatu was astonished and grateful for the kind gesture, questioning if it was real or had ulterior motives. The experience saved him substantial fare costs, and he vowed to reciprocate the kindness to others, emphasizing the importance of showing love to humans and animals to make the world a better place.
