An indigene of Kano state, Sani Ibrahim, popularly called 'One Nigeria' by most residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, who lost his lower limbs to polio at an early age and prevented him from attending school just like every other children, has disclosed why he wears, lives and breaths the National colours.
Ibrahim is always spotted on major streets in the FCT and moves around the city in a customized green and white wheelchair with several inscriptions all expressing his love for Nigeria.
Sani Ibrahim riding in his customized wheelchair at Ademola Adetokumbo crescent, Abuja
When a correspondent visited him in his residence at a public sports facility in the central business district of Abuja, Ibrahim who spoke in smattering English revealed how he was maltreated by some security agents in Nigeria while preaching his message of peace round the city.
"On October 17, 2015, the Nigerian police in Kano state put me in the cell because they saw me outside during their patrol hours. On May 1st, 2o15, the police molested me opposite Bayelsa House, Abuja. And on January 16, the mobile policemen beat me up while I was trying to enter federal secretariat."
Sani Ibrahim sitting at the entrance of his house which is built beside a fence
Ibrahim said he gained employment with Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), but he had not not been paid his monthly stipend of Twenty thousand Naira (N20, 000) since the change of government on May 29, 2015.
"During president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan administration, i was employed by the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in 2013. They usually pay me N20, 000 which I use to tae care of myself. But since the coming of change by president Muhammadu Buhari, they have not paid me anything. Right now, I only survive on donations from good spirited Nigerians," he said.
So passionate about Nigeria, Ibrahim painted his crutches green and white
When asked why he wears Nigeria’s national colours, he said: "I dress this way because its my of letting people know that we do not have any other country apart from Nigeria. We do not have any other country beside Nigeria. If we all work together in love, Nigeria will be a better place.
This i where i stay because am just trying to manage my life. I believe that I will be that which God say i will be. I am more concerned about what I can do for my country and what I can do to make Nigeria a better place," he added.
Photo credits: Yinka Adeparusi / Goodness Adoyiche
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