Under the busy stretch of Wuye Bridge in Abuja, where cars speed past and pedestrians hurry along, a quiet act of kindness unfolds every morning.
Malam Yusuf, a man in his 60s from Katsina State, sits beside his small tray of goods chewing sticks (asuwaki) and fresh dates (dabino) gently calling out to customers. Years ago, he left his hometown in search of a way to provide for his large family. Life has not given him comfort or wealth; instead, it has handed him responsibility.
Yet despite his daily struggle, Malam Yusuf chooses something extraordinary: he chooses to give.
Before fully settling into the day’s sales, he pours grains onto the bare ground beneath the bridge. Within minutes, birds gather around him, chirping and fluttering as they feed. The sight often makes passersby slow down, watch an elderly trader with so little, sharing with creatures that can offer nothing in return.
When S24 Intern, Abubakar Turaki asked why he gives despite having so little, Malam Yusuf smiled and said “What you give is what you will have,”
Yusuf also disclose that “Givers never lack.” From his modest daily earnings, he sets aside money to buy grains specifically for the birds. He does this not because he has extra, and not because life is easy, but because he believes even the smallest act of giving carries a reward. When asked what joy he finds in the gesture, his answer was simple: “I am content with it. I pray God accepts it from me as charity and grants me paradise.”
For Malam Yusuf, charity does not depend on abundance, It flows from intention, faith, and the belief that even in hardship, there is always room to share.
Every day, commuters cross Wuye Bridge focused on their destinations. Many see only a petty trader trying to survive. But those who pause long enough witness something deeper a reminder that generosity is not measured by possessions, but by willingness.
In a world driven by accumulation, Malam Yusuf’s quiet routine speaks volumes: sometimes, the poorest hands carry the richest hearts.
