TheCable

BY SOLA BENSON

In a world where wealth is often associated with greed and selfishness, many don’t believe that you can be both wealthy and ethical. However, wealth itself is not inherently bad or unethical. It is how people acquire and use their wealth that determines its morality.

Some wealthy individuals have used their resources to make a positive impact. In Nigeria, many would say Alhaji Mustapha Ado Mohammed falls into this category. Recent conversations around his philanthropic gestures spurred us to take a look closer at what he’s been up to.

Alhaji Mohammed got the news buzzing with his empowerment programme for auto-mechanics. While partnering with the Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association (NATA), some members of the association benefited from an all-expense paid training in London, Dubai, America, South Africa, and other countries.

This initiative not only improved the skills of these auto-mechanics but also exposed them to different cultures and ways of life. The empowerment initiative for auto-mechanics also included the provision of over 4000 tools and equipment for members across the country. Speaking about the initiative, Alhaji Mohammed posited that the goal was to improve the quality of service provided by auto-mechanics in the country.

Our findings revealed other acts of philanthropy by Alhaji Mohammed that this piece will dive further into. However, there is a recurring question many have asked, which is: Where did this commitment to giving back come from?

EARLIER LIFE AND CAREER

To understand Alhaji Mohammed’s philanthropic journey, a look into his life and career holds some clues. Alhaji Mustapha Ado Mohammed hails from Katsina State, Nigeria. He is a seasoned businessman and founder/chairman of AMMASCO Group. His philanthropic journey began long before his business became a household name.

While Alhaji Mohammed grew up in the ancient city of Kano, he was exposed to both the beauty and challenges of his community. He was born in July 1957. He attended Gobirawa Primary School, Kano, in 1977, and Government Secondary School, Gwale, Kano, in 1985. After this, he obtained a National Diploma in Accounting from the Kano State Polytechnic (School of Management Studies) in 1989.

From a young age, Alhaji Mohammed demonstrated a strong work ethic and a deep commitment to improving the lives of those around him. One of his primary reasons for going into business was to tackle the high unemployment rate in his immediate community.

Alhaji Mohammed believed that creating job opportunities was an effective way to uplift his community and curb crime. According to him, many young people would resort to crime without jobs to do. This recognition that unemployment was not just an economic issue but also a social issue led to the enterprise known as the AMMASCO Group.

The company, AMMASCO Group, started as a limited liability company with the name coined from Alhaji Mohammed’s full name. The name, AMMASCO, stands for Alhaji Mohammed Mustapha Ado Supply Company. The company, with over 10,000 workers in its employment, has also revived over six dead companies, which were on the brink of plunging workers into unemployment. Alhaji Mohammed understood that without opportunities for gainful employment, these people would be left with limited opportunities, which could lead to poverty, desperation, and, ultimately, a higher risk of engaging in criminal activities.

As the business enterprise grew, Alhaji Mohammed began to feel a growing sense of responsibility to use his resources to make more difference in the life of others. He deliberately employed more widows, orphans, and persons of humble backgrounds, incorporating diversity into the workplace.

Some media reports believe that the diversity of his workforce has not only strengthened his business but also enriched the lives of his employees and also their communities. Making room for the marginalised and underserved has earned him widespread respect and admiration.

INSIDE AMMASCO GROUP

AMMASCO International Nigeria Limited, popularly known as AMMASCO Group, is considered to be one of the largest and fastest-growing lubricant blending plants in Nigeria, with its tentacles spreading outside the shores of Nigeria.

With its state-of-the-art facilities and commitment to quality, AMMASCO has become a household name in the lubricant manufacturing industry. The company, which started out in 1997 as a small blending plant in the city of Kano, has expanded its operations and now has a production capacity of 150,000 metric tonnes per annum.

AMMASCO’s lubricants have met the standards set by international regulatory bodies such as the American Petroleum Institute (API) and Nigeria’s Standards Organization of Nigeria and obtained the NIS Mark of Quality. This shows that the company uses only the highest quality base oils and additives in its products. Sources also reveal its production processes are subject to strict quality control measures.

A closer look into a company revealed some rare patterns. First, it is one of the few companies of its size that provides free lunch for its teeming workforce. Alhaji Mohammed stated that the rationale for this gesture is to enhance the productivity of his team while also catering to their welfare.
A random survey of some of the employees showed that employee loyalty and productivity are key factors in the growing success of the company. The purport of this is that a well-fed workforce is a productive workforce.

Digging deeper, it was revealed that the company does not bear the cost of providing lunch to the over 10,000 employees at AMMASCO Group. Rather, Alhaji Mohammed bears the entire cost as an individual distinct from the company’s entity.

Second, we noticed the environmental consciousness of the company. The AMMASCO Group promotes sustainability by using environment-friendly production processes. The company has implemented measures to reduce energy consumption, minimise waste, and prevent pollution.
For instance, the company uses efficient blending equipment that reduces energy consumption and emissions. The company also has treatment plants to ensure that its wastewater meets environmental standards.

The additives and high-quality base oils it uses in its lubricants are more environment-friendly than the lower-quality alternatives. It has also implemented sustainable transportation of its raw materials and products. This has reduced the company’s carbon footprint and also improved its transportation efficiency, ensuring that products are delivered to customers in a timely and cost-effective manner.
The company’s effort to reduce its environmental impact and promote sustainability ought to serve as a model for other companies in Nigeria and beyond.

PHILANTHROPIC CONTRIBUTIONS

Alhaji Mustapha Ado Mohammed has demonstrated the power of giving back to society in many ways. Owing to that, it is not surprising that he is the recipient of many awards from reputable brands. These awards do celebrate not only his business acumen but also his contributions as a humanitarian and philanthropist.

One of his most significant contributions is the construction of schools and handing them over to the government. In March 2020, Alhaji Mohammed also constructed a nine-classroom block at the Gobirawa Primary School in Kano State. His alma mater was not left out of his positive impact on education. These acts addressed the issue of overcrowding and inadequate learning facilities. It also provided a more conducive environment for school children to learn and grow.

Alhaji Mohammed has remained a strong advocate for the widows, orphans, and less privileged in the society. When he is not creating job opportunities for them, he is donating to orphanages. In July 2020, he constructed a building block and dining hall in Gidan Marayu, an orphanage in Kano state.

In 2017, he led his team to the IDP camps in Maiduguri, Borno State, distributing food packages, hygiene kits, and other essential items. All of these helped to alleviate some of the immediate challenges faced by the people in these IDP camps.

When the coronavirus pandemic struck in 2020, the most affected groups were people from humble beginnings and displaced persons in IDP camps. Alhaji Mohammed rose to the occasion, providing essential relief materials to these vulnerable groups.

Members of the Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association in some states, such as Bayelsa and Enugu States, also received palliatives in the heat of the pandemic. During this time, many families struggled as lockdowns, and movement restrictions made it difficult for them to earn a living. Alhaji Mohammed recognised the need to support these families and mobilized resources for them.

ALHAJI MOHAMMED: THE LEADER

Leadership is a critical element in any organisation. The success or failure of the organisation often depends on it. For a company like the AMMASCO Group, examining the leadership style of Alhaji Mohammed will provide insight into the company’s growth over the years.

One definitive element of Alhaji Mohammed’s leadership is the importance he attaches to the welfare of his people. Some members of his staff have extolled him for his care and empathy towards them.

The common opinion about Alhaji Mohammed is that he is a humble man that treats everyone with respect, irrespective of age, gender, or religion. Undoubtedly, he is the rare exception to the adage “a prophet has no honour among his own people.” One thing is certain, Alhaji Mohammed commands respect and admiration from his employees and followers.

Apparently, he recognises that his staff are the backbone of the AMMASCO Group and ensures that they are well taken care of. A member of his staff stated that Alhaji Mohammed does not see them as mere parts of a moving machine. Rather, he sees them as individuals with unique needs and challenges and has implemented internal measures to ensure each member of staff feels valued and cared for.

Speaking on the circumstances that led to the introduction of free lunches at work, Alhaji Mohammed stated that he noticed that his workers were struggling to come to work from the 15th of the month as they had already exhausted their salaries then. Digging deep into the situation, he realised that before the month ended, many of them were already owing the food vendors around the work environment. So, they would have to pay off the debt each month. Otherwise, they won’t get fresh credit from the food vendors. He also observed that these food debts were depleting their resources. Hence, the introduction of free lunch at work. According to him, the result of it was remarkable. Productivity increased, and the company grew.

EMBRACING INNOVATION

For a man who entered the business scene in the late 90s, a lot has changed. The business landscape is constantly evolving. For Alhaji Mohammed, embracing technology and trends is important for his company to remain relevant in the industry. It explains why he continues to leverage technology to solve real-time problems in the day-to-day running of the conglomerate.

One of the problems that manufacturing companies like AMMASCO have to deal with is the proliferation of counterfeit products using its brand identity to deceive unsuspecting customers. To tackle this menace, the company built its digital assets (website & mobile app), launching awareness campaigns about how to identify and source its authentic products from its stores and distributors.

In recent years, AMMASCO has been upgrading its production facilities. Through this technology-driven approach, it grew its production capacity from 30,000 metric tonnes in years past to 150,000 metric tonnes per annum. Owing to this, the company can now meet the growing demand for lubricants in Nigeria and beyond while also maintaining consistent quality standards.

The local production of lubricants by AMMASCO International Nigeria Limited has significantly impacted the Nigerian economy. The massive job creation flowing from this enterprise has contributed to the growth of the economy.

Also, by producing lubricants locally, it has reduced the nation’s dependence on imported lubricants. The direct effect of this is that it conserves foreign exchange, reduces trade deficit, and promotes economic growth.

The Nigerian oil and gas industry has also benefited from the local production by AMMASCO. This is because the local production of lubricants also created more opportunities for local companies to participate in the industry’s value chain.

The Nigerian oil and gas sector has faced many challenges in recent years, including the lack of local content in the industry. The production of these lubricants locally means that many raw materials can also be sourced locally, which boosts the local supply chain. Thus, AMMASCO has created more opportunities for local distributors and retailers.

All of these are ripple effects of one man venturing into business with the lofty goal of bringing positive change to his community. With every stride of Alhaji Mohammed, there is one conclusion, wealth can be an instrument for the common good of the people when channeled properly.