I woke with the sad news of the death of Usman Gezawa, a level 400 student in the Faculty of Computer Science and IT, Bayero University Kano.

I first know Usman during his days at Crescent Int’l School. I use to catch a glimpse of him almost every morning when I drive my kid sister to school. I learnt that he has been physically challenged right from when he was a child as a result of a chronic disease called spinal muscular atrophy.

My admiration for Usman began when I was in my final year at the university, then he was in level 200. I was confiding with one of my friend that I pity the state and condition in which Usman finds himself in, my friend responded by telling me that Usman has a Grade Point Average of 5.00 in all the semesters he has passed through, making his CGPA to be 5.00 in his 4th semester to be specific. I was stunned and I was glad at the same time. I said to my friend, “let me pity myself for having a point lesser than his”, we laughed and proceeded to where we were heading to.

Back at home, I was marvelled with the news I heard about Usman in campus, I called my kid sister and ask her more about Usman, she told me how brilliant and gifted Usman was during their secondary school days, she told me he got all A’s in his WAEC. She added that he won all the academic prize awarded by the school during the graduation of his set. I was really overwhelmed with joy and tears of happiness rolled down my cheek while she was narrating everything she knows about Usman Gezawa. Indeed, His story was amazing and inspiring in soo many ways.

In one of a short clip that went viral last year, the deposed Emir of Kano, in the person of His Highness Muhammad Sunusi II, honoured him by walking to where he (Usman) was seated (on his wheelchair) to present the certificate of graduation (in the slate form), as it is done by Islamic schools.

Traditionally, when its a student turn to receive his slate, the student shall walk to where the Emir is seated, kneels and the Emir will award the slate (certificate) to him or her. When it was the turn of Usman to follow the same protocol, the Emir stood from his chair, walked to where Usman was seated (on his wheelchair) and presented him his slate of graduation. The chants of “Allahu Akbar” rented the air as the emir displayed an act of respect and honour to the handicapped, at that moment Gezawa was the recipient of such Grand Honour from a highly respected Emir in the country.

Indeed, what a life well lived by Usman Gezawa. Now that you have departed this world to meet with our Creator, may the Angels in heaven honour you, shield you and preserve your soul till we meet again in the hereafter. May Allah (SWT) grant you the highest rank of Jannah.

At this juncture, I will like to pass my sincere condolence to his mum, she motivated Usman by driving him to school in her car. Am sure she must be devastated by his death. My other condolence goes to his siblings for having to live without their ‘genius brother’ and to the people of Kano state. Indeed, Kano has lost an asset.

May Allah bestow his peace and mercy to Usman, our loved ones, and to all Muslim ummah.

assadiq.aldaud@gmail.com