.
BY
MUDASSIR ALIYU YUNUSA
mudassiray@gmail.com
Today is a special day to me being exactly 20 years after finishing my Secondary School education which served as a turning point of my educational/life career. I wrote my last SSCE/NECO Shorthand Paper on Wednesday 11th July 2001 at the prestigious Rumfa College Kano. It was really a great moment for me and my highly desciplined Classmates (SS3E) courtesy of the collective efforts put in place by our able Teachers especially our amiable, humble and powerful Principal Late Dr. Adamu Turaki( Rahimahullah). Though the so called Candy Celebration was performed in a low key to conform to the rules and regulations of the college as there were no rugged jubilation like uniform tearing, noisy excitement or destroying some items of the school and more importantly however, there was no idea of signing out an autographs on our shirts not to talk of organising the so called Candy Party/get together.
Our emotions then was towards building successful educational and life career as motivated by our parents, teachers, mentors, brothers and sisters as well as our well wishers.
I could remember our farewell conversation after the paper in front of Abdullahi Bayero Assembly Hall, very close to RUMFOBA Secretariat, each one of us have his own ambition and plan for him to be successful in life. Some of us decided to start businesses while many of us who want to further their education beyond secondary level were busy choosing the higher institutions they wanted to join within and outside Kano. We reckoned our different ambitions notable with strong covet among ourselves. We had series of deliberations before we dispersed and agreed to meet after three days at the College Masjid to observe prayers and recitation of Holy Qur’an in respect to our exams.
Let me briefly take a glance at some good memories about my life and struggle in Secondary school (Rumfa College Kano). It is obvious that secondary school life is among the sweetest moments in life because of so many factors, it is an intermediary stage where must of us belongs to adolescent age under the custody of our parents or guardians, at that time our brains were free or less from burdens, tensions, stresses as well as little psychological thinking of reasoning and self belonging. I really enjoyed my school life at Rumfa College, we were enjoined to work hard and also made to know certain routines similar to boarding school like Prep, Games and Sports, inspections, school Clubs, daily duty activities, identification of Students by their various Houses viz: Waziri (Green), Galadima (Blue), Chiroma (Yellow) & Madaki (Red). I was appointed as Waziri House Prefect with green cap, I later became Assistant Mosque Prefect, I worked with Late Misbahu Zubairiyya Galadanchi as my Amir where we revived the college Masjid by making students observe congregation during Zuhr and Asr prayers in an organised way.
In SS2 By the will of Allah we were selected to join College Computer Department after meeting the criteria of First to Third positions in all the classes.
We were thoroughly trained in computer, Data Processing and Information Technology by Mallam Ahmad Yakasai, where we were presented with certificates by the then Commissioner of Education Alh Usman Alhaji (Present SSG Kano State). I was among the 3 students that represent Rumfa College in Kano State Inter Secondary Schools Computer Quiz organised by Center for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) at Murtala Muhamed Library where we came First and won the biggest prizes. In SS3, I also represent Rumfa College during Shorthand and typewriting Competition held at Aminu Kano Community Commercial College where by the will of Allah I single handedly beat my Co-competitors from Commercial Wudil, Kundila School of Business Studies and the host Aminu Kano Commercial College, I came First and was delighted to win number of prizes. Alhamdulillah.
In games and sports, I participated in College inter houses sport competition, I was among Waziri House Football Team with Mallam Audu MaiKaba, our Mathematics Teacher who was then Kano Pillars Assistant Coach as my Game Master. We contested and won Gold Medal in Inter Houses football competition alongside my teammates like Ibrahim Ahmad Alhaji (Health Prefect), Mustapha Musty, Habu Rivaldo, late Na Kano, Ado Dominic, Labahani Bako Lamido, YaroYaro Sheka, Bashir Amunike, Sule Ayo and host of others.
Our college football team was very strong then, we won 2001 Kano State Inter Secondary Schools football competition held at Rano Local Govt, courtesy of our hard-working and talented Coach Mal Audu MaiKaba coupled with the support of our able Principal Dr Adamu Turaki. Our College team also represent Kano State during the National Inter Secondary Schools football competition in Lagos and Rumfa College came second after losing to Salahu Abiola Memorial College Ibadan in the final match.
The most funny moment that is still fresh in my memory was the agreement we made in SS2 up to SS3 to speak no any language other than English inside the Classroom, an idea that was meant to develope and improve our English language and communication skills as well as public addressing capability, hence communication in vernacular is not allowed and would attract sanction of paying N10 as a fine. This has yielded positive result to us and was certainly a moment to write many things about .
My 3 years stay at Rumfa College (SS1 – SS3) was an eye opener to me in respect of carrier building by having proper mentoring from Parents, Principal, Teachers and my mentors both in school and at home.
My special appreciations goes to my parents Alh Aliyu Y. Sumaila, Malama Aisha Umar Aliyu and Hajiya Sadiya Yunusa for supporting me in all angles toward achieving my goals. I will never forget my Kindhearted Principal, Late Dr Adamu Turaki (Rahimahullah) for his tremendous effort in making my educational career successful especially his constant advice, motivation, best wishes and prayers upon us (all his students). My Teachers like Mallam Ahmad Yakasai, Mallam Ibrahim Muhammad Dandago, Mallam Abdullahi Ahmad, Mrs Comfort Abraham, Mallam Abba T. Sheriff, Mallam Munzali Salisu, Late Malama Adama Kabir, Malama Kubura S. Kwaru, Mallam Lawal Magaji, Mallam Muhammad Bello and all other Teachers in the college, your teaching and mentoring would never be forgotten.
Among my mentors that offered proper guidance to me are Munir Umar Muhammad who took most of his time despite his tight schedules especially the overloaded burdens of his IJMB PROGRAMME as a student of CAS Kano, yet Mallam Munir took his important time off for my extra lesson on many subjects at home including Economic, Accounting, English, Mathematics and Computer Appreciation according to their syllabus. In fact Mallam Munir have really impacted my life positively, therefore I will forever remain grateful, indebted and loyal to ASSHEHI MALLAM. Alhaji Ali Muhammad Yakasai (Kallamu), former Registrar Kano University of Science and Technology Wudil is another icon who will never be mentioned out among my mentors during my secondary school age.
Let me register my profound appreciations to My Elder brothers Muhammad Shamsudeen Aliyu (who bought a set of desktop computer for my use), Engineer Nuraddeen Aliyu and Nasiru Aliyu Yunusa, you really mean a lot to me. Jazakumullahu Khairan.
Finally, to my classmates at the College, I say big thanks to you all, the bond of true love and friendship has became indelible, indefeasible and inalienable.
We are 57 in our class, SS 3E and most of us are successful in life, we have many Civil Servants, Businessmen, Teachers/Lecturers, Politicians, 2 Ph.D Holders. We also lost 5 members of the Class (Najib Aliyu Yunusa, Ismail Jibril Sha’aibu, Usaini Muhammad Tukur, Sha’aibu Abdullahi and Abdullahi Tijjani) may the repose of the departed souls among us Rest in Aljannatul Firdausi. Ameen. May Allah continue to guide us and make our lives beneficial to the community and the country at large.
Mudassir can be reached through 08028188129
