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Northern Nollywood, Southern Distorted Mirrors: Nollywood and the Rest of Us
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Tribute to Lieutenant Abdulhamid Shu’aibu Maidawa
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By Mahdi Garba
Have you ever wondered why good people die early and bad ones live longer? Anytime death strikes, I feel the same.
The news of Lieutenant Abdulhamid Shu’aibu Maidawa’s tragic death in an ambush by insurgents on Buratai-Damaturu road in war-stricken northeastern Nigeria on Friday, 5th April, 2024 got me thinking about it again.
As a Muslim just like the follower of every Abrahamic religion, I believe every living soul will taste the pangs of death. But, this promising gentleman was not one of the persons one would want to put his name in the same line with death too soon.
When he got admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna in 2016 after his sixth or even seventh attempt, I felt happy for him, not for the reason he joined the elite army but for fact his dream had materialised.
Weeks before Ramadan fasting commenced, he took an exit that availed him the opportunity to come home. He called it home. He came to sit for WAEC examination in Jos that year and suddenly he felt home.
He became a family member as though my family had known him for many years. He became an adopted child in the house, even though our hometowns are kilometres away from that of his family.
We had a long conversation where we talked about family, courtship, marriage, insurgency and whatnot. He mentioned how he had been promoted from a lieutenant to a captain, only that he awaits it to be made official.
Abdulhamid was a hardworking who was ready to do any job that would provide him a legitimate source of income. That trait had took him to many places, into many jobs, including being a motorcyclist in Maraba, Karu LGA, miles away Abuja.
He would say as an orphan who had neither have a father nor mother, that was the only option he had.
I could remember when he was at his lowest. The motorcycle which he acquired for commercial purposes otherwise known as okada was seized by FCTA authorities. He had to come back to Jos, jobless and dejected.
Shortly after the moment we got admitted into the university alongside Alkazim my younger brother, Ammar and the late Abdulhamid he got admitted into the NDA. There, he quit his Political Science degree he was pursuing at Federal University Gashua, Yobe State.
The resilience he had always demonstrated about life and his dreams made him to sought for admission into NDA. That was the year he left us at the university and moved to the military academy.
He graduated in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science & Defence Studies. Due to the restrictions by the military training school, only a few were able to attend his passing out parade. Late Abdulhamid and a colleague painstakingly organised a walimah to celebrate the feat when he returned to Jos, days after the POP.
He was first posted to 177 Guard Battalion, Shittu Alao Barracks. He would always tell me how he felt imposter syndrome when he saw the number of soldiers he led. He would often say, there’s nothing beyond God’s power.
Later on, he was transferred to Biu in Borno State in the North East to join the country’s fight against Boko Haram insurgents.
It was a turnaround moment for him. I would say since he was posted there, there’s no conversation that would pass without him soliciting for prayers. His number was not always reachable. You get to speak with him only if he called.
Also, every Friday, there’s a Friday sms he sends to his contacts. He also talked about death frequently. The contents of his posts on WhatsApp were mostly about death. It was either about the fluidity of life or colleagues who had died while in the military.
It’s safe to assume he planned for it after one looks at his life. Luckily, he died on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan after he led other gallant men in Tahajjud and even Subh prayers the previous night.
There was a family of his late brother whom he took all their responsibilities. Nobody knew about how he had catered for the family until his demise. Even days before Eid al-Fitr, he had already sent new clothes for the entire of his late brother whom he had promised to never let the children know what it feels like to be orphans.
More than a month after his death, while I was planning to travel to Jos for Eid al-Adha celebrations, my dad called me that he had received a call from Abdulhamid’s brother, Ahmed in which he notified him about his late brother’s will. He said he left two rams; one for Ahmed and the other for my dad. And, it was sent down from Borno State, where he kept them before his death.
It was the second consecutive year he sent my dad a Sallah ram.
Both the previous Eids were a moment of sober reflection for our family. While others celebrated Eid al-Fitr we were mourning the tragic death of a beloved brother, friend and pious soldier. During the just-concluded Eid too, we had a reason to reflect about the life of this gentleman who was good even at death.
Some of his colleagues even told us about other philanthropic activities he had done in the northeastern community they live. He even dug wells and planted trees in the area.
May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Jannatul Firdaus. Amin!
Features
Governor Abba Yusuf Revolutionizes Kano’s Healthcare: Major Hospital Renovations and Free Pediatric Services Mark First Year in Office
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Through the expansion of healthcare infrastructure, an amplification of healthcare accessibility and the liberating provision of essential medicines across all health care facilities in the state, Governor Abba has substantially elevated the overall health and vitality of Kano people across the 44 local governments.
At the same time, the establishment and reconstruction of health care facilities as well as the revitalization of social programs in the state.
It was within his one year period that his administration took decisive action by confiscating and renovating the Hasiya Bayero Pediatric Hospital. This facility now stands as a strong pillar in providing health care services for children in need of medical care.
Over 200,000 children have received free medical services at the renovated hospital, ensuring that no child is left behind.
Part of his prioritized agenda to ensure the modernization of healthcare infrastructure in the state, Governor Abba has achieved general renovation of Sir Sanusi General Hospital, Nuhu Bamalli Hospital, and BELA General Hospital which have significantly improved patient care. These hospitals now offer state-of-the-art facilities, with better equipment, and enhanced services.
The ‘Abba Care Program,’ launched at the Kano State Ministry of Health, is another giant achievement in one year of his office that focuses on improving healthcare services related to sickle cell anemia.
Through awareness campaigns, early detection, and specialized care, Governor Abba ensured that the program aims to alleviate the burden of this genetic disorder across the state.
He equally ratified the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Murtala Hospital Emergency Department in an attempt to strengthen emergency healthcare services. The hospital now actively operates efficiently, providing critical care to patients during emergencies.
His administration also championed the legislation mandating premarital health screening for all prospective couples. This proactive approach not only ensures healthier families but also reduces the burden of hereditary diseases.
Within his one year in office, the state government facilitated the supply and installation of modern ICU equipment and other essentials. This is an investment that enhances critical care services, saving lives and improving patient outcomes.
Features
Remembering my late sister: Hajiya Salamatu Ajiun Abdulrauf
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By AbdurRaheem Sa’ad Dembo
It was at the peak of COVID-19 pandemic, precisely May 22nd, 2020 and a day to the end of Ramadan fast when death struck and took her away from us. On the 29th day of Ramadan, she was served her food to break fast but she could not, and that marked the end of an era in our family. Her selflessness was beyond
description. A good family woman who did not in any way jettison her family. She could travel from Lagos to Ilorin in order to attend family events as many times as possible within a year. She was not a millionaire but she had a heart of giving. Her investment on us has paid off.
We lost our father at a time some of us could not fend for ourselves but we have elder brothers, sisters and even cousins who were selfless, and they assisted us in actualizing our dreams. A woman would always be woman; they have large heart and there is a way they always do their things with care and spice. As an undergraduate student in Bayero University, Kano; before resuming to school for a new semester, it was willy-nilly to visit Lagos and get cash from her.
My observation of her was that of a woman with a great mind. She was not educated as such but had exposure that could match or compete with some who had privilege to get higher education. How do you know a great mind? Certainly, it is through selfless attitude and her contributions to humanity. There is no any discussion you would embark upon and she would not contribute immensely. At that point you would look and appreciate her for being an enlightened person.
I learnt the culture of giving from observing my father and selflessness of my brothers and sisters; it is a profitable enterprise. If I have had selfish brothers, sisters and cousins I might not have had the opportunity of going to school. I might have ended up somewhere less glamorous in the society. An educated person sometimes may not be rich or enmesh in a perpetual poverty but he would be free from shackles of ignorance and penury. Like the common saying “We are acquiring education to overcome or have a say over poverty” .But being educated and rich at the same time; ultimately the prerogative of Allah
If you are building somebody; you are invariably helping yourself. My sister is no more alive but her good deeds still illuminating and resonating in our minds. Despite her huge investment in us, she would never ask you to go and bring anything even though she deserved everything from us.
Significantly, it is not until one is rich before he or she can help. If one is waiting for that time, it may never come. Like the popular saying on the social media, “it is not the rich people that help, but the good people”.
My sister was blunt; if you had offended her she would tell you. She had no heart for malice. Another beautiful thing about her was the way she united the family. She did not belong to that class of women that would say “let us scatter everything”. Of course, if you scatter everything, everything would go worse.
If we’re alive and seeing each other; it is a rare opportunity to be kind and fair to one another. The reason is simple, because there would be a time death will overtake us one after the other and we would account for our deeds. We should always be patient with one another. A united family is far greater and stronger than the scattered ones.
On 12th December, 2023 I was in Lagos on official assignment, but I was not elated. I told my nephew that any time I was in Lagos it was usually a boring experience after my sister’s demise.
Eulogising our own Ajiun Omo Ade in a singular tone of mine won’t be sufficient and that’s why I had to reach out to some members of the family to tell their own perspective of her.
A foremost politician, Alhaji Ahmad Alfa Dembo describes her this way, “Ajiun united the family and would never want to see anyone in difficulty. She always rejoiced with whoever that was doing well among family members.She would ensure that she prevents anything that might pave way for misunderstanding among family members. She was a great lover of the family”
A retired Warrant Officer II , Nigerian Army, Mallam Usman Dembo captured her personality thus “She was very liberal , accommodating, and has no hate in her mind. She was honest and straight-forward .Above all ,she was always on the side of the truth.May Allah increase His mercy on her.
Alhaji Shuaib Lanre Dembo, a retired Training Manager, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja said,” Ajiun was a team player who felt at home with everyone in the family irrespective of the lineage. She was so much loved by my wife because she accorded my wife the respect she gave me. She helped resolved some disputes I can’t mention here. She is really missed.”
The Imam of Masalasi Alfa n’ta ,Sheikh Salihu Sa’ad Dembo said Alhaja Ajiun was a good elder sister , who had done her best in uniting the family of her father and that of her husband. She was generous, prayerful, kind, and one who hardly gets angry. She was a guardian to him as her advice had worked for him on several occasions. He asserted that to the best of his knowledge, she was submissive and kind to her husband.He prayed Allah to overlook her inadequacies and that of her husband by granting them aljannah firdaus
Hajiya Maryam Imam Bashir, who is the second wife of Chief Imam of Ilorin describes her aptly: “She was kind and generous,and a family unifier.May Allah grant her aljannah firdaus”
Sheikh Hassan Sa’ad Dembo,who is also the Khalifatul Quadriyya in Portharcourt ,River State opines “Alhaja Salamatu Ajiun was a good sister, she united the family and was not selfish. She always stand with family members either in good or bad time. During my wedding she bought
clothes for me and my wife. If you visit her in Lagos she would treat you with comprehensive hospitality”
In the words of Ajanasi Makana,Mallam Yusuf Sa’ad Dembo, “She was so compassionate, kind, prayerful, and she loved saying the truth”
Mrs Shakira Abdulrauf is her eldest child. Here is what she has to say about her late mother,” My mother was not temperamental. She was kind, caring, and a family unifier.
She was so generous that she could spend her last kobo and began to look for another money the following day.
She had no hate and did not underrate anyone either among friends or family. May Allah continue to grant her mercy by granting her aljannah firdaus”
Yusuf Issa Aloba, a staff of Kwara Inland Revenue Service also has this to say about her
“She was generous to a fault, she was a pillar for me during my undergraduate days, She upheld the family ties.
I know I owe her a lot. I’m happy that at least I was able to visit her during an official training in Lagos, at the same house we used to stay whenever we went for holidays . She was very happy when she saw me, she said ” Amuda, eku ojo meta”
When I heard the news of her death I was shocked and I said to myself, I’m I dreaming? I wished she could live longer for me to reciprocate her generosity. May jannatul Firdaus be her final abode.”
Alhaja Ajiun was not only a sister but also Godsent. She understood me so much that by mere looking at me she knew what I wanted.May Allah forgive her shortcomings.
Finally, May Allah reward her with aljannah firdaus and bless her children she left behind.Ya Allah equally bless those who have touched our lives positively: family members, friends, and outsiders.
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