On April 7, 2018, Mahuta – the headquarters of Fakai Local Government Area of Zuru Emirate in Kebbi State, was a beehive of activities as the chiefdom brought together its illustrious sons and daughters at a civic reception it held. General Mohammed Magoro, a distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Galadiman Zuru and the “most” illustrious son chaired the occasion, supported by the Royal Father of the day, the Emir of Zuru, General Mohammed Sani Sami (Sami Gomo II), with the Executive Governor of the state, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu as the Special Guest of Honor.
At the event, deserving sons and daughters were honored. Sitting almost 12,000 kilometers away from home, I was asked to write a citation on one of the honorees, our dear father, Hon Ibrahim Mohammed Marafa Mahuta (Wamban Fakai). It was a daunting assignment. I spent a couple of days with no words coming. Remembering a dear and loving father, I became very emotional.
We do not claim him alone, but he stood larger than life in his lifetime; he was more than a father to the community. He was a teacher, an educationist, a planner, served as a local government administrator, auditor, National Union of Local Government Employees and was elected as member of the short-lived National Assembly in 1992. He eventually became the first chairman of Fakai Local Governmet Area.
I read the note again asking me to write the citation. Thank God, there was a word limit. So I put pencil to paper literally and this is what I wrote, for our dear father:
“Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Rajiun” meaning “We belong to Allah and to him we shall return”. Our father was an educator. He rose from being a teacher and was popularly known as EO (Education officer) in the community. While growing up, we saw him as a teacher, a mentor and an educator. For these, he was well known.
Every child fears a parent dying, and nothing prepares one for it. When I received the note asking me to write a citation on our beloved father, it was difficult to put words and all the thoughts on paper. I believe many other people can do this as well, even better.
It is a couple of years since we confronted the reality that our father is no more with us. The hurt is the same today as it was the day we heard the news. Sometimes, it becomes too painful to remember, but as we all know, life is not forever as Allah SWT says: “….and to Us, you will be returned” Quran, 21:35. A man’s life is defined, to a great extent, by his values and his passions. Our father’s values are uncontested and his passions include education, religion, family and generally people around him.
The testimony that we are witnessing today, is that our father lived his life to the fullest and was loved by many. His sincerity and genuine concern for others endeared him to many. Many others can say this more than we the children. Although our family has shed many tears and no matter how independent we seem to be, we are one people, surrounded by extended family and happy friends. During the days following our fathers passing, many visitors sincerely and emotionally praised his virtues, values and mentioned the good things about him.
According to Allah (SWT), it is hugely commendable to articulate, broadcast and amplify the virtues, qualities and credits of a dead person. In fact, Quran 53:39 indicated that “the human being will benefit from nothing other than his own work”. His work was dedicated to serving others. Our father loved truth and truthfulness. He indeed tried to be truthful in whatever decisions he took during his life time. His truthfulness was not only for this life, but for the life hereafter which is the purpose of our life on earth.
Our father didn’t tell us how to live, but he lived and let us watch him do it. His presence was a strong lesson in life that remained with us even after several years of passing. He nurtured, supported and brought us up within the means available to him. He indeed cheered every success and inspired us to push higher.
Although young, we really sat down for conversations, we watched his actions closely and remember vividly the large number of friends, relatives, co-workers and at that time classmates of his that always come home to visit. For him, it was a beautiful journey of fatherhood, which he inculcated with Islamic values. These values he preached subtly and portrayed the qualities of a devout Muslim until the twilight of his time.
The Islamic values he preached was clear in his actions: do not count on worldly possessions as we are visitors on earth who will sooner or later return to our real home. In most of the time that we knew him in his lifetime, he spent a lot of time observing prayers, supplications and reciting portions of the glorious Quran. For as long as I can remember, Dad has always been an epitome of wisdom. This is clear with the various leadership positions that he held at the state and local levels during his time of public service.
Dad was always very calm when it comes to problem solving and counselling. His mantra that I remember from a very young age is that “it is worthwhile to help others and be helpful to others.” As he counselled us on education, a profession he became well known for, it was clear that he held it as prime. He once indicated that education is an inheritance that once you have, no one can take it away from you. This he had mentioned severally and wished that we could relay the same to his grandchildren. And this we pledge to continue to do in earnest.
He was definitely a man of integrity, very content with life, who believed deeply in God. He is an absolute timeless icon in our lives and in the community at large. Whenever his name is mentioned, many images come to mind. It really seems that without him in our lives, things will never have been the same.
To our father, we say: if it is our own choice, we would always keep you here. But God has reasons and plans for you that we cannot know. Dad, we are all grown up now, and it is a brand new day. We pledge to continue your legacy and put a smile on your face in Jannatul Firdausi.
Professor Lawal M. Marafa sent in this tribute from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, China.
