by Mukhtar Jarmajo
The arrangement here on earth is such that we perambulate all over the place as we await our hour of departure. The departure is one that is neither advanced nor postponed. And once it is time, there will be nothing between us and death, it will come and takeaway the so destined irrespective of position, gender or place.
And so it whisked away Shuaibu Aliyu on Thursday night without recourse to the fact that his parents, wife and children, relatives, friends and colleagues will be shocked by his death. He was on his way returning home from Abuja when he had an auto accident that proved terminal.
By Friday morning, the news of his demise broke and all we could say was “innalillahi was inna ilaihir raji’un.” The sun had set at noon and it will not rise again. At 10:00am, his funeral prayer took place and was interned in accordance with Islamic injunctions.
The number of sympathizers that attended the prayer is enough prove that Comrade, as he was also known, lived peacefully with the people. A man of the people he was. As a student, he was a leader and as a lecturer, he was a guide in the truest meaning of the word.
In the little time he lived and despite that I got to know him only as recent as during our university days, we have had several engagements. And that we were in the same department of Architecture says so much of how our paths have crossed. We served as members of the Association of Environmental Technology Students (AETS) Caretaker Committee together.
Lest I forget, he was the Captain of his class. Even then, Comrade was known for dedication, determination and commitment. He was like the proverbial candle that burns itself to give light to others. He solved problems for others who never knew how his problems were solved.
Even the last issue I discussed with him was about his community. It was about how they were trying hard to complete the construction of their community Mosque. In my understanding, he was one of those who volunteered to mobilize resources, both in kind and in cash, to facilitate the completion of the work.
The last time he sent me a message was on 23rd of last month. He saw a work I did and remarked as thus: “This is very impressive gaskiya… Allah ya qara basira.” He was sincere and genuine in his intentions as he was in his words.
Heartfelt condolences to his parents, wife, children, brothers and sisters. Condolences to Architecture Department, ATBU, Bauchi. Condolences to the ATBU Alumni. Condolences to the Bauchi state chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA). Condolences to us all. May he find eternal peace.
Jarmajo writes from Bauchi
