From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
It was a morning filled with tears, testimonies, and thanksgiving as family, colleagues, and friends gathered at the ECWA Gospel Church in Marafa Estate, Kaduna, for the first anniversary thanksgiving service in loving memory of the late Mrs. Hajara Imam Maikano Samson and the official launch of the Hajara Imam Maikano Foundation in Kaduna.
Delivering the thanksgiving speech, the husband of the deceased, who is the Chairman of the Nigeria Institution of Surveyors (NIS), Kaduna State Chapter, Surv. Maikano Samson, MNIS, stated that the service was not only to remember his wife but to continue her legacy.
“Today is not only about remembering Hajara; it is also about continuing the legacy she left behind. One thing I admired most about my wife was her heart for people. She never needed much to share with others. She had compassion for the less privileged, cared deeply about children, respected the elderly, and always searched for ways to uplift those around her,” he said.
He added that those qualities inspired the creation of the foundation, which he described as a way to ensure that her life continues to speak.
“Though she is no longer with us physically, her values of love, kindness, compassion, service, and faith can continue to touch lives. Through this Foundation, we hope, by God’s grace, to support widows, orphans, vulnerable children, education, youth empowerment, healthcare, environmental sustainability, and other humanitarian causes,” Samson stated.
He called on well-meaning individuals to partner with the Foundation through prayers, ideas, professional expertise, and support. He also disclosed that the family is preparing a book in memory of Hajara.
“We had sincerely hoped to unveil it today, but we felt it deserved more time so that her story could be told with the care and dignity it deserves. We have therefore decided to include today’s thanksgiving service, the launch of this Foundation, your goodwill messages, your prayers, and the testimonies from this occasion as part of that book,” he added.
Speaking personally about the last year, Samson admitted that it had not been easy.
“Actually, it has not been easy. It is up and down. Sometimes we cry. We regain our strength. We look up to God, and we keep moving. The demise of my wife created a great vacuum in my life that only God can fill,” he said.
“I lost the woman I loved. I lost my companion. I lost the person with whom I planned to grow old. But even after all that, God did not leave us. He carried us. He comforted us. He provided for us. Today, I can boldly testify that God is giving us beauty for ashes. Our mourning has gradually become thanksgiving. Our sorrow has become a testimony.”
Looking to the future, he said: “The plan is in the hands of the Lord. You can see there is even confusion in the church. Some are for, and some are against whether to remarry or not. The decision will be left in the hands of God.
Sincerely, we are no longer afraid. We know God will lead us mightily.”
He urged Nigerians carrying heavy burdens not to give up on God.
“The same God who brought my family through this difficult season will also bring you through yours,” he encouraged.
To his children Hannatu, Habiba, Yusuf, and Abba Yakubu Yakowa, he said: “If there is one thing I want you to remember about your mother, let it be this: She loved God. She loved people. She loved you and me with all her heart. Honor her memory by living lives of integrity, humility, compassion, hard work, and faith in God.”
Tributes also poured in from colleagues and friends who described Hajara as selfless and supportive.
Surveyor Winston Ayeni recalled her dedication to family.
“We come back from conferences, and she is pregnant. She drives the car to come and collect her husband. It is very unusual to find women doing that. We miss her because Samson is now the Chairman of our chapter. Usually, we have surveyors’ wives.
Unfortunately, his wife is gone. This means there will be no leadership from his side for our women. We know God does not give us a problem that is beyond our strength. He will give us the strength, and Samson the strength, to continue,” Ayeni said.
Surveyor Musa Ephraim, who said he had been close to the family, noted the difficulty of raising the children alone. “I know it’s not easy. Always bringing the children to school and taking them home. It has never been easy. But I know that the good Lord will continue to help them and He’s going to see them through,” he said.
Hajiya Zainab Buba Marwa, who met Hajara in 2008 at the Defense Industries Corporation of Nigeria, DICON, described her as humble and generous.
“Hajara is someone who gives until she has nothing to give. She is a selfless human being. She is very humble and respectful.
She calls me Mama. Her children call me Mama. They are family. Her memory is still fresh. It will be there forever,” Marwa said. Samson thanked all guests who traveled from far and near, saying their presence strengthened the family.
“I am very happy because they spared their time and spent their resources to make this day a great day. I did not know that I have people like this. I pray that God will grant them journey mercies back to their destinations,” he said.
He concluded: “Our story did not end at the graveside. Our story did not end in tears. God is still writing our story. What looked like ashes, God is gradually turning into beauty.
To our dear Hajo, thank you for the beautiful life you lived, the love you shared, and the legacy you left behind. May your gentle soul continue to rest in perfect peace until we meet again.” The event ended with prayers for the family and for the success of the Hajara Imam Maikano Foundation.
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