Tribute to my mother Abagbayi Kuwa

By Muazu Abari

When my beloved daddy, Alhaji Haruna Abari (Sarkin Yakin Keana), passed on shortly before I got admission to the University of Maiduguri in 1999, I thought I will no longer survive. This was my intimacy my dad and the love, care and affection he showered on me; may Allah continued to rest his soul.
It was my mother who broke the sad news of his death to me in far away Kano. On the fateful day, I was at the Bayero University, Kano to pursue my admission having chosen the university as my second choice and having already lost 1998 admission exercise of Unimaid which was my preferred university and felt that I cannot wait for another year to reapply to Unimaid.
On returning home I met my mother with other women discussing and wearing gloomy faces. On seeing they changed their mood pretending all is well but felt my father had died given the condition I left him in his hospital bed. Shortly after, my mother summoned courage and said to me, “Alaji kobowun”, as she fondly called me “kayi hakuri fa, Allah yayi ma babanka rasuwa”, Hausa literally meaning take heart, your father is dead, confirming my worst fear.
When I got admission to Unimaid in 1999 academic session after turning down BUK admission which gave me a course I didn’t like I promised to fulfil all my dad’s wishes and take good care of my mother who laboured for me and my sisters who are mostly orphans without both parents. After my youth service I looked forward to the future with high hopes and optimism.
The reality of life dawned me given the saying that not all that glitters is gold. This implies that, it is not being curious to graduate that matters nor is it all about intelligent or hardwork but it is also about luck and destiny. After years in the labour market, I found myself in the journalism profession courtesy of a compassionate mother Hajiya.Zainab Sulaiman Okino, the then managing editor of Leadership newspapers where I started my journalism career. She is currently, the chairperson of the Editorial Board of Blueprint newspapers.
Death has cheated me for the second time. My mother died when I was fast asleep in far away Yola denying me the opportunity to see her corpse or participate in her funeral prayer as it did with my dad .What have I done wrong to death? The only thing that had remained for me in this world is gone forever.
The only person I pray to leave in this world for has left me. Who will call me Alaji kobohun? Who will tell me “Owuso ka nado ona korore? Who will tell me Allah ne damu? Who will I turn to for advice, guidance and prayers? Who will I call mumsy? Oh death why me again? You have really cheated me and took away the most precious person I cherished in this world when I was yet to pay my dues to her as her only son.
You did not just take her away but also denied me the opportunity to bid her farewell. How I wish I can rewind the hands of time by bringing her back to life and fulfill all my plans for her. How I wish I can have another chance to say goodbye.
But I believe your good deeds, sacrifices and people’s testimonies about you as well a close relationship you established with God and people during your life time will see you through in your grave and secure a permanent place for you in Aljannatu fildausi. Although, I can’t question God but your memory and the pains of losing you will live with me forever. This Alago word “Abagbayi kuwa” you leave me with will forever remain in my memory.
The fact that it was a Friday with a downpour further strengthened my conviction that you died a good death. Testimonies about what you did few minutes to your death are confirmation that God has accepted your soul in his kingdom. May he forgive all your shortcomings, ease your grave and secure a place for you in Aljannatu fildausi. Adieu, sweet mom, my love and prayers will forever be with you.

Muazu Abari is a Public Affairs Analyst.