By Adamu Muhd Usman
“When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.”
— Unknown Author
It seems like yesterday when our eldest sister, Khadija Usman Gamandi, fondly known as Yaata, passed away. Contrary to how recent it feels, she bade us farewell last year, on 21st December 2024—barely four (4) days before the demise of the mother of the Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, on 26th December 2024. Tragically, a day after that loss, his eldest son, Abdul Wahab Umar Namadi, also died in an auto crash while travelling to our hometown, Kafin-Hausa, to join the family in mourning his grandmother, Hajia Maryam Namadi.
My sister Khadija (Yaata) remains alive in my heart because of her character and virtues. She was the first child among the fifteen (15) children of our late father, Malam Usman (Manu).
One thing I can never forget about her is her courage, care, patience, passion, honesty, and unwavering commitment to looking after her siblings. She also treated the over one hundred and fifty (150) grandchildren of our father with love, generosity, and compassion. She was always proactive in reconciling and uniting the extended family of late Manu. Yaata, we remember and pray for you day and night. May Allah have mercy on your soul.
As I mourned my sister’s passing last year, a similar grief befell the Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi. At that painful moment of our loss, the Governor sent his wife, the First Lady, Hajia Hadiza Umar Namadi, to console me and the entire family while he was away abroad. He also personally sent a condolence message. I truly appreciate this kind gesture. Thank you, Your Excellency, for your compassion, care, and prudent leadership.
In this regard, I deeply sympathise with Malam Umar’s grief, as the Governor experienced a devastating double tragedy within 24 hours, barely four days after ours. He lost his biological mother, Hajia Maryam Namadi, on Wednesday, 25th December 2024, and his eldest son, Abdul Wahab Umar Namadi, on Thursday, 26th December 2024, while he was away on an official visit to China.
Indeed, Hajia Maryam Namadi, the Governor’s mother, lives on through a remarkable life worthy of eulogising and emulation. I knew her for over forty-five (45) years. Affectionately called Iya Hajja, she was a woman of deep faith, kindness, simplicity, generosity, and openness.
She was passionately committed to fostering relationships, promoting reconciliation, and ensuring peace and stability within her family, the Kafin-Hausa community, and beyond. A philanthropist at heart, her life of service remains an inspiration and worthy of emulation.
At this juncture, as the memories of my sister, Malam Umar’s mother, and his son mark one year since their demise, I pray that Allah (SWT) grants Governor Namadi and his family the fortitude to bear this immense loss, and that He grants eternal rest to his departed loved ones, my sister, and all other deceased souls in Al-Jannatul Firdaus.
Adamu writes from Kafin-Hausa, Jigawa State.
