Abdulaziz Mohammed was a childhood friend. While he lived at Bayajidda Street, I was at Argungu Road. We met during our childhood football competitions between streets as it was a regular occurrence then. We struck a conversation and ultimately became friends.
He was a good football analyst, commentator and official. He loved football as much as I did back then. He contributed his quota in management and managerial skills while I was a football referee. He was an ardent supporter of DIC Bees which later metamorphosed into Ranches Bees while I was a diehard of UNTL football club. He was a committed, dedicated, robust and successful football manager.
In the political sphere we met in the same party the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC), moved together to the Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN) and separated in our choices in 1998. He opted to join the All People’s Party (APP) which later became All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) while I settled for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
We met again while in the administration of Arc Mohammed Namadi Sambo, he was a commissioner while I was a special adviser. He subsequently crossed over to the PDP and before the 2019 elections he went back to the APC.
Since then our parts never crossed each other until he became a pioneer member of Kaduna Doka Development Association (KADDA), an organization he belonged to until his death.
I was privileged to pay him a visit about a month ago and we had the opportunity to discuss on a wide range of issues. He said cate, a nickname he calls me for The Cat which happens to be my nickname. He urged me to make necessary contacts that will help alleviate the ailment [which he suffered from], a job I started until this shocking news of his demise.
AbdulAziz has lived a fulfilled life, fought a good fight and was indeed a good man. Adieus until we meet to part no more he was indeed a worthy associate.
Umar Sani was Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Vice President Namadi Sambo of Nigeria (2010-2015)