I would like to pay tribute to my parents, Aisha Lawal Abubakar and Umar Sabo Mohammed. Although my father passed away on the 14th of August 2003 when I was very young, I have heard stories about the kind-hearted person he was.
My father was a very hardworking and a very patient man. The first thing that comes from people I meet that knew him was “your father was a good man”. He was very patient and kind to his family as I heard from my mother. You will hardly see him angry so it was a good match as my mother was also a kind and patient being.
I have a vivid memory of when my father visited my maternal grandmother’s house to inform her of his elder brother’s passing. Since I was weaned, I was fostered by my grandmother because my father admired the Islamic-based upbringing and training that she provided.
My father passed away less than two months after the death of his elder brother Adamu. His hypertension led to a sudden increase in his blood pressure, ultimately resulting in his passing. On the day he passed away, he bade farewell to his family and traveled to Abuja.
It was later discovered that he parked his car by the roadside in Abuja and was taken to the National Hospital Abuja, where his death was confirmed. He left behind 16 children of which one was born after his death.
My mother, being his youngest wife, has been a pillar of strength and love in my life. I am grateful for the legacy they have left behind.
The last day I spoke to my mother was on the 1st of August 2019 at about 5pm. I called her when I was about going in for a lecture. She informed me she has been admitted, and will undergo a C-Section.
That information got me worried but she comforted me that her sister also went through the same process to deliver her four kids at intervals, but nothing happened to her. I told her I was going to leave Zaria for Kaduna to be with her but she insisted I wait till the next day because It was late.
“Aunty”, as we called her, was one of the most patient persons I had ever known. You’ll hardly witness her anger as she was slow to anger but quick to forgive and let go. Her siblings usually criticise her leniency on us her children. She was highly obedient to her mother Hajiya Safiyya who died on the 22nd of March 2019. She has always been tolerant of her siblings, near and far relatives as well her colleagues.
May Almighty Allah reunite us all with our parents and all our loved ones in paradise where we shall dwell forever.
- Habiba wrote in from Kaduna
