Browsing: Tribute

There couldn’t have been a more poignant last chapter to a man’s life than my final text exchange with him. He reached out on December 31, 2023, to draw my attention to a Qur’an recital competition in Damaturu, Yobe State, stating that it transpired without deserving prizes. In his typical fashion, he outlined interventions that could align with the noble ambitions of the reciters and organisers. What he didn’t say this time around, while preferring the cloak he wore to redirect our concerns away from his health and towards others, was that he was on the brink of existence. He was in a hospital bed far away from home.

Professor Ango Abdullahi OON, Magajin Rafin Zazzau, is an eminent figure in Northern Nigeria, known for his unwavering commitment to the development and preservation of the region’s interests. As he celebrates his 85th birthday, it is essential to acknowledge his significant contributions as an elder statesman, guardian, mentor, and leader whose inspiring presence has played a pivotal role in keeping the flames of the Northern interest alive.