AMINU HALILU TUDUNWADA – KANO
Half -a- dozen times from my thoughts to dreams and imagination, I kept on hearing the soft tiptoeing, ringing in my ear followed by soft hushing and clearing of the throat, then the usual trademark, “Aminu is time for prayer I knew you are awake ” in his polite calm manner and absolute command, then he proceeds to wake up my siblings, it’s trademark routine, and guess the time? Yeah, it is ‘Subh’ time for early morning prayer, the first of five dailies.
The voice is nobody other than our late father Halilu Tudun Wada, who today February 22nd is in his Eight years since he left us and answer the glorious call of Allah (SWT), to the cold hands of death.
They said everyone has his shortcomings, but for the umpteenth time till his death, I didn’t find anything worth scrutiny or criticisms or bad, as he’s always in the front line leading the way in the right path.
A strict disciplinarian who holds absolute authority not only in his home but anywhere, everywhere he is. A leader by example, juror, scholar, teacher, and reservoir of knowledge both western and religious.
Or what about family? A kind of complete gentlemen you are clamoring or dream to have, that takes his responsibility without a flinch, a man that you will never ever dare to substitute with a King, rich or famous as he provides virtually all in life to make yours fulfill, a complete ‘Art beyond the gallery walls.
For all my life, and the time I grew up to know my father, he never misses five daily congregational prayers no matter what, when, where the place is in city, town, farm, or in the forest, he only misses it when he’s sick or circumstances beyond his control, but never ‘ABBA’ miss his beloved Sallah (Prayer ), clad in Abada (Babbar Riga ), or ‘Taguwa’ as he fondly called her, with his counting beard always in his right hand, an image that is iconic and visible to any person that knew him.
Also, a loyal public servant, that serve the nation and state diligently with patriotic vigour, which earned him recognition and honour and prizes, ranging from the colonial government to regional and even Military one, that cherished his vast knowledge in Agriculture especially in Wheat Farming.
I could go on writing voluminous chapters upon chapters on this great gentleman that left us, 18 in numbers both Male and Female, with Grandchildren. Our prayers are always with you father, ‘Allah yaji kanka ya gafarta maka Abba, yasa can tafi nan, yasa kana Aljanna madaukakiya Amin !!!
