As Baba Buhari Clocks 40 Days in Grave -By Bilyaminu Gambo Kong-kol

Since my father passed away on July 14th, 2016, no other death has shocked me as deeply as the demise of Former President Muhammadu Buhari. My father’s death was shocking because it was the first time I experienced the loss of someone so close to me, and it happened in my presence. It marked the end of a relationship that had lasted more than two decades. However, I understand that it was an order from our Creator, and according to Allah’s plan, that was the right time for my father to leave this world. We too will depart at any moment. Today, I am not here to write a eulogy for my father—that would require an entire book with dozens of chapters.

If there is one man who positively influenced my educational life during my undergraduate years, it is Baba Buhari. At one point, my highest and only benefactor in my family, Uncle Muhammad Dahiru Abdullahi, asked me where I was getting money as a student at Bayero University Kano (BUK). I told him I had a Kano boss in the business who gave me clothes and shoes to sell, a necessary little fabrication whose details I will not disclose here.

Even before I joined BUK in 2018, Baba Buhari’s wife, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, had already reshaped my academic journey in 2017. I remember lying down in room 01 at number 06, Ibbi Street, Shagari Phase I, Yola Town, when Ibrahim Ismail, my coursemate at Adamawa State Polytechnic, informed me that Hajiya Aishatu Buhari would be offering free training in Public Speaking for Adamawa youths. Ibrahim Ismail is like a twin to me in broadcasting and academia; whatever I do, he tends to do better.

Together, we visited Konngol Silvertongue Media and Language Training Institute,Yola where indeed Adamu Garba, with whom I struggled in journalism, did not apply for personal reasons. Out of 70 to 80 applicants, about 30 to 40 of us were admitted after interviews. This marked the beginning of our new life in journalism.

I recall Ibrahim anchoring our first event at Aliyu Mustapha College, Yola, where Hajiya Aisha Buhari was present. I also anchored our graduation ceremony. Even after graduation, the Adamawa State Future Assured Coordinator, Hajiya Zainab Tukur Zumo, requested that I come to Adamawa, wherever I was in Nigeria, to anchor another event at Lelewal Motel that was scheduled to be graced by Hajiya Aisha Buhari. She wanted to show the then First Lady that her support was not in vain. I accepted, and I successfully anchored the event with Captain Muhammad Bamanga as MC II.

The Public Speaking training provided by Hajiya Aishatu Buhari enabled me to organize the most celebrated talent show for my Level 200 students at the Federal University of Kashere, Gombe State. Neither I nor the students anticipated such outstanding performances. Unknown to them and the university community, this was a gesture extended by President Muhammadu Buhari.

This six-month programme facilitated connections that shaped my life. Notably, I was immediately employed by Pulaaku FM, Yola as well as two private schools following my training with Future Assured. Additionally, I connected with relatives of Hajiya Aisha Buhari in Yola, some of whom were students at Konngol Silvertongue Media and Language Training Institute.

When Hajiya Aisha Buhari’s brother, Dr. Mahmoud Halilu Ahmed, mni established NAS FM Yola in 2020, their brother Laminu Hammawa Malabu insisted that I work at the station despite being just a Level 300 student at BUK. I was then employed as a part-time staff member, with the understanding that permanent appointment would follow upon completion of my degree. I earned a monthly salary of #10,000 regardless of whether I was in school or in Adamawa, a figure later increased to #25,000 under the administration of Alhaji Musa Waziri Hardawa.

Upon completing my degree, I was offered permanent appointment alongside two other options: to serve as Correspondent at the Adamawa Government House or to relocate to the sub-station in Mubi to assume the role of Manager, News and Current Affairs. I chose the latter for reasons known to me.

On my way to Mubi to assume this role on August 16th, 2023, BUK released the final year results announcing my emergence as the Best Graduating Student in my department, with a CGPA of 4.46 out of 5.00. This achievement was in part due to the Future Assured training and other support from President Muhammadu Buhari.

When I resigned as Manager of News and Current Affairs at NAS FM Mubi, the Founder, Dr. Mahmoud Halilu Ahmed, mni, approved a token of appreciation amounting to #200,000, in addition to extra allowances and my final month’s salary.

I must admit that I am among the few fortunate Nigerians who studied without financial burdens. Besides my uncle Muhammad Dahiru Abdullahi’s support, BUK awarded me scholarships for three consecutive years for being the Best Student in all academic sessions, amounting to #150,000. The Adamawa State Government also awarded me a scholarship totaling #54,000 over three years.

Yet, the external highest benefactor was President Muhammadu Buhari. I recall reading in a nearby bush behind the Faculty of Law when my small phone rang three times. I prefer studying outdoors rather than in the library and rarely go out with a smartphone to avoid distractions.

When I finally checked, I found three messages alerting me of a #90,000 Survival Fund from Buhari’s administration. At that moment, I had less than #10,000 in my account. My mood shifted instantly to calmness and joy, but my brain refused to absorb anything from the book I was holding. I tried repeatedly but failed to concentrate. I surrendered, prepared to accept whatever grade the lecturer would give. Fortunately, I escaped with a B grade in that three-credit unit course.

Before the #90,000 Survival Fund, Buhari’s administration also granted me a COVID-19 loan of about #400,000—the highest amount I received as a student. This happened while Professor Hadiza Jummai Ibrahim was lecturing on Community Broadcasting, making it the simplest course with easy language. Yet, when the alert came through, all words sounded foreign to me. It was the first lecture I attended with an empty head but a full smile.

Beyond the financial gains, this very piece you are reading owes its existence to Baba Buhari. My writing skills sharpened significantly during the Future Assured training. After completing the training, I published dozens of articles in almost all major national dailies in Nigeria. Before I forget, the Senior Special Assistant on New Media to the Bauchi State Governor, Lawal Mu’azu Bauchi, employed us as his media team under the leadership of Mallam Sulaiman Maijama’a, providing us with a monthly stipend.

The main reason I love teaching my students and fellow journalists the little I have learned is that I received my education on a platter of gold. Were it not for Allah’s will, I may not have advanced beyond primary school.

One trait I borrowed from Baba Buhari is his firmness and occasional rigidity in decisions. Anyone who was trained under my supervision can testify that extra effort is required to meet the responsibilities I delegate.

At this juncture, my heart must reluctantly accept that Baba Buhari is truly gone. May Allah forgive him and grant him Jannatul Firdaus. May He give his family the strength to bear this immense loss. Baba Buhari may be gone, but his legacy and impact remain deeply etched in our hearts. I am forever indebted.

Bilyaminu Gambo Kong-kol writes from the Department of Mass Communication, Federal University of Kashere, Gombe State.
Email: bilyaminugambokonkol20@gmail.com