Adieu ‘Maman Daddy’

Moreso, the undisputable cordial relationship she had with a crème of contemporary muslim women and neighbours of other faith around Mararaba and Nyanya axes of the FCT influenced the shift in the pattern of the subject – as the official identity of the deceased has been sacrificed in lieu of the name the society accorded […]

Moreso, the undisputable cordial relationship she had with a crème of contemporary muslim women and neighbours of other faith around Mararaba and Nyanya axes of the FCT influenced the shift in the pattern of the subject – as the official identity of the deceased has been sacrificed in lieu of the name the society accorded the principal feature of this article.

My wife, Aishatu Sulaiman Ayagi popularly known and called ‘Maman Daddy’ in reference and acknowledgement to Africa’s culture of her supposed–to–be first baby called Muhammad Sani.  Incidentally, Muhammad Sani was not her first child but was only privileged to follow her to Abuja while being cuddled as a toddler hence his name was tied with that of his mother as ‘Daddy’ in memory of his grandfather. Against this background my late wife became known and called by her neighbours in Abuja as ‘Maman Daddy’ while the deceased husband was transferred and relocated from their home state, Kano.  Therefore, Hajiya Aishatu Ayagi would have clocked 14,235 days on 17th February, 2015 or celebrated her 39th birthday.  Maman Daddy’s eventful sojourn on this planet was not cut short of 7 days or more by Allah (SWT), rather she met her destined and allocated days in this world which the tragic event befell our family on Tuesday, 10th February, 2015.
It would be recalled that Maman Daddy had no sign of departing us except a premonition the Almighty and Giver/Taker of life accorded her to utter while on telephone conversation with a sister of hers to the hearing of this author.   She summed up her premonition as follows: “…hopefully, if I deliver within a few days, I am optimistic to reach Kano on Tuesday by flight as it’s a 45-minute journey for the naming ceremony.”   Unknown to both parties, “Tuesday” was real!  And the Almighty has taken back His servant. The rest is now history!
One imagines the terminal end of partnership after a 2½ decades of coexistence as a couple.   As Hausa people succinctly put it:  ‘kunne ya girmi kaka.’   One rose to learn how the seed of relationship was planted by our elders.  The author’s mum, being a nephew of the deceased, requested for the hand of ‘young Aisha’ while on a congratulatory visit for her birth in February, 1976! A family source narrated the immediate consent of her dad, the late Alhaji Shehu Mai Fulawa of Chediyar ‘yan Gurasa Quarters, Kano.  Literally, the late Maman Daddy became the author’s       wife–designate pre–naming ceremony!  Posterity has vindicated our elders right that their decision is Allah’s!
Though she died on labour at a hospital in Abuja on the fateful Tuesday, there was no sign that I will, and other entire family and associates miss the deceased.   As usual, the deceased was always in self–prayers for a less painful birth experience in addition to her husband’s routine prayers aimed at a successful birth and subsequent ceremony that may come up.  My late wife, having performed the Subh prayer (as scheduled), woke up full of life, hale and hearty!  One recalls though painfully that the deceased notified me of sighting delivery signs or pains as the case may be but without any severe condition on her face or condition that predicts her terminal hours.   In fact, she single–handedly completed arranging the needful materials demanded by her hospital in preparation for a safe delivery!  Whereas the deceased’s husband and the accompanying female friend, Hajiya Lubabatu Sani Bawa Waje (May Allah reward her abundantly) escorted the deceased to her registered hospital, neither of the party was aware that Aisha, as called by Kano people, was to breathe her last at King’s Care Hospital!   Allahum–mag firha, War hamha, Wa’anta Khairur Rahimin!
Was it real?  Yes, it was!  That was the answer received from a hospital attendant when the lifeless body of the deceased was sighted by her agonizing and visibly shocked husband of over 25 years laid stretch on the hospital bed!  
However, the late Maman Daddy’s public acknowledgement of her tremendous good neighborliness and religious cause came to the fore within a twinkle of aneye when the news of her demise spread like a bush fire.  The presence of numerous neighbours, especially women, including those around the vicinities of Nyanya, main Mararaba, Karu, One–Man Village, Masaka and Ruga strongly attests to a successful sojourn by the late Aisha.     This is in addition to the presence of male sympathizers who left their businesses in defiance of the notorious and unfriendly traffic situation the Mararaba/Nyanya axis is known for.  Notable among  the early callers are Alhaji Ahmed Rufa’i Mohammed, a former MD/CEO of NSITF, Engr. Baba Umara Mustapha, Special/Technical  Assistant to Hon. Minister of State of Power Ustaz Yusuf Adam Gurku, the Chief Imam of Mararaba U–Turn Juma’at Mosque and an Abuja–based estate surveyor, Alhaji Hassan Adamu.
Though the late Aisha Ayagi died in her prime, she was able to develop her long-term passion of becoming a teacher in spite of being a full–time purdah woman by acquiring a Nigerian Certificate of Education (NCE) under the Distance Learning Program of the National Teachers’ Institute, Kaduna and was employed to practise the teaching profession with an Asokoro–based private school.
Her short stint at the school did not, in anyway discourage her zeal and determination to promote the Islamic cause, especially among the weak, a development that influenced the executives of an Islamic organization (in Mararaba) to appoint her Secretary.  Maman Daddy’s pedigree in the Islamic cause may not be unconnected with her educational background and parental guide characterized by her deep belief in the propagation of Islam which became attributable to her successful graduation from Qur’anic studies at a tender age. In addition, the deceased pursued formal and informal Islamic schools within the metropolis of Kano city.  She was a product of GGJSS Kazaure and GGSSS Kwa both in Jigawa and Kano states.
Maman Daddy carved her niche in Islamic activities at both Kazaure and Kwa by serving as Secretary and ultimately the School Ameera of the Muslim Students Society (MSS) at her alma-mater.
Surely, the late Hajiya Aishatu Ayagi will be remembered for her good works, accommodative posture of parents, elders guests and neighbours alike, amongst other individual virtues synonymous to the deceased.  It is our prayer to Allah (SWT) to forgive her shortcomings and multiply her good deeds while her grave be lightened up with the endless light of Jannatul Firdausi.
Oh Aisha, of all your six children left behind, Ahmad El–Rufa’i is full of life except he doesn’t know you have gone far beyond reach expecting you to ‘bring back the new baby’ as his other siblings made him to understand or belief!  Unknown to the young el–Rufa’i, his mum had been interred in Kano City at the Ado Dan Dolo Cemetery, Gwauron–Dutse after a funeral prayer led by Sheikh Musal Qasiyuni Kabara who stood for Sheikh (Dr) Qaribullahi Nasiru Kabara, leader of the Qadiriyya Movement of Nigeria.
Sulaiman Muhammad Ayagi, Northbridge Investment &Trust Ltd, NICON Plaza (5th floor),  Plot 242, Muhammadu Buhari Way, Central Business District, Abuja, [email protected]