Epitome of excellence: A tribute to Late Alhaji Junaidu Mamuda
Alhaji Junaidu Mamuda, until his death, was the Chairman of the Association of retired water board staff which has Governor Aminu Bello Masari as member. In the course of his selfless services to humanity especially in the area of the provision of potable water, I was privileged to work closely with him. For instance, […]
Alhaji Junaidu Mamuda, until his death, was the Chairman of the Association of retired water board staff which has Governor Aminu Bello Masari as member. In the course of his selfless services to humanity especially in the area of the provision of potable water, I was privileged to work closely with him.
For instance, I worked closely for almost six months with the committee that conducted the baseline survey of Katsina State water board facilities. In the course of preparing the 500-page report (Governor Masari’s Water Sector Blueprint) which became a Policy Document of the administration that was submitted to government, the name of Alhaji Junaidu Mamuda continuously came up. Reference was constantly made to how the water board functioned seamlessly when he held sway as the General Manager.
Of all the seven urban waterworks and 42 semi Urban water supply schemes in Katsina State, the former General Manager of Kaduna State Water Board played a vital role in making these infrastructure serve the good people of the state maximally.
All members of the baseline survey committee had one or more things to say on how the water board operated in line with international best practices under the visionary and selfless Junaidu Mamuda. It is gratifying that several years later, reference is being made to how he brought his wealth of experience to bear on main water transmission down to household connections.
Unarguably, almost every home in both Kaduna and Katsina states is benefiting from potable water borne out of this clear vision and dedication to duty. Without doubt, his legacies await generations yet to be born.
When Junaidu Mamuda decided to venture into politics by contesting for the exalted seat of the Governor of Katsina State in 1999 on the platform of the All Peoples Party (APP), he campaigned from Dankama to Damari seeking for Katsinawa and Daurawa to support his candidacy. Only Allah knows why He made Late Umaru Musa Yar’adua the Executive Governor of Katsina State in 1999.
I was young then, but I still remember one of his gubernatorial campaign songs, “Mun fito da Shirin bana Gwamna Junaidu zamu rufa wa baya…” Many believed that Alhaji Junaidu Mamuda Yantumaki was one of the best governors Katsina State would ever have.
The last time Umar, Mama and I visited him in Abuja on a Friday, he was watching the arrival of the first Qatar Airways flight from Kabul-Afghanistan to arrive at Doha, the capital of Qatar on Aljazeera news. We all greeted him and wished him well and a quick recovery. He answered with a resounding AMIN. It was the last time I saw him before the cold hands of death took him on a Monday morning.
May Allah forgive Baba Junaidu Mamuda his sins and overlook his shortcomings. Ya Allah grant Baba Junaidu Mamuda Aljannatul Firdausi.
To Dr Aminu Junaidu and Polo-loving Mustapha Junaidu, Aisha Junaidu, Zainab Junaidu Sambo, Bilkisu Junaidu, Umar Faruk Junaidu, Imran Junaidu, Ahmed Junaidu , I empathise with you and say I am bereft of words to describe how much of a pillar you all have missed. As for our mothers, May Allah give you all the strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
Mallam Sadiq Ibrahim Safana wrote from Katsina