Family, friends reflects on Barau Dikko’s pioneer matron

Family and friends of the pioneer matron of the Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital, Kaduna, Theresa Ibrahim, have recounted her life and times. She died last Tuesday at the age of 71 after battling with cancer for over three years. While receiving condolences from sympathizers, Bashiru, her only son, said his mother was a rare gem, […]

Family and friends of the pioneer matron of the Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital, Kaduna, Theresa Ibrahim, have recounted her life and times. She died last Tuesday at the age of 71 after battling with cancer for over three years.

While receiving condolences from sympathizers, Bashiru, her only son, said his mother was a rare gem, adding, “She battled with a terminal illness but she refused to even let us, her children, know how bad she had gotten, just because she did not want us to worry. That’s the kind of person she was, always putting others first.

“Unfortunately, in the last two weeks, her health deteriorated, such that she could no longer use her limbs. She was in much pain. I pray Allah admits her into Jannatul Firdausi. She accepted Islam 10 years ago and practised the religion in her own little way, even though she did not really tell anyone, apart from her close family.’’

Also speaking about the late matron, a former director of pharmaceutical service in Barau Dikko Hospital, Marusia Idakwo said, “I have known Resy, as we fondly called her, since 1980.

“The first time I was posted to Nasarawa State General Hospital she was already there as a matron and I was posted as a pharmacist. We had one encounter or another in the civil service because I spent 35 years before I retired. She was older in age and service.

“She was moved to open a new general hospital in 1991, and after a year I was also moved to the same hospital; so most of the time we worked together and became very close friends.

“She was such a kind human being, full of humility and compassion for people. She was always there for others, so one way or another; she made her presence felt in our lives. We are going to miss her greatly.”

She noted that during her time as matron, things worked very well and the hospital was always in place because she was putting in personal efforts. She called on the government to honour her by naming either a ward or unit in the hospital after her so that she would be remembered for her service.

Also, the proprietress of Zamani College, Josephine Muhammad, who had known Theresa for 35 years, described her as a wonderful person.

According to her, “She was always very positive and ready to help people. For many years, she was matron at Barau Dikko Hospital before retiring from government service. She was always very efficient and well organised. She had concern for people who were sich and tried to give them the best medical treatment and experience available, whether it was in Barau Dikko, Multi Clinics or Garkuwa.”

She said the late matron would be missed for her very positive attitude and willingness to help, adding, “If anyone had a medical problem, one would just contact Resy and she would make arrangements and give as much support as there was physically possible for her.”

“For the past two and a half years, Resy had suffered from a very major illness, which had, in the past few months, incapacitated and left her in a lot of pain. I think most of her friends are now relived that she is at peace. She fought to the end, and I know that because of the way she lived her life, she will be rewarded.

“I think she would be remembered most for her readiness to help others. She was always helpful and supportive. She was excellent at her job and a good friend.”

Noma Jibril also said, “I have known Resy since I came into this country 43 years ago. We had such lovely times. We have been working on charitable organisations together. She was always there for everybody. She was a lovely human being. We feel her loss terribly. We worked together on the Lionesses Club and Nigerwives Club, an association of foreign women married to Nigerians.”

Theresa was a German nurse who married a Nigerian. She had lived in Nigeria since 1970, after she married Alhaji Sani Ibrahim at the age of 22.

She also worked as a nurse and matron in various health institutions in Kaduna, including the Nursing Home and General Hospital.

She has since been buried according to Islamic rites at the Isa Kaita road Muslim cemetery.

She is survived by her husband, Alhaji Sani Ibrahim, her sisters, two children, Bashiru Sani and Zainab Kana, as well as eight grandchildren.