Grieving over Kannywood’s ‘Zik’

Zik died fter a protracted battle with kidney ailment at a private hospital at Rijiyar Zaki Quarters in Kano, family sources said. His ailment worsened Wednesday night and was rushed to the hospital where he died Thursday afternoon. Born in Fagge Quarters in the city of Kano, Zik attended Islamic school at Kontagora after which […]

Zik died fter a protracted battle with kidney ailment at a private hospital at Rijiyar Zaki Quarters in Kano, family sources said. His ailment worsened Wednesday night and was rushed to the hospital where he died Thursday afternoon.

Born in Fagge Quarters in the city of Kano, Zik attended Islamic school at Kontagora after which he was enrolled into primary school in Kano. He was educated to masters’ level and until his death, was a lecturer at the Federal College of Education (Technical) Bicci and an actor, producer and director with the Hausa film industry, Kannywood.

His mother, Baba Hansatu said, “He was such an obedient and cheerful boy, he was a son any mother would wish to have. I am really touched by his death but my belief is that Allah loves him more and therefore, I wish him a peaceful rest in his grave.”

Even his stepmother, Hajiya Yawo, had nothing but praise for him saying he was very charming as a child and exhibited a high level of intelligence uncommon among his peers.

“He grew up to be very intelligent and assumed responsibilities without being told. He was very peaceful and ensured that we all lived peacefully all the time.  I can still remember that each time we had any problem or grudge in the family; he handles the situation as if he were the eldest. His death was really a shocker to us because even though we knew of his ailment, we never thought death was coming to take him away so soon. I pray that his gentle soul rest in perfect peace and may Allah, in his infinite mercy, reward him for his good deeds and forgive his shortcomings. I and the entire family will forever dearly miss him,” she said tearfully.

For others, despite his extended illness, his death came as a shock to some family members. One of them is Hajiya Talatu, his elder sister. “He recovered from the illness and we were all very happy that he was back on his feet after two successful operations, then suddenly I heard that the sickness worsened and he gave up,” she said. “It was one of the most distressing moments I ever experienced in my life.”

The two wives he left behind are still in total shock. When our reporter visited, they were still distressed and could not utter a single word. It was a very touching scene.

Remembering ‘Zik’

– such as in Laifi tudu ne, Suma yaya ne, Aish and, Makabuli.

Kannywood star, Ali Nuhu said he was traumatized by Zik’s death. “Zik was such a cool headed and easy going person; he had a cordial relationship with us in the industry. His death is really another great loss to the film industry because he is one of the few filmmakers that cherished meaningful cinema,” he said.

Among Kannywood practitioners, there seems to be a consensus on the positive way in which Zilkifilu tried to make his films

“Part of the legacy he left behind is his emphasis on meaningful films that portrays the real culture of the Hausa society,” Saima Mohammed, a hausa movie star summarised.

His fans attest to his exemplary roles in the industry. He seemed to have cut himself out as respectable figure, the sort fans admire. One of them, Aisha Umar, said, “Honestly, this is another great loss to the industry and he will forever be remembered for the unique and spectacular roles he played in Hausa films. He was such a talented actor who appeared in not too many films but acted excellently in the few ones he appeared in. His memories will surely linger in the minds of fans for a very long time. May his soul rest in peace and may Allah give his family, filmmakers and we fans to the fortitude to bear the great loss.”

Zilkifilu, who died in his forties, was survived by his mother, two wives, three children and many relatives.