If you’re sick, dad calls every hour until you get well – Rahima Jibril Aminu

 Rahima Aminu is the daughter of elder statesman Ambassador Jibril Aminu. The Development Professional speaks about her dad’s love for family, what it was like growing up as his daughter, and much more. Excerpts: Daily Trust: How would you describe your dad? Rahima Aminu: My dad is many things. He is difficult to describe. He […]

 Rahima Aminu is the daughter of elder statesman Ambassador Jibril Aminu. The Development Professional speaks about her dad’s love for family, what it was like growing up as his daughter, and much more. Excerpts:

Daily Trust: How would you describe your dad?

Rahima Aminu: My dad is many things. He is difficult to describe. He is not like many of the archetypal fathers we have in our conservative culture; he is very affectionate and open with his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Although he is incredibly brilliant and knowledgeable, he listens intently to what you have to say and learns from you; he doesn’t look down on any piece of knowledge no matter where it comes from. He talks with us, eats from the same plate with us, jokes with us. He occasionally breaks into a song – there is never a dull moment around him. Although he gets tough sometimes, he is exceedingly caring. Once he finds out you are ill, he will call you every hour from 6am till late at night until you are better, wherever you are. 

DT: What was growing up like with him?

Rahima: It was exciting. He is a magnet for the entire extended family, so whenever he was around, it felt like the entire village was in the house, especially during Eid. Travelling with him for events also opened our eyes to the importance of excelling wherever you find yourself in life.

DT: What fun memories do you have about him?

Rahima: I vividly recall barging into his room when I was four or five years old and saying. “I want biscuit”. I remember this little fridge in his room that had fruits and snacks. There was an orange fruit – persimmon, which he used to give me to eat. Whenever I see it, even today, I think of him. He still fondly reminds me of my ‘mi yidi biscuit’ moments. 

DT: When did it dawn on you that your dad is a prominent Nigerian?

Rahima: When I was about 7 years old in school in Yola, we were made to practice speeches, how to march and sing in preparation for a big event – perhaps it was an Independence Day celebration. When we got to Ribadu Square for the event, and he was sitting in the most prominent position, that was when I realised it I think. 

DT: What career do you think he would have excelled at aside politics?

Rahima: Medicine. Of course he trained as a doctor, but his career with government and later on politics did not allow him as much time in the hospital. But when we hear stories of when he practiced, they were quite incredible. 

DT: How much influence did he have on your career choice?

Rahima: My first degree is in International Relations. Whenever someone asked and I said so, they would reply, “you want to be a diplomat like daddy”. Actually, I chose that degree because I wanted to go into development work, to serve humanity. He chose medicine, then worked in government, and was appointed as ambassador later on during his career. The common factor in both our choices is service. He set out to serve humanity and so did I. So in that sense, his influence was immense. 

DT: What do you miss doing together with him?

Rahima: Travelling by road. A few times we had to travel by road from Yola or Maiduguri to Abuja and he would tell me the names of plants, stories about villages, and so on. The stories would link up with his own journey at different stages of his life and are always fascinating to listen to.

DT: What easily upsets him and when have you seen him the most upset?

Rahima: I asked him that question: “Everything”, he joked. He has a bunch of ‘Aminu Rules’, one of which states ‘force the bag not the zip’. If when helping him pack a bag, you contravene this rule several times, you might get a knock on the head.

The most I’ve seen him upset was when he lost his sister last year. She was closest to him in age and was his playmate growing up. While she was visiting her doctors in Abuja, she came to the house often and by Allah’s Rahma she and my dad got to renew their bond once again. As soon as she arrived, one of us would bring her a chair and set it next to his in his room and they would sit and talk for hours. When she passed away, he was heartbroken. 

DT: What’s his favourite food?

Rahima: He likes Haako Bokko (Miyan Kuka) and Lauto (spinach soup with a kind of peanut butter) cooked in a rustic fashion just like it was done when he was growing up. 

DT: How does he relax?

Rahima: He reads and watches Islam Channel.