Late Muhammadu Bature: Tribute to an embodiment of peace and unity

The death of Alhaji Muhammadu Bello Bature, known as Garkuwan Wazirin Sokoto, is a great loss and tragedy on the historical antecedents of the state. He was an embodiment of honesty, simplicity and peace, who brought pride to our dear state since its creation thirty five years ago. Late Mamman Bature as he was fondly […]

The death of Alhaji Muhammadu Bello Bature, known as Garkuwan Wazirin Sokoto, is a great loss and tragedy on the historical antecedents of the state. He was an embodiment of honesty, simplicity and peace, who brought pride to our dear state since its creation thirty five years ago.

Late Mamman Bature as he was fondly called by his friends and classmates, including late Sultan Muhammadu Maccido (May his soul rest in peace) lived an ascetic life and strived hard building bridges of peace, unity and progress among the people of Sokoto state.

My first encounter with him was around 1995 through late Alhaji Abubakar Tsoho Mafara (Durbin Sokoto) who jokingly introduced me to him as his adopted son from Dingyadi. From then on, we were constantly in touch. Alhaji Muhammadu Bature was  a man of integrity and vision who contributed immensely to the transformation of the country, Sokoto state and indeed the Caliphate.

He was a person who always stood for truth, justice and fairness in all affairs. He challenged the highest authorities in the emancipation of the masses and the downtrodden and all without any difficulty.

He was a very accessible person. Late Bature contributed greatly to the general administration from the Native Authority system to the present day type of governance from which we have a lot to learn for our nation to move forward.

During his life time, he was in the fore front of the defense of the revered Caliphate and legacies of Islamic  religion and learning in Sokoto state, not minding whose ox was gored.

Late Muhammadu Bature gained rapid ascendancy to respectable heights in the hearts of many people of Sokoto partly due to his positive inclination to a disciplined and studious life. He was committed to any responsibility assigned him during his hey days.

During his life time, he exhibited a very qualitative life and stood on his principles in whichever side of the divide he found himself. He openly disassociated himself from failure, especially bad governance and immorality among leaders.

His words were weighty and laden with profound wisdom and honesty to the extent that you could not ignore his advice on the way forward to move the nation to the next level.

Late Bature’s encyclopedic memories of the caliphate’s history are greatly missed by the upcoming generation, especially on issues that affect Sokoto state’s historical background.

He pioneered the establishment of various organizations in old Sokoto state to enhance the living standards of our people and create awareness among the people on girl-child education and skills acquisition programmes which he did with personalities like the late Marafan Sokoto, Alhaji Amadu Danbaba.

There is no doubt that many people, especially the downtrodden, benefitted immensely from his wealth of experience and magnanimity. He assisted with his time and resources in no small measures to educate, enlighten and encourage many of our teeming youths who are now qualified in different fields of life, including engineering, medicine, administration  and education.

Born in 1927, late Muhammadu Bature attended the famous Nagarta College, Sokoto and Institute of Administration, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He served with the Native Authority (NA) under Marafan Sokoto, late Ahmadu Danbaba.  He was also called upon to serve the nation under Yakubu Gowon’s administration in the North Central, especially in Plateau state.

He was the  first Commissioner of Revenue in the defunct North Western State, now Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara and Niger States . He served in the same capacity under late Commissioner of Police, Audu Bako’s administration in Kano State.

He was pioneer Director of Allied Bank of Nigeria and jointly with late Sidi Mamman Assarakawa, they formed Inco Beverages Nigeria Limited, makers of King Cola and Pepsi products, in which he served as director.

Late Muhammadu Bature initiated and executed a historical memo during late Sultan Abubakar III for the re-organization of the structures of Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI) into a full organization for the mobilization, development of Islam and propagation of moral discipline among Muslims. Thus as a result of these efforts, he became fully involved in all Islamic activities across the sub-saharan states.

He also initiated the implementation of building structures of learning and prayers such as Islamiyya model schools, mosques and Almajirai  Tsangaya Schools of learning in the caliphate.

For the importance of education and learning, Garkuwan Waziri made it a commitment during his life time to ensure that nobody was left behind to acquire  education, no matter what his difficulties were. Such are the testimonies by the many sympathizers who benefited from his generosity.

One of the things attributed to the deceased was his concern and attention to problems that affected people. Many times while I was reporting for BBC Hausa service in the 90’s,  he counseled me about the need for me to work hard.

The honest and committed life he lived during his lifetime will surely be his reward in the Hereafter. Almighty Allah (SWT) says, “But surely, the reward of the Hereafter is better for those who believe and are constant in righteousness.” (Q12:57)

He was turbaned as the first Garkuwan Waziri of Sokoto by the late Waziri of Sokoto, Dr Junaid in 1995. He was a classmate and close friend to the late Sultan Muhammadu Maccido.

Some of the prominent people who attended his funeral and offered condolences described his death as a great loss to  the entire nation and not only to  Sokoto state.

In his message of condolence, former Governor Attahiru Bafarawa said, “late Muhammadu Bature bequeathed a great legacy of peace and unity among his contemporaries. His loss is not only to the family but the entire people of this country, because he was committed to the unity and survival of our Caliphate in particular and the nation in general.”

In his condolence to the family, former Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Mustafa Haruna Jokolo, called on leaders to emulate his good works as he described him as honest and committed to the propagation of Islam.

Both former National Security Adviser, Gen. Aliyu Gusau (rtd) and Speaker, Dimeji Bankole, extolled his virtues of integrity and exemplary life. They all affirmed that he was one of the few Nigerians who worked assiduously to ensure unity and cohesion among Nigerians.

Many people from all walks of life attended the three day Fiddau prayers at his residence along Tafawa Balewa road, Sokoto. Prominent among them were Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji (Sardaunan Sokoto), Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Muhammadu Dikko Umar (who is married to one of his daughters) and Alhaji Hakeem Baba Ahmed. Others were politicians, his associates, traditional rulers and title holders, civil servants, some serving and retired military and police officers among others.

Late Muhammadu Bature’s hobby in life was only one, “reading the Holy Qur’an”. He was survived by 15 children and 70 grand children. Among his children are: Alhaji Abubakar Bature, Alhaji Buhari Bature (Permanent Secretary in the Sokoto State civil service) Others are Hajiya Uwani Muhammad, wife of the Chief of Air Staff and Honorable Umar Muhammad Bature, Chairman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.

Many of the sympathisers testified to his kindness and assist in secrecy. This has justified the saying of the Almighty Allah (SWT) “Whoever does right male or female and is a believer, we will make him live a good life and We will award them their reward for the best of what they used to do.” (Q16:97)

Allah knows best. He does the best, He gives the best, He is the best, May He make his departure the best by granting him a permanent place inside Aljannah Firdaus. Rest in peace, our dear Garkuwan Talakawa!

Yusuf Dingyadi, No 88 Emir Yahaya Road, Sokoto