Maikano Mahmoud Danzaki: A husband, father, friend gone forever
Maikano Mahmoud Danzaki passed on a year ago, precisely on Saturday 12th of March 2016. Born on the 1st of February 1962, his 54 years of existence on earth was eventful, remarkable and admirable. Maikano was a broadcast journalist of repute, a producer of radio and television programmes that were as entertaining as they were […]
Maikano Mahmoud Danzaki passed on a year ago, precisely on Saturday 12th of March 2016. Born on the 1st of February 1962, his 54 years of existence on earth was eventful, remarkable and admirable.
Maikano was a broadcast journalist of repute, a producer of radio and television programmes that were as entertaining as they were enlightening; he was popular with several others as an actor and a playwright. To those who related with him in his plain, everyday life, he was that genial, humble and friendly person that was ever so generous with his disarming smile, his pocket and kind words of advice to friends, relatives and strangers in distress.
As my companion for twelve years, I cannot recall any incident of his harbouring malice or sustained anger towards anybody. The very large number of people present at his funeral is a redeeming testimony that he was a man who was popular and loved. Alhamdullillah! Though we miss you very much, we yet give praise to the Almighty Allah for your life, Maikano, my beloved husband.
To those of us closest to him – his three wives and thirteen children, the cold hands of death taught us in a very painful way, the eternal fact that indeed every soul shall taste death at the appointed time. Inalillahi wa inailahi Rajiun. From Allah we all came and to Him we shall return.
Maikano left us at a time we needed him most but the painful fact of life is that no one lives forever. If it were not so, death would have spared him for my sake and for the sake of the children.
He was not just a husband, a father and the breadwinner who would go the extra mile to provide our material needs, through hard work and lawful activities; he was most importantly a teacher and counselor. He gave us lessons on how to live peacefully with people by being honest and kind in our interactions. He took the education of his children very seriously by enrolling them in good schools; taking keen interest in their home work, teaching and sparing quality time for them at home.
Those of his wives who would listen and abide by his words of advice, especially, benefitted from his love for education. I, for example, was encouraged and supported by him to go beyond the National Diploma that I had at the time of our marriage in 2005 through my Higher National Diploma Programme to my post graduate studies. Vintage Maikano Mahmoud was one that would use soothing words to propel you to accomplish what you might have considered an impossible task.
I am yet to come to terms with the reality that my teacher, my friend, my husband and father of my children is forever gone away from me. From the last moments we shared with you before that fateful Saturday, it was obvious that if you had fore knowledge and the choice, you would certainly have chosen to stay longer with us. But, who are we to question our creator who designs and ordains our fate?
Malam Maikano Mahmoud Danzaki was popular among a wide range of people of his time on account of his activities in the electronic media and in the world of entertainment. He, for example, starred in popular soap operas such as “Webs”, “Adventures of Waziri”, “Taskira” and, “Sawun Keke” among many others. He cut his teeth in electronic media at the Radio Nigeria Kaduna where he was employed at a very tender age as a Duty Continuity Announcer, but with the zest and drive for higher heights, he moved over to the Kaduna State Media Corporation, KSMC, after a few years at the Radio Nigeria Kaduna, as a producer and presenter on the television section of KSMC. As a result of his outstanding performance, he got rapid promotions that included his appointment as the General Manager of KSMC Radio Station Zaria. Under him, the management of the KSMC endorsed a suggestion that the radio station be renamed Queen FM Zaria. What an apt name for an FM station in the city of the legendry Queen Amina.
My Maikano Mahmoud Danzaki has a natural inclination to rendering help to people in need. He met his death in the course of rendering assistance to someone. According to eye witness accounts, my husband had gone out of his way to remove a cable that was in the way of a motorcycle rider within the precincts of our newly constructed house in Zaria. Lurking in that cable was death because a part of it was naked, with electricity current running through it. He didn’t know and couldn’t have known that by that act he was going in contact with an object that was to close the chapter of his stay on earth. He was electrocuted and breathed his last on the way to the hospital; Ajali or destiny, as ordained by the Creator. Allahu Akbar! Allah is great!
One year after, it still seems to me like a dream. But sadly it is real. I have missed you every day since you departed. I loved and will forever love and cherish you. I will at every point of my life remember you and be grateful to you for the unblemished love you showered on me and all your kids. You were to us a leader who brought order and direction into our lives.
I particularly thank you for teaching and preparing me to stand on my feet. It was as if you knew that you would, at an unexpected and unanticipated time in our happy life together, leave me alone to carry on with the burden of bracing up to the challenges of this world. You will forever live in our hearts. Above all, I am extremely grateful to Allah, the All knowing, the Magnificent and the merciful for giving me the rare privilege of meeting and living with you. And I am grateful to Him for your extraordinary lifestyle. I also pray to Allah SWT to provide for your hereafter, an eternal peaceful and happy living among those for whom He has provided an abode in Aijana Firdaus. Rest in peace my dearest husband; my friend, my companion, my teacher, my mentor. Once again, with a heavy heart, Adieu!
Hajiya Jamila Maidamma wrote in from Radio Nigeria, Kaduna.