Remebering when dad told me to anticipate his death

Born on 24th June 1966, late Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha hailed from Biu local government, Borno State. My father was not from a wealthy background, and he went through both the secondary and tertiary parts of his education through his hard work and dedication. Blessed with three kids and supported by the love of a […]

Born on 24th June 1966, late Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha hailed from Biu local government, Borno State. My father was not from a wealthy background, and he went through both the secondary and tertiary parts of his education through his hard work and dedication. Blessed with three kids and supported by the love of a caring wife, he was also called ‘Mazan Fama’ by friends and supporters, which roughly means in Hausa ‘strong man’, a nickname even his boss calls him. He was a well-respected politician both on state and national levels, as well as a fearless leader who believes in helping people no matter what it takes. He was also legendary for his loyalty and would never falter away from a superior. Interestingly, while he would be fiercely passionate about his causes, he was at the same time a charming man.
My father was such an interesting individual and while he has an impeccable sense of humour, he would easily lose his cool if someone carries out a task without much quality to the finished work. I’m not saying he is perfect, as only the Almighty is perfect, but he was always 100% behind his people, no matter the region they come from or the party they support. He always offers a helping hand to people in whatever way he could. That’s why the title ‘Sarkin Aiki’ was bestowed upon him by the people.
Yes, my dad was a conscientious, hard-working and honest politician. But in addition, he was an amazing father, remaining fully hands-on and involved in raising us. It was always a delight to see how hard he worked to balance work and family, and somehow still managed to give us, his kids, the best of his time all the while doing justice to his job. He made sure we knew the importance of humility, honesty, hard work and respect for others no matter what.
A few weeks after the 2011 gubernatorial election, he imparted on me a lesson that is perhaps the most indelible and inherent. He pulled me into a room and told me: “All this you see today, the sirens, the big houses and the luxurious life and also my title would all go one day. After my tenure, you wouldn’t have access to all this again, so never let it get to your head. I will die one day, and people will refer to me as ‘Late Deputy Governor’ or my tenure will inevitably run out and I will become ‘ex deputy governor’. People will even forget about me. But above all that, you should always remember the background from which you come.” Today, he is really gone and is being referred to as ‘Late Deputy Governor’.
My Father always taught me never to give up. Four days before his death, he told me over the phone that as long as there’s life, there’s hope. He wanted me not to worry about anything and to take anything as the will of God. And he is gone today, but there is still hope for me and my family and our hearts are particularly full of gladness knowing how respected he was in his life, with countless tributes pouring in testament to his qualities.
While my father set a standard that is very high, I will do all I can as his first son to meet up and protect his reputation and perhaps, God willing, become an even better man. I will make sure the family name only invokes positivity anytime it is mentioned.
No amount of words or tears can ever bring you back, father and I know everything happens for a reason. God knows why you had to leave right now, and we can only pray for you and I can only hope things get better and a masterplan from Allah would be revealed. I can only pray God forgives your sins and grant you a place in Aljannah. By His grace, you’re in a better place. Oh, Mazan Fama na Gwamna, you might be gone but you will never be forgotten as your legacies will always remembered. We love you, dad.
Zannah wrote in from Maiduguri.