Remembering Abubakar Bananko
On that fateful day, Abubakar Bananko arrived Agaie (his home town) from Minna for Eid El-Kabir (Big Sallah) that was to be observed the following day. He proceeded on arrival to Agaie central market to buy a ram in readiness for the Eid El-Kabir sacrifice. Due to cut-throat prices that usually accompany sale of rams […]
On that fateful day, Abubakar Bananko arrived Agaie (his home town) from Minna for Eid El-Kabir (Big Sallah) that was to be observed the following day. He proceeded on arrival to Agaie central market to buy a ram in readiness for the Eid El-Kabir sacrifice. Due to cut-throat prices that usually accompany sale of rams on the eve of Sallah, he could not afford the prices offered at the Agaie ram market. Given the size of the ram he wanted, there was a difference of about N3,000.00 with the money he had which compelled him as an average civil servant in Niger Sate to go to Bida, 37 kilometers west of Agaie perchance he might get the size of the ram he wanted with the amount of money with him since the Bida ram market is relatively bigger.
Some of his relations and close friends advised him against going to Bida because of the heavy traffic that was likely to be on the road that day, being the eve of Sallah. Besides, the prices are not likely to be different from what it was in Agaie. But because his time was up, Abubakar defied the counsel from his friends and started a journey that was neither to take him to Bida nor back to Agaie. Allah SWT says in the Qur’an: To every people is a time appointed: when their time is reached, not an hour can they cause delay, nor (an hour) can they advance (it in anticipation. Q 7:34.
At 4pm in Badeggi, a town before Bida, the “death-trap” road claimed Abubalkar’s life. This was when a commercial bus driver ran recklessly into the motorcycle which he was riding. Shortly after I bid Abubakar farewell when he took off for the trip, my GSM phone rang with a voice announciing to me that my intimate friend was dead. The news was incredible to me. It was barely less than two hours when Mohammed, Abubakar’s nephew, told me that Abubakar had arrived from Minna but had gone to Bida for the purchase of his Sallah ram.
Before Abubakar left Agaie for Bida, he observed the late noon (asr) prayer in congregation at the mosque in the vicinity of their family house. As a devouted young man, he was on that fateful day observing the voluntary fast recommended by the Prohet (SAW) to be observed by Muslims on Arafat day.
Late Abubakar was a man of uncommon humility, honesty and tolerance who was blessed with a heart that accommodated all irrespective of people’s natural dispositions. Very religious and God-fearing. Abubakar had passion for knowledge especially when he was confronted with strange issues about religion. Respectful and obedient, he was corrigible and had listening ears. He never allowed any worldly pursuit, work or engagement to prevent him from observing obligatory prayers in congregation. He was careful about what he ate; taking into consideration position of Islam on the permisibility or otherwise (Halal and Haram) of the food, drink or even property. Late Abubakar never compromised his simplicity with the opportunities that came his way. He was a man of moderation in thought and action. His life and his death both remain sources of guidance for his contemporaries. Allah SWT distinguished him from his colleagues with the virtues of tolerance, patience and a sense of responsibility. Abubakar’s pedigree was revealed in the number and caliber of persons who turned out from far and near to attend his funeral prayer in the early hours of Friday, October 26, 2012; Eid el-Kabir day.
Each time I remember him, feel the sad event had just occurred. Abubakar’s death would ever remain fresh in my memory and that of several others who knew him for what his personality stood for. I will continue to remember him until my destined and inevitable time to join him comes. I conclude by praying to Allah (SWT) continue to grant him eternal mercy, amin.
Suleiman Umar Ndagi, Sankuci House, Off Ahmadu Bello Way, Agaie, Niger State.