Sen. Wakili: Between eulogy and appreciation
The sudden death of Ali Wakili, a senator representing Bauchi South senatorial destrict at the National Assembly last week no doubt came to us with great shock given its spontaneity without any premonition. This perhaps is the more reason why sympathizers and mourners from all walks of life continue to commiserate with the good people […]
The sudden death of Ali Wakili, a senator representing Bauchi South senatorial destrict at the National Assembly last week no doubt came to us with great shock given its spontaneity without any premonition. This perhaps is the more reason why sympathizers and mourners from all walks of life continue to commiserate with the good people of Bauchi State days after his death. And in line with our African and religious tradition, eulogies and epitaphs extolling the virtues of the late Senator are all you hear coming from the lips of sympathizers as they convey their condolence messages to the family and relatives of the deceased.
As we mourn the loss of this vibrant Senator, I couldn’t help but notice the torrents of eulogies and praises to this distinguished personality something I consider quite unusual. Yes, quite unusual because the good virtues and excellent qualities of this man being said now were never heard of, at least in the public domain. On the contrary, his political opponents had always tried to force down our throats to believe that Ali Wakili has bad political credentials. They have even given him the sobriquet ‘one term’ Senator accusing him of misrepresenting his constituency and failing in his task of providing basic amenities to his constituents and other pecuniary benefits.
I wonder the sudden turn of events now. As sudden as his dead was so sudden were the eulogies that followed. It’s after the death of Fagacin Bauchi that I got to know about some of his laudable projects for the betterment of his constituency. How could I have known that late Senator Ali Wakili, aside his obvious visibility and numerous contributions in the Senate, has many projects to his credit? I heard he has built two Primary Healthcare Centres in each of the seven local government areas that made up his senatorial district, built tsangaya schools, constructed motorized boreholes and empowered youths with vocational skills.
If truly the late Senator had done all these during his lifetime for the people of his constituency why amplifying and acknowledging it now when he is no more? Wouldn’t it have been better to shower the encomiums and accolades before now? Such praises perhaps might have gingered him to do more people oriented programmes that will affect positively, the lives of his constituents. I think it is time we change this awkward way of taking medicine after death. Instead of eulogizing our loved ones after they are gone, we should learn to appreciate their good gestures while alive.
On the whole, like someone puts it, the better way to immortalize Senator Ali Wakili is to ensure the passage of the Bill he presented before the Senate few days to his sudden death seeking for the establishment of Federal College of Education in Dass, Bauchi State to cater for the educational needs of the people of his constituency. If passed, it will serve as a soothing balm for the loss of this great man. Allah ya jikansa da Rahma.
Abubakar Algwallary, [email protected]