It is incredible how time flies. It is as if it were yesterday when the news of my brother’s death came to me. Today marks his 40th day remembrance, since that fateful day, the 19th of September, 2021, when my lovely brother, Mallam Saidu Umar, a man like no other passed away. I felt a pain, the kind I have never felt before, a tidal wave of emotion hit on me, everything was happening so fast.
It was just too much to bear and absorb at the same time, but surprisingly, I found myself talking, saying; “inna lillahi waina ilaihi rajiun.” His death no doubt, came to me as a rude chock, a man who I respected, admired and appreciated so much for his forthrightness and above all, his personal ideology. I was always made to understand that time heal all wounds, that all grief become history but to us each passing day, these past 40 days, come with pain, of waking up, knowing vividly that I will never see my blossom childhood brother, any more.
The vacuum created in my mind and life by his departure remains. According to Late Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe, of Bless Memory, (My Odyssey), he wrote, and I quote, that; “Man comes into the World, and while he lives, he embarks upon a series of activities, absorbing experience, which enables him formulate a philosophy of life and to chart his courses of action; but then he is a mortal.
Nevertheless, his biography remains a guide to those of the living who may need guidance either as a warning on the vanity of human wishes, or an encouragement or both”.The above quotation implies to the impeccable and exemplary leadership that Saidu possessed during his life time, in which others should emulate. Malam Saidu Umar, was a man with barometer for gauging the mood of his people; he is poised to always make difference wherever he finds himself.
His life in and out of the public glare is a source of inspiration to many, particularly those that had course to associate with him. One leadership quality that endears him to many people is his great ability to live at peace with all men, even his detractors. He is one man with a proven track record of transparent leadership who had been able to show all and sundry that integrity is one virtue that should not be compromised in public service any day.
It is obvious that he learnt the values of leadership by example from his Late father, Adayi Umoru Abarigi, of Bless Memory, a famous community leader in Ebiya district of Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi State. Malam Saidu’s faith in God has been the fortifying force that made it easy for him to forgive people that wronged him.
There has been no evidence to suggest that he harbours animosity against his critics as he takes life so easy during his life time. He has always been conscious of the wonderful hands of Almighty Allah in his life as well as his shortcomings as a human-being and this has accounted for the manner he easily forgives and forgets any wrong done to him.
His believes and commitment to Almighty Allah is legendary and his faith in Allah’s Providence. He believes in the Quran’s injunction which stipulates that “Nothing is given unto man except he receives it from heaven”. The concept has conditioned his attitudes to people in particular and life in general.
Saidu is loved by his people because of his philanthropic gestures to the needy. When Late Saidu Umar was serving with Hotel industry, Arewa Hotels, precisely, he travelled wide and served almost all the branches of Arewa Hotels in the Northern states of Nigeria; which include; Hamdalla Hotel in Kaduna; Bagauda Hotel in Kano state; Zaranda Hotel in Bauchi state; Gusau Hotel in the present Zamfara State, finally end up at NTI Conference Centre (Hotel) in Kaduna State, where he meritoriously served and retired without blemished, as General Manager, (GM). His tenure in the Hotel industry was characterized by unparalleled, patriotism, zeal, hard work and a demonstration of uncommon leadership propelled by the fear of Almighty Allah. In his capacity as a General Manager (GM) in the NTI Conference Centre (Hotel) Kaduna, he was able to redefined and re-direct the work ethics of the Hotel operations with an eye on the yearnings and aspirations of the workforce. Obviously, it takes doggedness, sincerity of purpose and accountability to succeed as Head in any field of human endeavours.
For a leader who can marry these qualities, success is usually the finished product. These attributes are what make Late Saidu Umar, the toast of his contemporaries and the junior ones during his working life time. While this piece of Special Tribute on him may not be able to capture all the leadership qualities and his lifestyle, it is a bold attempt made only to encapsulate some of those vital qualities that endeared him to many, as a man of peace, even by his physical mien and his pleasant mannerisms. Late Saidu Umar, was my childhood cousin brother.
We grew up and trained in the same roof under the care of his Late mother, Inya Hauwawu Umoru, popular called and known as Inya-Anadogo, of Blessed Memory, who happened to be a first cousin sister to my biological mother, also of Blessed Memory. May their gentle souls rest in perfect peace, Ameen. Inya-Anadogo was a disciplinarian, mother of all and a philanthropist of note.
I and Saidu was registered into primary one at LGEA Primary School Ebiya in the now Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi State. During his school days, he was academically brilliant; culturally creative and above all, very friendly to all in the school.
He was loved and cherished by both pupils and teachers alike. There is this saying that; “Behind every successful man, there is a woman of substance of impeccable character; a woman of dignified poise; a concern and caring woman; who kindles the love and understanding needed by the husband to get result-oriented accomplishment. Late Saidu Umar who also realized all these outstanding qualities in his wife, Malama Amina Saidu; always describe his lovely wife as; “an Epitome of Womanhood Par Excellence”, because of the above rare qualities discovered from the wife. Evidently, since my personal and intimate relationship with the family, I found them to be an exceptional couple with exemplary dispositions that others ought to emulate.
Meanwhile, while reacting to the shocking death of her beloved husband, Mrs Amina Saidu was also extolling the virtues of her husband, said; “that she found in Late Saidu Umar what a complete husband should be in terms of honesty, caring, perseverance and lots more that makes complete husband”. She further recalled her model relationship as husband and wife during his life time, described him as “a man in a class of his own.
He was a non-conformist and that was clear from the very first day they met”. “She described their marital life as a total life experience as one filled with unique adventures that invariably led to somber and happy moments. That, by the Grace of God, in His mercy, the happy moments far out-weighted the somber ones. He wasn’t the run-of-the-mile husband; he would take me out on dates to dinners, socials and at every opportunity, he would introduce me to new friends and family members. Even then, it was clear that he was very proud of me.
I could talk to him about virtually anything. To me, he was a giant who enabled me to see further by allowing me to stand on his shoulders of wisdom. It is almost impossible to express the extent and benefit of his love and guidance, and the positive influence he has had on my life”. “Saidu was a quieter and always accept responsibility to a fault. Whenever we argued, I tended to speak my mind and he tended to just listen. Whenever he felt I was at fault, he would simply ask, after ‘rambling’, if I was done and with that I knew he meant that I needed to re-evaluate the circumstances and we would talk later. Other time, when he agreed he was at fault, he apologized with a simple “I am sorry” and gives me time to calm down before approaching me for a proper apology. He was very jovial! He could crack jokes about almost everything, even the most serious issues.
His high-heartedness and simplicity in our home and life, is legendary. He was kind hearted caring, liberal and very accommodating, a disciplinarian which he virtually inculcated in the children. The family will no doubt, miss his presence, especially his unique laughter with humility. Infact, I could not have asked for a better father to my children, a better friend or confidant like ‘SAIDU’. All my efforts to revive his ailing health challenges, was just a token of pay-back to his wonderful touch into my life.
In every difficult situations, Saidu was my confidant, a brother, a counselor, and a friend. He illuminated my life with the bright light of his knowledge, his vision, and his love. “Saidu…..you are a voice of kindness that greatly passed through to make search for a purpose in the many things we do. Our life with you was something extra-ordinary that we shall hold dearly. And someday, we shall recount what a great man, in Saidu, a husband, a father and grandfather, we have lost”. May Allah, in His infinite Mercy grant you eternal rest…..Ameen. (Mrs. Amina Saidu Umar). 40th day Remembrance message from the Senior Daughter, Bilkisu Saidu.“My Father and I had a very special relationship. Without saying very much, I almost and always knew his thinking and mood. I believe I was an immense part of him.
He wasn’t all talkative, but quiet. I knew he clearly loved me from his action. I remember his love through his actions, the tone of his voice, his happiness when I was happy, and the hugs. As a child, I look at my dad in total awe. He is still he most charismatic person I know.
His love is tremendous and immeasurable. He shielded us from harm and worked very hard for us to maintain our privacy, an almost impossible for some. It is very difficult to describe my relationship with my dad in words. I know, A GREAT PART OF ME IS GONE! I do not feel complete without him. May his gentle soul continue to rest in perfect peace, Ameen,40th day Remembrance message from the Senior Son, Mohammed Saidu“As long as I live, my dad’s memory, especially his good spirit will forever be part of me and my siblings. His hard work, his great yet noble and modest aspirations, his family commitment, his “Love” for us, the children, and most especially his compassionate zeal for his children education, will remain indelible in our life. I really miss you dad, and I promised to keep up your Good Name, Insha Allah. With Eternal Love, Dad! Mallam Saidu Umar, lived a fulfilled life; married to his lovely and dependable wife, Mrs. Amina Saidu Umar with blessed and awesome children. May Allah continue to grant him eternal rest. Amen.
Special. Tribute written by:Mallam Idris Isah ItopaArewa Trust Newspaper, Abuja. 08140153324