KAKA SHEHU LAWAN: The Kid Silk On The Marble

By: Inuwa Bwala

His mesmeric rise to stardom has not only been fast, but it has also been historic and record-breaking.
Except for those who have been conversant with his brilliance since his school days, many people thought it was too fast in coming: talking about Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, SAN: one of Nigerias newest silk.

As for me and for those who have keenly followed through his school days, his professional calling, and his political manouvres, Kaka Shehu Lawan’s conferment as a Senior Advicate of Nigeria, was the fulfillment of a long awaited and well-deserved recognition.
I recall, that, with a near prophetic precise, way back in 2011: when I took particular notice of him amongst the team of lawyers, working to aquit the then Governor elect in Borno state: now the Vice President, Kashim Shettima of wrong doing, in a post election litigation, I have always called him a SAN.
And having worked with him as members of the Borno State Executive Council, I always referred to him as the doyen of cabinet.

His exceptional dedication, unwavering passion, and unrelenting pursuit of academic excellence, work, and justice may have earned him this outstanding elevation into the elite class of the bar.

Reading through his rather intimidating CV, from my corner of the hall, where a civic reception was held for him, I have come to additionally know, that, his remarkable journey started since his school days, when he displayed brillance and candour amongst his peers.
At the civic reception organized in his honor, anyone previledged to attend could attest to the young Silk’s acceptance and connections.

I could not hide my feelings and passed yet another message to him at the occasion, but that is a topic for another day.
But, that the Chief Judge of Borno State, Justice Kashim Zanna, who rarely play such roles accepted to be the chairman of the occasion, and for Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, to abandon state functions, just to be there, speak volumes about the personality and relevance of Kaka Shehu Lawan.

And counting from my corner, I could see that it was a roll call of who is who in the political arena in Borno. It was also a galaxy of the high echelon of the legal profession, led by no other than the Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
It was a parade of distinguished senators of the Federal Republic, a line up of members of the House of Representatives and Houses of Assembly and indeed the business community.

Those who spoke on the occasion attested to the fact that Kaka Shehu, even as a young lawyer, is an inspiration to many older ones, including members of the bench.
Of course, his commitment to upholding the law, advocating for justice, and serving his state and Nigeria truly remain a watershed in the anals of history.

I admire his courage, even at the point when we had disagreements with the state, and he was about to send me to jail for no fault of his. Given his unwavering integrity, exceptional advocacy skills,
compassionate approach to legal and political matters, his innovative approach to legal solutions, and, of course, his leadership and mentorship qualities, no man could help but admire him.

The many tasks he has been entrusted to handle, further make his qualities inconcealable, and certainly, this recognition serves as a testament to the positive impact he has made in the lives of people, his colleagues, and the legal community.
I join a million others in celebrating his accomplishments even as I look forward to his continued success.
Kaka Shehu Lawan is indeed an inspiration to aspiring lawyers and a shining example of excellence in the legal profession.
Congratulations to him and the people of Borno state.

KAKA SHEHU LAWAN: The Kid Silk On The Marble

Hajiya Ya’ana Gambo Mustapha Umar El-kanemi was laid to rest in Maiduguri

By: Our Reporter

The Acting Governor of Borno State,H.E Hon Umar Usman Kadafur led the entire Borno State Cabinet members to the funeral prayers of wife to late Shehu of Borno H.R.H Mustapha Umar El-kanemi who died yesterday after a protracted illness.

The funeral prayers took place at Mairari Shehu’s palace,Maiduguri.

The funeral was performed by the Imam Idaini of Borno Imam Shettima Mamman Shettima Sale.

The acting Governor was accompanied by the APC State Chairman Hon.Bello Ayuba,Secretary to state government Hon.Bukar Tijjani,Acting Head of Service,Hon.Commissioners,deputy chief of staff,Special Advisers,Senior Special Assistant,Special Assistants,permanent secretaries.

Others are Senator Bakaka Bashir Garbai,Alhaji Abubakar Umara Zulum,District heads,traditional title holders,Politicians among Others.

The acting Governor and his entourage prayed for the reposed soul of the deceased for almighty Allah to grant her jannah,amin.

Hajiya Ya’ana Gambo Mustapha Umar El-kanemi was laid to rest in Maiduguri

Mala Kachallah: 17 years ago And Fresh On My Mind

By: Inuwa Bwala

Having worked very closely with other bosses besides Mala Kachallah, people often wonder and ask me about what makes Mala Kachallah so unique that I find it difficult to forget him for close to two decades.
I often find it difficult to explain, but I know that there exists an unbroken cord, which not even death could break.
And as the date marking the seventeenth anniversary of his death approached, I knew duty beacons on me to again test my annual fidelity.
But I did not know what new thing I needed to say, seventeen years after the death of Mala Kachallah, different from what I have written before.

The more I tried to forget the events of Wednesday 18th April, 2007, the fresher everything seem to be, reminding me and indeed, many of his disciples of the sad reality of having to live in perpetual nostalgia of the times we shared with Mala Kachallah.
Every anniversary of that day gives me, in particular, cause to reminiscence.

For me, every time I think some events will make me overcome the nostalgia, every year brings with it fresh tears for Mala Kachallah.
While fewer people today remember him, every passing year, comes with fresh questions about leadership and the challenges of today.
from people who still remember him.

I am not surprised that so many people, who hitherto adore him, seldom remember him today, given the existential challenges everyone seems to be facing. But I am afraid that our quest for survival may swallow with it the history of our heroes who are not physically with us today.
Just as the grasses of time seem to overgrow our senses of remembrance, so is the cemetery getting congested, with so many tombs threatening to swallow the exact spot Mala was buried.

For the third year now, I have not been to the Gwange cemetery for the usual homage, but that has not beclouded my sense of fidelity for the man, whose real value, many people did not appreciate untill he was gone.
I woke up this morning not knowing what to write, but I dug up an older piece I wrote and tried to cannibalise some thoughts, even as a fulfilment of my onligation.

Every time I recall my days with the sage, the thought of a few people come to my mind. Some are still around, while others have joined the world beyond.
Every time I think of Mala Kachallah, some people readily come to mind: People like Ali Abubakar Jatau, Dr Shettima Mustapha, Alhaji Ahmed Ashemi, Mala Alamai, Baba Dunoma, Maina Mohamned Tar. Fati Kakeena, Bashir Dungus. Iliya Stephen, Halima Rabassa, Mohammed Monguno, Kolo Warne, Alibe Konduga, Abba Habib, Modu Ngobama, Kabiru Sai Mala, and many more.
Very often, I try to juxtapose events of Mala Kachallah’s regency, against the Birno of today. I conclude that, even if he were physically around today, it is quite possible that he may not be in the right physical frame to do much, but his presence alone could have served as a reference point in political leadership.
Christened as the Captain Of Peace, one is bound to wonder hiw he would have felt, seeing the peace he bequeathed to Borno, fast giving way.
He may not be able to hold court but he could have been the oracle around whom good students of leadership could converge.

Mala Kachallah may not be strong enough to make powerful public speeches, or visit others, but his elderly counsels, his calm and candour, could have been a take away for everyone that visit.
As for me, I still relish the rich tutelage and his fatherly guide. Some of the things he used to tell me have tended to shape and reshape my outlook in life and forever I remain indebted to him even in death.

Mala Kachallah: 17 years ago And Fresh On My Mind