Tribute
TRIBUTE: MALA KACHALLAH STIlLL MY HERO 15 YEARS AFTER.
TRIBUTE: MALA KACHALLAH STIlLL MY HERO 15 YEARS AFTER.
By: Inuwa Bwala
Another year has gone by, it is fifteen years since the man of peace, my mentor, my father, my boss and my confidant, Mala Kachallah passed on. One may say it has been long, yet for me, everything is still fresh in my mind. There is nothing new I may have to say, having marked his death for the past fourteen years with tributes.
I have narrated the events in my previous piece, but I need to restate parts of it for emphasis and for the benefits of those who have not followed my series on Maka Kachallah. Every time the year goes round, I look back at the events of that fateful day, 18th April, 2007, when the heat was intense, and in the same campaign year for the 2007 General elections.
We had gone round with Mala Kachallah touring the southern part of Borno state for the campaigns and only once did he call my attention in Askira to inform me he was not feeling fine and may not go for the second leg of the tour. Otherwise, he looked hale and hearty, and even asked me to continue with the team for the remaining tour and get back to him when we return to Maiduguri.
I did not suspect anything even when Honorable Mohammed Wakil called me to his inner room, until he informed me that my attention was needed at Mala Kachalla’s residence. He said they were leaving me behind, but that I should feed him back on what the matter was. I could sense something was wrong, but nobody betrayed any form of expression towards me, even as I went out of the house heading to Mala Kachalla’s residence on the Airport Road.
I could see three or more groups of people in the open yard at Mala Kachallah’s house discussing in hushed tongues. They looked away from me immediately I entered, but by then it was obvious that something was wrong in the house. I went into the house and was confronted by some prominent people, including his former deputy, Ali Abubakar Jatau. They pointed to his door and I headed straight for it, with my heart in my mouth. I did not need to be informed at that stage what had happened.
Since then, the events of that day and the attendant events in the state long after his death remind me that the peace of Borno may have departed with him. And every time I write to commemorate that sad event, I always pay tribute to him, I take a mental tour of the once home of peace with nostalgia of the Mala Kachallah days.
Everytime I pray, I crave to pray for leaders in the mould of Mala Kachallah, with the hope that Borno may once more experience the tranquility of his era. We seem to be gradually getting there, with Professor Babagana Umara Zulum: though I know it is not yet uhuru.
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I equally pray that God should grant me the grace to replicate the things he told me: one of which I should never keep nalice. Even for the lessons I learnt through his life, I remain ever faithful and grateful to Mala Kachallah even after his death.
Today, not so many people remember him, not even in the political cycles, but everybody relishes the era of his leadership as one of the most peaceful in Borno state. Mala Kachallah who everybody prefers to call the man of peace gave every section a sense of belonging in Government, and everybody a sense of justice, to the effect that he was christened “The Captain of Peace”. Those who had the privilege of coming into contact with him, can also testify that Mala Kachallah was so hospitable and lavish with his resources on others, that he left office a virtual pauper. Beyond these, Mala Kachallah was Godly and passionate about his faith.
I quite agree that every leader has an idiosyncratic approach to solving problems; in which case such approaches may differ from one leader to the other. The circumstances surrounding Mala Kachalla’s leadership may be different from what obtains after him, but every time there is crisis in Borno state, I often reminiscence on his style of leadership; often asking with a very strong sense of nostalgia: what would Mala Kachallah have done differently to solve such a crisis.
I often find solace in the activities of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, who, given the rightful atmosphere, has demonstrated sufficient will and capacity to replicate the deeds of Mala Kachallah or even surpass him. I also admire Senator Kashim Shettima’s fidelity to the legacies of Mala Kachallah while he was the Governor. Both men always encourage me to keep Mala Kachallah’s memory alive. I have never ceased to acknowledge the fact that each leader after Mala Kachallah gave their best in their own ways. I am particularly impressed with the efforts of the Borno State Government which has not only immortalized Mala Kachallah, but has not left his family in penury.
May God continue to grant him eternal rest.
TRIBUTE: MALA KACHALLAH STIlLL MY HERO 15 YEARS AFTER.
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
Tributes: Dr. Madu Garga Mailafiya, 1942–2024
By: Balami Lazarus
I was with him in his residence in Maiduguri three weeks before he passed away, on February 18, 2024. Dr. Madu Garga Mailafiya was looking fine and in good, healthy condition. There was no sign of a final good-bye this time around in my mind.
Dr. Madu and I had a long discussion on the state of the nation and some contemporary issues and ended with Zaria/Samaru nostalgia as a lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria in the 1970s, where Mailafiya taught mass media. Unknowingly to us both, death was lurking around.
On March 29th, 2024, I was again at No. 30 Bukar Dapcharima Road, Old GRA Maiduguri, his residence, for the 40th day of prayers, where prayers were offered for the repose of his gentle soul.
Dr. Madu Garga Mailafiya was born on October 12, 1942, in Gwaski, Sakwa district of Hawul Local Government Area of Borno State. Having schooled both at home and abroad, he became an ace journalist and broadcaster who had worked in various capacities in the electronic media sector and ended his career in retirement as Executive Director of News with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in Abuja.
Testimonies and tributes said of him portray him as a good man with a large heart who has contributed to the human and capital development of his community. He was 81 and survived by his children and grandchildren.
Balami, a publisher and columnist.
Tributes: Dr. Madu Garga Mailafiya, 1942–2024
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