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Today, marks 9 days of late Rt.Hon Buba Jibril who died on 29th March, 2018 at the eve of an all very important period.
The amazing tributes, tears and sorrow expressed as a mark of respect for Hon Buba from both expected and unexpected quarters have showed that he was not just a representative who represented Lokoja Koto federal constituency diligently in the National Assembly; he was a politician’s politician, a consummate humanist and a patriotic Nigeria
It is often said that there is time for everything in life. There is a time to be born, a time to grow, a time to explore the world and a time to die. For Hon Buba Jibril, there was a time to be born, a time grow, a time achieve quality education, a time to excel in civil service, a time to join politics and a time to make sacrifices, statements and put together actions which have a lasting impact on one’s generation and generations yet unborn… And ultimately a time to transit to the other side and be celebrated.
And when his death was finally confirmed, it was as if a dark cloud had covered the surface of the earth for those who knew him closely and benefited from his exemplary milk of human kindness.
I went for a night class reading, only to come back and saw series of missed calls from families, friends and stories on the Facebook about the death of Hon Buba Jibril and I shouted “A whole Hon Buba death” no, no. But it became obvious and I have to grapple with the reality at hand.
It was the darkest day in the history of the constituency in particular and the Nation in general. The late leader home became a mecca of sort, mourners, sympathisers thronged his quite country home, Kabawa, Lokoja LGA of Kogi State. Political, Business leaders across the country was not left out of the sea of people that fateful day, who came to paid their last respect to a leader of all time.
There was pandemonium as people could not believed that the great Dama has passed on, and the story that he was critically sick and taken to the hospital filters the air which gave the mourners temporary relief even though great number of them knew its was a myth, the story spread acros Lokoja like a wildfire. But the atmosphere remained frenzied and the entire community remained lockdown with people rolling on the bare ground, crying and other singing Islamic Zikri while other standing in total disbelief.
Many stories were going round with respect to his death, some are saying diabolical means have been used to kill him; the truth is that God has it that he will leave eternity today.
When Buba corpse was finally brought out for his final journey, the entire compound became uncontrollable, as people want to catch the glimpse of their leader, hundreds climped rooftop and fence to do that. He was lowered into the grave exactly past 2pm.
Dama of Lokoja was first elected into kogi state House of Assembly in the year 2003
In recognition of his rare feat, the people of Lokoja/Kogi (Koton-Karfe) federal constituency save him another mandate for the third term. First, on the platform People Democratic Party (PDP). Secondly, on the platform of Congress Progressive Change (CPC) and thirdly on the platform of All Progressive Congress (APC).
It was during his time that Lokoja Koto witnessed monumental achievements in every sphere of human development, scholarship scheme, Education, Road Constructions, Healthcare services centres, ICT training, Sports etc.
For his selfless services to the people of Lokoja Koto federal constituency. Many groups and association poured an encomiums on him. No one could honoured Dama of Lokoja better than his constituency and which the people did and must be commended.
Buba was a successful architect and an administrator per excellent.
His philosophy was to look at a specific policy and determine if it would work. Buba was a strong believer of good governance and development, he placed great emphasis on education and growth in human capital.
His stature is immense, he was a true statesman who touches the lives of many Lokoja Koto indigines in different ways.
He was a pillar, compassionate leader who mean well for the constituency.
There is an old Japanese proverb: “Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare.”
Buba was truly a visionary and pragmatic leader who took actions to make his visions a reality. His political opponents profile continue to waned towards the election and some disappeared from the public due to irrelevance as Buba popularity continue to rise and rise.
I recalled in one of our meetings with him in Abuja of recent . It was to evaluate the chances of his candidature and his party in the two federal constituency, he said to me ” Abbas we are going to win in the two zones because of my past records, although I haven’t decided weather to contest” He said the last election has afforded him to know more of Lokoja Koto great minds, he specifically mentioned Hajia Marka. He described Hajia Marka as an Intelligent woman and Principle politician.
He wore occasionally a great smile throughout the conversation we had. We talked about the challenges ahead and discussed strategies. And toward the end of the meeting, I asked , “What will happen after your four years”
He laughed lightheartedly and said, , “we shall look for competent hands to takeover” he said confidently.
Buba’s death should be a lesson in changing patterns of worldly affairs, that human cannot determine his next breaths and moves, as we remember him today in prayers and always, let’s imbibed his good legacy for the interest of our constituency.
While recalling the good deeds of Buba, including his courage as a politician, to challenge the political class in the state for taking decisions that did not serve the interests of the majority, former senator Tunde Ogbeha said: “He fought for good governance, especially in our dear state of Kogi, and Nigeria at large. Merchants and profiteers of bad governance had the knives all out for him, but never to be intimidated, he stood his ground and held the lines with rare courage until his death. He represented an idea that death cannot kill.”
A former staff of Federal University of Technology, Minna FUT, Jerry Alagbaso, who was Buba’s contemporary in service, described the late deputy majority leader as “a jolly good and resourceful staff while he was in the service.” Another retired civil servant in FUT Minna, Ibrahim Bello , said, “It is not possible in a moment to describe the person of late Hon Buba Jibril. I pray God to grant his family the fortitude to bear the loss.”
A member from Lagos and the majority leader of the house, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila said he learnt from Buba the lesson that those fighting for political positions ahead of 2019 might not live to see the year.
“We were very close. He told me that people were fighting because of 2019 elections, but who would say with confidence that they would see 2019? He was not desperate about positions and this is a lesson for all of us.”
he described late Buba as a grassroots politician who cared about the needs of not just his constituents but that of all poor Nigerians.
The speaker Rt Hon Yaqubu Dogara, who fought back tears at the burial ground , said he had thought Buba would wake up before he was buried but that didn’t happen to his disappointment.
“When we were praying, my thinking was that Buba Jibril will wake up. I remember even at the graveyard, A Hon member made a comment that ‘the Muslims are too much in a hurry to bury someone. This man just died in the morning and we are burying him now’. I thought maybe if we allowed him for some time, maybe something will happen But it didn’t happen and it never will.”
Another prominent member from Lagos state, representing Ikeja federal constituency, Hon James Faleke, said late Buba was a cheerful giver who gave his last for his constituents and the needy across the country.
“Buba Jibril is a person that whatever he gets, he sends everything home. I met him and told him that whatever he is doing, these people will forget it on the day of primary and general elections. I advised him to start saving something because if they don’t see you performing something, they will not vote for you. I never knew that Buba Jibril will not even see the primary election,” he added.
Senate President Bukola Saraki also described late Buba Jibril as a “good sterling example” of a representative of the people. He was a man that won the respect of us all because he was calm, truthful and made friends as much as possible. Buba had integrity and cared for his people.
“As we forge ahead, we must learn from this. We must understand that we have a role to play and we must give our best because death will definitely come. Hon Buba Jibril was a good sterling example of who you should be when you’re serving your people,” he added.
Even outside the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly, both lawmakers and other stakeholders kept on heaping deserved eulogies on the deceased based on the exemplary life he lived.
The torrents of tributes that poured in for Buba did not only come from his political associates and the high and mighty in the society. This is what Alhaji Idris Adamu, a veteran journalist, said about his last major encounter with him:
“I live in a vicinity on the outskirts of Abuja. The mosque I pray was in need of a power generator, I pondered on how to contribute my widow’s mite then it occurred to me to approach some Rep members. I then first went to late Hon Buba who asked me to come to his house in Lokoja .”
“One Saturday morning I left for Lokoja and found his residence easily, introduced myself at the gate and I was ushered in where I met him in a meeting with his supporters. He asked to join them. Soon after the meeting late Buba Jibril asked me to escort him to a place where we went together with some of his supporters for a condolence visit. The late Buba thereafter ordered for a brand new, very big power generator but I can’t remember the exact size now. He lodged me in a good hotel till the following morning and gave me enough money to convey me back to Abuja with the generator and a cover note on his official letterhead. I arrived safely and handed over the power generator to the Imam of our mosque. It was prayer galore for the late Hon Buba and me too on that day. May his soul rest in peace. Amin.”
The tributes are simply inexhaustible… To die and have all these said about you is to have lived and died well. It is hoped that all Nigerians, not only the political leaders, will learn from the inspiring story of Hon Buba Jibril the transience of life and the need to be good to all men at all times.
May your soul rest in peace and let perpetual light shine on you.
– Abbas Yahaya
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