As George Bernard Shaw would say, “Life levels all men and death reveals the eminent.” Today marks a decade since the passing of our late father, Hon. Khadi Alkali Habib Tijjani, a man who touched countless lives and hearts during his lifetime. He was a father, devoted husband, cherished grandfather, and respected public servant cum mentor whose legacy continues to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing him.
As I have always maintained in my annual tribute to him since his demise on 1st February 2006, Baa (as we fondly called him) was a man of magnetic warmth, quintessential wisdom, and pragmatic humour during his lifetime. He used to share jovial stories of his travels to Ngaundare, Douala, Garoua, Maroua and Tibati in the Republic of Cameroon, and across Mambila, Gembu, Mubi, Ngurore, Gashaka, Ganye, Toungo and Jada, where he married his first wife, Hajja Hadiza, fondly called Mama Uwani (may Allah have mercy on her gentle soul).
His tales of growing up under the guidance of his late uncle, Alhaji Mamman Dafami, in Dikwa, Gulumba and Bama, as well as the lessons he learnt in entrepreneurship under the tutelage of his brother-in-law, late Alhaji Mallam Umara Kokari, at Litinin Yerwaye (now Monday Market) in the late 1950s through the early 1960s, still resonate deeply within us. Even in death, his kindness, humility and love for people continue to inspire many.
In line with his practice of taking us on road trips when we were young, I also took my children on a road trip recently to visit some of the towns and communities where he lived and worked during his years in public service, and to re-establish ties with them. Some of these places included Zaria, Kano, Machina, Nguru, Yusufari, Karasuwa, Geidam, Potiskum, Hadejia, Katsina and beyond. Although most of his colleagues and friends have sadly passed on, we were warmly received by their families.
For instance, we cherish the hospitality of the family of His Royal Highness, the late Mai Bukar Machinama of Machina Emirate, whose son, the current Emir, His Royal Highness Alhaji Dr. Bashir Albishir Bukar Machinama, OON, L’ONN, was out of the country attending the graduation ceremony of Muhammadu Sanusi II, the 16th Emir of Kano, who was awarded a PhD in Law from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London.
While in Nguru, we visited the families of the late District Head of Nguru, His Highness Alhaji Zannah Medala Ali; late Baba Abdu Alkali; late Ba Zannah Maidodo (the Sarkin Hausawa of Nguru); as well as the family of Sheikh Uthmanu Fillatiya. The eldest daughter of Ba Zannah Maidodo, upon realising who we were, broke down in uncontrollable tears.
My visit to the family of late Mallam Yusuf Kasuwan Dare also stood out. While introducing myself to the patriarch of the family, Alhaji Mamman Mallam Yusuf, he shed tears of joy and reminisced about the past. He reminded us of the deep relationship that existed between our late parents, expressed happiness at the revival of ties, and promised to sustain them. I also lost control, weeping profusely with him in the middle of the road, to the astonishment of onlookers and my children.
Before departing Nguru, we also visited the families of Alhaji Mallam Baba Tela of Kadawa Ward; Alhaji Modu Musa (my primary schoolmate at Nguru Central Primary School); the families of late Alhaji Bature, Alhaji Garba Nayaya, and late Mallam Haladu Jajimaji. On my next visit, In Shaa Allah, I intend to visit more families, especially that of late Alhaji Labaran Jika, whom our family holds in high esteem for convincing our father to enrol us at the Nigerian Military School, Zaria, during the 1984/1985 session—an intention that was unfortunately thwarted by circumstances beyond our control.
He personally procured the application forms for us from the office of the then Sole Administrator of Nguru Local Government and ensured they were duly completed with the prescribed passport photographs affixed. Indeed, by now, my elder brother, Mohammed Alkali Habib (a.k.a. Bakura Habib), and I might have been senior officers in the Nigerian Armed Forces.
While passing through Wachakal, Dumsai Wachakal, Chumbusko, Chulumbuta, Garin Gawo, Alhajiri, Jajimaji and Bukarti, our journey took us to Gashua, where we visited one of our father’s court messengers, Ba Musa Dawa, who accompanied us to Yusufari. I told my children that if not for time constraints, we would have spent the night in Gashua and visited the Mai Bade, His Royal Highness Mai Abubakar Umar Suleiman.
Although he may not have known us personally, our late father was very particular about his friendship with the late Mai Bade, His Royal Highness Mai Saleh ibn Suleiman II, OFR, who died in November 2005, while our father passed on in February 2016. According to our father, the friendship began through the late Goni Aji of Gashua during Mai Saleh’s appointment as Mai Bade in 1981.
At the time, our father was the Judge of the Nguru Upper Area Court, and following the death of the Judge of the Upper Area Court, Gashua, he was directed to oversee the court from 1983. It was while returning to Nguru after a day’s court session in Gashua that the death of Mallam Aminu Kano was announced on 17th April 1983. I still remember we were children inside the station wagon. Gashua was a stronghold of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP-Sawaba), making the loss particularly profound.
The friendship between our late father and the late Mai Bade Saleh blossomed to the extent that the Mai Bade named one of his grandchildren after our mother, Hajja Fati, in appreciation of our father’s loyalty and consistency. On my next visit to Yobe State, In Shaa Allah, I intend to visit the current Mai Bade to revive family ties and learn more about our mother’s namesake.
We drove through the night to Jakusko via Garin Alkali, where I showed my children the house of the town’s founder, whom our father used to visit regularly. Upon arriving in Potiskum around 10:00 pm, we went straight to the house of one of our father’s junior colleagues in the judiciary and close confidants, Baba Alkali Abubakar Galadima.
When our father was Judge of the Upper Area Court, Damboa, in 1987, Alkali Galadima was the Area Court Judge of Chibok under his supervision. Since our father’s death, Baba Alkali Galadima has maintained a strong relationship with us, likening our father to an elder brother.
I intended to rush my children through greetings and proceed to Katsina en route to Kano, but he calmly and authoritatively questioned whether my father, were he alive, would permit such a night journey. When I answered in the negative, he declared: “Therefore, if you regard me as Alkali Habib, I hereby quash your intention to proceed and direct that all your belongings be offloaded.” His words broke my heart, and we ended the journey that night.
Ironically, the next morning, the children and I confessed how much we enjoyed the peaceful sleep, free of tension and stress.
Another interesting story Baba Alkali Galadima shared was the three pieces of advice our father gave him: to always dress neatly as a judge; to avoid casual public gatherings; and never to drive himself. He confirmed that throughout his career in public service, he adhered strictly to these principles.
Everywhere we visited, many wept upon seeing us, recounting our father’s generosity, humility and love. It was a profoundly moving experience, blending sadness and pride as we realised his values and legacy live on.
The following day, we drove to Katsina, where we visited the Commander-General of the Katsina State Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Usman (Abu Ammar), through whom we reached the family of the late Khadi Alkali Dodo, our father’s senior colleague and friend.
Our visit to Kano was multifaceted. After visiting family friends such as the family of late Khadi Alkali Tijjani Yahaya Dukawa, we visited some of my wife’s relatives—the descendants of late Alhaji Bala Dambatta. Some were connected to the families of late Alhaji Abba Abdullahi, late Alhaji Baba Nabegu, Alhaji Mujtaba Dantata, late Audu Bako (former Military Governor of old Kano State), among others.
We had planned to visit two prominent acquaintances of our father—Alhaji Abdulkarim Dayyabu and Hajiya Najaatu Muhammad—but had to cut the trip short to return to Abuja due to urgent commitments. In Shaa Allah, I intend to complete these visits subsequently.
[Remaining paragraphs corrected for grammar and flow without altering substance.]
Late Alkali Habib devoted 35 years to public service, rising to the position of Khadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal of Borno State (1991–1998). He served with integrity, humility and fairness across numerous postings.
His life embodied virtue, discipline and service. He taught us respect for humanity, care for the less privileged, loyalty to knowledge and teachers, patience, fairness, humility and independence of thought. Even in moments of darkness, his principles guide us.
Alkali Habib Tijjani’s legacy is not only in his achievements but in the lives he touched, the love he shared and the values he instilled. May Allah grant him Aljannah Firdaus, and may his memory continue to inspire peace, unity and service in our family and communities for generations to come. Ameen.
Mohammed Habib (Baba Kaduna Alkali) goodhabib@yahoo.co.uk
