By Musa Tanimu Nasidi
It is not the nature of man to choose to serve, ordinarily. Everyone wants to be served. So, I was captivated when I met a Leader who, though entitled to be served, chose to serve. His Royal Highness Alhaji (Dr.) Muhammadu Kabiru Maikarfi 111, the Maigari of Lokoja, who passed away on September 28,2022.
His Royal Highness,served humanity with exemplary humility and irreproachable integrity.
Like many admirers who drew inspiration from the ascetic life and compassionate reign of the 3rd Maigari among the Muhammadu Maikarfi Dynasty, and were deeply pained by the loss, it was hard to be consoled; not even by the soothing words of the Persian polymath and astronomer, Omar Khayyam, who said: “when you are so full of sorrow that you can’t walk, can’t cry anymore, think about the green foliage that sparkles after the rain”. The late monarch was a pious leader who upheld justice and radiated love to all people he came across at home and away.
The late Maigari was a
pragmatic, seasoned, and thorough-bred Monarch who contributed immensely to the overall development of his domain and the Kogi state as a whole throughout his reign spanning three decades.
To the people, Late Muhammadu Kabir Maikarfi, was a great leader. His shoulder stood strong with huge responsibility and burden. It will sincerely be difficult to find his replacement in the family.
The kind of “zumunci’’ he practised to members of our family(Late Nasidi family) is just second to none and unquantifiable. HRH was a kind of personality with principles and ethics. I have not come across an individual who epitomised authority like him,when it came to shouldering responsibilities in his entire household, he carried everyone along and treated them equally.
Late Bagadhizi, touched so many lives positively in one way or another. He shouldered all responsibilities for more than 30 years or more, Indeed, the vacuum he left will certainly be difficult to fill.
Maigari was a peacemaker, who would not want to be like Muhammadu Kabir Maikarfi of blessed memory ? A father and my revered Royal father, who was a vast ocean of relief in the desert of human needs.
The 13th century poet and philosopher, Jalal al-Din Rumi, could well be addressing the people’s Royal father when he said: “You are not just a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean, in a drop”.
In history, great men are ordinary people who did extra ordinary things that make their names bigger than their physical size ,e.g The Bayaros,Kwasaus,Mansabas etc.
The efforts he made positively changed Lokoja Emirate council and Lokoja Local Government traditional Council as it Chairman for better.
Alhaji (Dr) Muhammadu Kabir Maikarfi 111, belongs to this category of great leaders. His name MAIKARFI gotten from his ancestors and custodian of Great Muhammadu Maikarfi Dynasty, is a poster that needs no introduction and it rings a bell not only in his domain but across the globe .
Like the mustard seed the name has been watered and grown to the point that it is a household name in kogi state and the country at large.
The late Monarch, in fact, did everything that needed to be done to preserve the Unity of Lokoja as he inherited from his ancestors, he promoted biodiversity and sustain the peace in his domain through out his reign.
Indeed the late MAIGARI’s extraordinary commitment to the religious Harmony can only be pinned to the immortal words of former president of united State of America, Theodore Roosevelt, a conservationist and 26th president of the US, who said: “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are”. Alhaji (Dr) Muhammadu Kabir Maikarfi,111, for a fact, did everything he could and committed all his resources, energy and enthusiasm to the cause of Allah. May Allah in His infinity mercies reward him abundantly! Ameen.
Open Letter To Late HRH, Maigari Of Lokoja, Dr Muhammadu Kabiru Maikarfi 111, of Blessed memory.
Your Royal Highness,365 days after you departed from this world,a lot of water has passed under the bridge in your domain and the ruling house. Bagadoghzi, as your subjects and loyal servants, we still mourns you as we remain orphans in the wilderness without credible shepherd.
The Unity,peace and love which you inherited and sustained from your ancestors has been fragmented by some of your trusted allies and confidants, as most of them you entrusted with responsibilities now abandoned it due to their selfishness, greediness and lust for power .
Your domain still remains in peace, unlike during your reign, now it’s the peace of “Grave Yard” or Unguwan Kura cemetery. Your subjects are still mourning you departure, especially during the two Eid festivals which for the first time we observed in your absence.
The ruling house have been turned to money venture, where some turned your demised to a money making opportunity, receiving politicians, guests and mourners to receive ” kudin Adu’a”
The visits to the palace in the name of condolence “Visit” continued months after your departures, which created division as a result of sharing of ” Financial Gratification” donated to your families, especially the widows and orphans among the children you gloriously left behind.
The Hakimis you appointed to supervise Wards, traditional title holders and village Heads in your domain,have been skipped,while visitors to the palace are being received by a group in the name of “Maikarfi Ruling House”
Less I forgot,the first eidil-fitir we observed in your absence, Bagadhizi,an incidence happened in form of Magana Jari Ce ,by Dr Abubakar Imam, where Wazirin Ako wanted to takeover from Sarki!
Your Royal Highness sir, a day before eidil-fitir,a letter purportedly emanated from group which I mentioned earlier,” the Maigari Ruling House”, the contained which was signed by untitled traditional title holder” MAGA TAKAR DA” approved the appointment of Magajin Gari of Lokoja as the leader that according to them would led Muslim ummah to eidil-fitir praying ground in Felele, Lokoja.
As unusual and uncultured during your reign, the press statement, approval and appointment of Magajin Gari was squashed on arrival by your brother,HRH the Olu of Oworo, Mallam Mohammed Adoga Baiyerohi, who reaffirmed the Chief Imam of Lokoja, Sheikh Muhammadu Aminu Sha’aban, to led Muslim community.
Last year’s eidil-fitir and eidil-adha were observed peacefully and successfully, in commemoration of Sallah, we all prayed to Allah for your internal and permanent abode in janatul-firdaus.
Bagadoghzi, some of your traditional title holders and Senior Councilors in your cabinets have become subjects of ridicule due to their stands against injustice and refusal to compromised their unalloyed loyalty to you when you were alive and now that you’re no longer with us. They remain steadfast and committed to your ideals of equity, fairness and peaceful co-existance among our people includes the Royal families.
While others turned “back their back”, ,their contributions after your departures towards the development of the Emirate is viewed by your subjects as nothing,but mere ” Window-dressing”
Your Royal Highness,Allah had answered the fervent prayers you initiated against cultism and insecurity in Lokoja during our trial period, their activities have been reduced in your domain since you answered the supreme called.
On the current Economic Hardships,your subjects are not left out. Your Royal Highness,the pains is not only been felt ,but it’s in a multiple facets .
Thousands of our people that reliant on you, many of which you shouldered their burdens, ‘ve become sojourners and unsolicited beggars !
While your Hakimis and village heads are performing their official duties without salaries been paid by the Local Government administration when you are with them, the situation remain same , your palace guards and “hanger-on to your palace are desolated and disoriented due to your absence . Many have since abandoned their duty posts.
Bagadhizi, like I mentioned earlier, those of us that remains loyal to you when you were alive, would continue to sustained our unalloyed support: this loyalty would be extended to your successor, whose identity you’ve pointed out to all your subjects includes: our Islamic clerics, Kingmakers, Revered Traditional title holders, your Senior Councilors in your Cabinets, Retired and serving military officers,Clergymen in various Christian dominations, Ordinary citizens like me and many too numerous to mentioned.
“THE WORDS OF OUR ELDERS ARE WORDS OF WISDOM,A WISEMAN HEAR AND GET WISER”
Late HRH. Muhammadu Kabiru Maikarfi was a very committed and patriotic Royal father and died when his services to the state and nation were still most needed.Painful loss your departures as it remains!
But the only consolidation is in the promise of the Almighty Allah:
“And (for) humble men and humble women…He (Allah) has prepared forgiveness and a magnificent reward”. (Qur’an 33:35).
Our community for 365 days remain without Royal father,this unexplained situations is not only affecting the economic development of the ancient town, it’s equally affecting it spiritual growth.
Let me us this medium to appeal to the authority concerns on the need to expedite action in approving and confirm for Lokoja community New MAIGARI OF LOKOJA, the appointment and confirmation is long overdue..
For the first time since your grandfather,Revered Muhammadu Maikarfi 1, ascended the throne in 1916, this is the first time in the history of Lokoja Muslims ummah, observed Ramadan without spiritual father while our Christians counterpart- celebrated Christmas in same situation. We can’t continue to remain without spiritual, custodian of our culture and traditions.
Socrates held that : “virtue is a kind of knowledge and that anyone who knows what virtue is cannot help but act virtuously.”
The late Maigari who died on Wednesday 28th, September 2022 in Abuja ,after a brief illness at the age of 80years, left behind wives and children. Among who is, Prince Ibrahim Gambo Kabir Maikarfi,vSenior Son of our beloved monarch,work with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) headquarters,Abuja.
May Allah forgive HRH. Maigarin Lakwaja, Alhaji (Dr) Muhammadu Kabiru Maikarfi 111, all his shortcomings, grant him janatul-firdaus Ameen!
Musa Tanimu Nasidi is a journalist and publisher of ThEANLYSTNG,he writes from Lokoja, Kogi state
