By Musa Tanimu Nasidi
“All living things on Earth must surely test death”
On this date (Monday) 30th of November, 2020 a philanthropist, Religious and political icon, Madaki of Lokoja and Nakorji of Budon, Alhaji Aliyu Ahmadu Autanyaya, left this world and returned to his creator after a brief illness and was buried on the 1st of December, 2020 at his Kabala west residence, kaduna state.
Like I mentioned earlier, all living things, on earth, mortal, must surely taste death and nobody can escape it – being the exit point to the world beyond.
People of all faith believe in the non eternity of life, that is, man and other living organisms cannot live forever. That is to say that all living things are mortal and that wherever and whatever the circumstance is, a transition to the world beyond must come one day.
Unarguably, some people die well accomplished, considering their great contributions to the society.
InshAllah, this is true to Madaki of Lokoja,late Autanyaya. He was a good father and Muslim not in name alone but in all his conduct and actions during his life time, he did not allow himself to be misled with any religious sentiment. He related with peoples in very humble manner without shown any discriminatory acts being a high ranking traditional title holder in Lokoja and his country home Budon, but related with peoples in very respective ways.
From all indications, Autanyaya lived a life of virtues and earnestly championed the cause of Muslims, Islam and Tijjaniya brotherhood. He was widely known as a man of honour, a father and someone who stood for justice. He will eternally be remembered for his steadfastness and absolute faith in Allah.
Late Autanyaya had always been spending whatever he had in taking care of less privilege, and other peoples,his priority in spending and caring for others was more noticeable in the areas of catering for orphans and promoting Islam and Tijjaniya brotherhood. He encouraged anyone to partake and pursue what is good and avoid what is evil and harmful as teaches by Qur’an.
He is a household name among the Kakanda
community at home and in disporah, a political gladiator and staunch member of the Tijaniya brotherhood in Nigeria.
According to a lecturer with Federal University, Lokoja, Dr Aminu Isah, who explained that Late Autanyaya was instrumental to the first ever visit of Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi to Lokoja and indeed Budon.He was always part of every closing of Tafsir of Shehu Dahiru Usman Bauchi in Kaduna.
Chairman,Federation of Kakanda Muslim, Alhaji Danasabe Darika Kabawa, in his tributes has this to say:
”Autanyaya single handedly sponsored the airing of the maiden Tafsir of the Federation of Kakanda Muslim ( FOKAM) on NTA Lokoja. He also sponsored the Hijrah and annual maulid of FOKAM”
A politician of repute especially in the politics of third and earlier parts of the Fourth republic,where he led the defunct APP to victory in Kogi state.
He was a one time Marafa of Budon,he was later upgraded to Nokorji, a title he held until his demised on the 30th of November 2020 at the age of 85 years.
Autanyaya is described as a kingmaker as was called by his peolpe, he remain must humble and kindhearted one will come across with. He choice to serve humanity and ensured preservation of the traditional stool of Budon and Kakanda Chiefdom in particular.
As a community leader, late Autanyaya, played a vital roles in the development of his immediate community, as evidenced with deployment of his resources towards the rehabilitation of Budon road,Building of a modern central mosque and footing of transportation bills during period of festivities. Late Nakorji was also instrumental to the appointments of Royal fathers within his domain.
He was at various times,Marafa,Sakyako and Nakorji of Budon.
A title Dr Isah,said is the peak of the traditional title of the Kingmakers in Kakanda Traditional Institution in Budan,which charge with the responsibilities of overseeing the affairs of the village heads.
Late Alhaji Ahmadu Autanyaya came into the limelight in the then Kwara Politics when he led the crusade for the election of late Alhaji Muhammad Saba to emerged as the first ever elected Chairman of Kakanda extraction in the then Kogi Local Government Area of Kwara State,who later become the Aganchu of Kakanda through the influences of Autanyaya who used his position as the leader of the ruling APP, in kogi state.
His immense contributions towards the success of the defunct All Peoples’ Party(APP) at the commencement of General Abdulsalam Abubakar transition to the Fourth republic in 1999, led Autanyaya emerged as the Kogi state APP leader.
As party leader,the deceased used his influences to the benefits of his people to secured joicy appointment to several persons into the cabinet of late Prince Abubakar Audu, including members of the party in his immediate constituency of Lokoja/Koto federal constituency axis.
It is on record that Lokoja/Kogi federal constituency then produced the member of House of Representatives,late Hon. Adamu Musa Osuku, position of Speaker of Kogi state house of assembly, commissioners, special advisers and prominent board appointments among many.
Late Autanyaya would continue to be remembered for his roles in Tijjaniya brotherhood, particularly in Lokoja and Kogi state in general. The late Nakoji of Budon and madaki of Lokoja, and leader of Tijaniyya Brotherhood until his demised, has been in the forefront of sponsoring Maulud Nabiyi,Tafsir and Hijrah celebrations in Lokoja and environs. He was in the forefront in the construction of the present Lokoja Central mosque.
These are an exemplary life Alhaji Ahmadu Aliyu Autanyaya lived and the legacy left behind! As we witness the twilight of a beautiful soul, on Monday,20th of November 2020 we pray that Allah in His infinite mercies reward him with Janatur’firdaus and grant his families, Muslim ummah the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable lost. Ameen
I pray that Allah forgives and have mercy on the soul of Alhaji Ahmadu Aliyu Autanyaya, keep him safe in the place where he has rested and make his grave wide; bless him for his good deeds and surround him with a garden filled with beauty.
May Allah admits him to Paradise and may his grave be spacious and filled with abundant light. Ameen.
Musa Tanimu Nasidi,is the publisher of THEANALYSTNG Online Newspaper ,he writes from Lokoja,Kogi state.
