A family meeting of the brother’s of Alhaji Isah in Bida

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In Memory of Alhaji Isah

Chief Lababidi and I had the good fortune to know Alhaji Isah, Allah yir Hamu for nearly 20 years. Alhaji Isah was known to many as PRO. He was the ‘go to man’ who sorted out everything in Abuja. Yes, everything, from household problems to important meetings. We could always depend on Alhaji Isah. He met us at the airport with a warm smile and confidence that any request could and would be met. I was distinctly impressed by his positive attitude, wisdom when things didn’t go as expected, and his quiet search for solutions.

In late 1990s, my daughter, Saadia and I had the rare opportunity of seeing the surrounding environs of Abuja guided by Alhaji Isah. We visited Fulani markets and villages of groups of Gwari and Gwandara. In 2000 Alhaji Essa took Saadia and me to the African Cup finals between Nigeria and Cameroon in the Abuja stadium. What an experience!

When I was volunteering at Fuad Lababidi Islamic Academy and received guests, Alhaji Isah was ready to help me. And too, when I visited schools outside of Abuja, Alhaji Isah made sure we found the schools and met the appropriate individuals. I will always hold dear these memories.

Bida, Nigeria, is Alhaji Isah’s hometown and an area of Nigeria that I yearned to visit. We were organizing a March trip. What a joy it was to hear about the places we planned to visit! I knew that traveling with Alhaji to his hometown would be an experience of a lifetime. Now, I must go, more than ever, to honor Alhaji Isah.

As a friend, the passing of Alhaji Isah has left a deep pain in my heart. LBH has lost a dedicated and loyal member of its staff. And Nigeria, has lost a good man.

May Alhaji Isah rest in peace. We will miss you, Alhaji Isah.

Blessings to all,

Chief Mrs. Lesley Lababidi

All Photographs and text are under international copyright laws. No re-use without the written permission of Lesley Lababidi 2023.