The Loss Of Odagyo: One Year After
By: Commodore Yahaya Owuna (rtd)
Exactly, one year ago, we lost the big, comforting tree, Odagyo that, provided shade for the Afo people.
On the early morning of Friday, 2nd of June 2023, Alhaji Abubakar Kana breathed his last. The news of the passing of this great man, was received with shock by all who have come to know him. Family members, friends, colleagues, government officials and even the ordinary folks who live near him, trooped to his compound to commiserate.
The tributes paid by many persons, on the life of the inimitable son of Afo land were overwhelming and were a true reflection of who the man was. There is, therefore, nothing new I would write about Alhaji Abubakar Kana, that had not been expressed by some people, who have known him probably, more than I do. However, after one year, which looks like just yesterday, it would be necessary to once again remind us about the life and time the son of Agbolo clan, in Eloyi (Kana), Agwada Development Area, Kokona Local Government Area, Nasarawa State. In this respect, this tribute essentially, focuses on the aspects of the life of Alhaji Abubakar Kana, that many might consider as ideals of a worthwhile existence.
Indeed, it is impossible to be like Kana. This was succinctly pointed out by the Imam of the mosque near his house. In his summon that Friday afternoon, he said the society has lost a unique man, whose types are very rare.
Alhaji Abubakar Odu Egya Kana, who by choice adopted the name of his community as his surname, was born into a family of moderate means some 85 years ago. Despite their vision impairment at their old age, the parents had large hearts and loving care for their children. Kana and his siblings inherited this genetic urge for success against all odds. According to a popular saying in Afo land, if your mother has given birth to you, it is essential to undergo a personal rebirth for a successful life. The attributes and attainment of Abubakar Kana, show the eternal relevance of this Afo maxim.
It takes a village to raise a child. Abubakar Kana was very much aware of this adage. For this reason, he always had the interest of his community and the people in mind. He was a relentless advocate of educational, social and economic development of Kana, his hometown. It is, therefore, no wonder, that the community of Kana, probably, has produced the largest number of university graduates in Afo land. His people in return, appreciated his contributions by giving him the traditional title of Odagyo of Eloyi.
As a family man, only few compare with him. He was till the end of his life a doting and caring husband to his surviving wife and nine children. Educational attainment of his children mattered so much to him.
Somebody quipped that, there are more degrees per square meters in Kana’s house than in some universities. See the roll call yourself: a general manager of the State Water Board, two professors, two medical doctors, one of whom is a permanent secretary in a federal ministry, a broadcaster of repute and a military officer.
Abubakar Kana was a teacher who climbed all rungs of the educational ladder. He taught, was school administrator. He planned, organized and managed educational institutions in Plateau and Nasarawa States. At the end, he was like a consultant on the nation’s educational system. Indeed, he was the best minister of education Nigeria never had.
By 1978, Kana was the first and only Afo university graduate. Through his unrelenting efforts, today, Afo land has no less than ten professors, many PhD holders and uncountable number of graduates. Kana might have been a graduate of English, but his knowledge of the history of Afo land is second to none. These accomplishments, earned him the traditional title of Danmasanin Edege. Thankfully, the Osu-Ajiri, bestowed the same title on Alhaji Ahmed Kana, the first son, symbolically, retaining the majestic title in Kana’s house.
In all, the attributes and massive accomplishments of Kana can be broadly summed up in the following lines.
He had a messianic impulse for development of his people, with the belief that the quickest way to achieve this would be through education. When he passed out of Teachers College, Keffi in 1967, his desire was to be posted to Edege Mbeki, the heart of Afo land, as headmaster. Although, this did not materialize, one of his outstanding classmates, Umaru Musa Kolo, became our headmaster at Edege in 1968. He was instead, sent to Gurku, a place that enabled him to develop new friendship and gave him an everlasting partner, his first wife, Hajiya Maryam Abubakar Kana.
To him, his existence as a human being, was enough motivation to render altruistic service to humanity. He was not only deeply religious, but was full of self contentment. Material accumulation was anathema to him. He shunned all the attempt to move him to a more serene part of Keffi town, preferring instead to live in the house he built in the 1976.
He was a man at peace with himself. He was an advocate of peaceful resolution of disputes, be it between individuals, in his community, in Afo land and even beyond. I never heard him talk ill about someone.
Alhaji Abubakar Kana had time for everybody. He kept in touch with all, through personal visits when his health permitted or by phone calls. He was exceptionally close to his children. Whenever they visited him, he had a unique way of placing his hands on their heads, rendering prayers as he bade them goodbye. When I lost my wife in 2021, Alhaji Abubakar Kana paid me a condolence visit in Nasarawa, his debilitating ailment notwithstanding. Not only me, but he did same to many others.
Kana was a very good student of history. He learned so much from others. One of his mentors was Alhaji Muhammadu Wada, of blessed memory. He himself has become a mentor to many others, both Afo and non Afo persons. Those who have taken the mentorship of Kana to heart are holding the longer arm of the bargain.
Finally, Alhaji Abubakar Kana was by no means a naive man. He was aware that the society was undergoing rapid changes. Through character and deeds it was no longer possible to have unanimity of purpose. He however, admonished us not to be tired in preaching the ideals that unite the people. He might have gone but his good deeds, quite a number of them, are there, in abundance for all to emulate.
May Almighty Allah forgive Alhaji Abubakar Kana and grant him Aljanah Firdaus.
Commodore Yahaya Owuna writes from Nassarawa LGA of Nasarawa state.
