ABDULRAHMAN MODIBBO: THE ASLEEP AND ADORED ADMINISTRATOR OF ADAMAWA
ABDULRAHMAN MODIBBO: THE ASLEEP AND ADORED ADMINISTRATOR OF ADAMAWA
ABDULRAHMAN MODIBBO: THE ASLEEP AND ADORED ADMINISTRATOR OF ADAMAWA
By Bala Ibrahim
It is exactly three days today, that Alhaji Abdulrahman Modibbo Girei, fondly referred to as, Baba Rector, by his children and grandchildren, departed this world. He died peacefully and quietly, in the midst of some of his children and grandchildren, last Friday evening, in his modest house at what is called Mafia Quarters, Yola. It is the ambition of every Muslim to die while reciting the kalimatu-shahada, or the declaration of Faith, which means, “I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah”. Witnesses have confirmed that Alhaji Abdulrahman Modibbo died while making that declaration. And on a Friday. Yes, he went to eternal sleep, or the state of unbroken rest, with the first and most fundamental pillar of Islam in his mouth. May Allah accept and cover him with rahmah, for bearing the name Abdulrahman-the servant of the giver of rahmah, and for reciting at the point of death, the significance of believing in the oneness of God, and the prophet hood of Muhammad, pbuh, ameen.
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“Whatever the people speak of the dead body so be it”. – Prophet Muhammad SAW.
Going by the above submission of the Prophet of Islam, and the public testimonies of the people on the life and times of late Alhaji Abdulrahman Modibbo, one can say the hereafter is indeed better to him now, than the life he left behind. I was moved to tears, by the testimonies of one Baba Usman. I hope I got the name right, who kept narrating to me in tears also, the pious and exemplary life lived by the late Abdurrahman Modibbo. I don’t know in what capacity he served under him, but he painted the picture of a near perfect person. And Baba Usman is just one out of many, that had cause to interact with Baba Rector.
On a flight one night, abode Ethiopian Airways, I had cause to interact with the former Governor of Adamawa state, Mohammed Umaru Jibrilla Bindo, and our discussion swayed to the man, Abdulrahman Modibbo. He said Bala, we are in laws, because my brother once married his daughter, but that aside, in the whole of Adamawa state, as things stand today, there is no one that doesn’t give special respect to him. He was a teacher, a permanent secretary, an administrator, a Rector and the chairman of the Adamawa State Revenue Agency, or something like that. I cant remember. I’ve forgotten the name of the agency, but His Excellency Bindo said they were renewing the appointment for him continuously, until he came in person, to plead with me to stop the renewal, and try other hands.
If integrity were to come with another name, methinks, the dictionary would call it Abdulrahman Modibbo. If worthy life is defined by purpose, contribution, and character, then the life lived by Abdulrahman Modibbo was a worthy life. If the key theme of life is living for others, and the continuous self-improvement of others, rather than material wealth or status, then late Abdulrahman Modibbo had a key theme of life. According to the German-born theoretical physicist, Albert Einstein, “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile”.
In his tribute, one of the grandchildren of the late Abdurrahman Modibbo, Sadiq Waziri wrote, and I quote:
“A Tribute to My Grandfather: Abdurrahman Modibbo Girei, (1940–2026)
Alhaji Abdurrahman Modibbo, was more than just the leader of our family. He was our guide, our teacher, and our source of strength. He was born in 1940 and led a life of discipline, humility, and a strong dedication to education and community development.
He lived a life full of greatness and honesty, he did a fantastic job as Rector of Federal Polytechnic Mubi, where he changed the lives of many students and staff. He left behind a legacy of academic advancement and institutional growth. Recently, he was the Chairman of AGGA Islamic Center.
He left behind a lovely wife who was always by his side. He also left behind eight children, a beloved grandfather of forty-one grandchildren, and a blessed great-grandfather of twenty-four great-grandchildren. His prayers, efforts, and advice will continue to have positive impact on us. May Allah (SWT) forgive his shortcomings, reward his kind deeds, grant him Aljannatul Firdaus. Baba Rector. Your legacy will live on Inshaa Allah.”
As Baba Rector solemnly sleeps, may Allah forgive his sins. May Allah have mercy on him. May Allah bless what he left behind. And may Allah expand his grave with light. Ameen.
ABDULRAHMAN MODIBBO: THE ASLEEP AND ADORED ADMINISTRATOR OF ADAMAWA
