Engr. Nura Khalil

On October 17, eighteen years ago, that tragic, cold morning on the floor of the National Assembly, the cruel hand of death snatched you from our midst. Yet, for those of us who knew and loved you, the pain of your departure remains as sharp as ever, a testament to the colossal void your absence has created. You were not just a friend; you were a pillar, a father figure, and a part of our very souls.

I first met Dr. Aminu in 1980 at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, as wide-eyed freshers. He, in the Faculty of Medicine, and I, in Engineering, were brought together by the divine orchestration of our beloved brother, Dr. Abdullahi Mohammed (Superdoc). From that auspicious beginning, our relationship blossomed beyond mere friendship into an unbreakable bond of brotherhood, sealed and sanctified by our families.

I remember vividly a defining moment in Safana, when your father, the revered Baba Malam Shuaibu, summoned us to his ‘Turaka’. Holding my hand atop yours, he proclaimed with solemn authority, "Muhammadu Nura and you Muhammadu Aminu, I have today tied the knot of friendship and brotherhood between the two of you until death separates you, even if I am not alive." That sacred covenant, made under the blessing of a patriarch, defined the next 26 years of our lives. We were inseparable.

Your loyalty was legendary. You never passed Bakori without visiting my father. Whenever he was ill, you were his personal physician, attending to him with the devotion of a son, unless a specialist's care was needed. My father’s first question upon my visits was always about you, Dr. Aminu, and his face would light up with joy when I conveyed your greetings, a ritual I diligently performed.

Dr. Aminu was a man of the people. His heart was a wellspring of empathy for the common man. He felt the hopelessness of the downtrodden acutely, especially in matters of health, education, and food security, and he dedicated his life to alleviating their plight. His generosity knew no bounds; at the time of his death, he was single-handedly supporting more than twenty children of relations in universities at home and abroad, not to mention countless others from less privileged backgrounds.

As a leader, he was outspoken, an orator of note, and a fearless defender of truth. He would look power in the eye and speak the unvarnished truth with a courage that few possess, yet always with faith, respect, and decorum. He was a loyal and dependable ally who protected the dignity and integrity of his friends without mincing words or offering apology.

Paradoxically, this fearless public figure was, in private, endowed with the shyness of a child. I recall with fond amusement how he sought my counsel on how to approach the woman who would become his second wife, a junior sister of our mutual friend. I facilitated their meeting in my home, laughing at how this great orator was rendered speechless by a "little girl." That was the Aminu we cherished, strong yet gentle, formidable yet humble.

Your departure was a monumental loss to your family, your friends, the people of Katsina State, and indeed, Nigeria. You were a selfless, visionary, and empathetic leader who sacrificed all for the good of society.

As Muslims, we take solace in the divine decree: "Every soul shall taste death." We submit to the will of Allah the Almighty, praying sincerely that He continues to have mercy on you, forgives your shortcomings, and grants you the highest station in Al-Jannatul Firdaus. Amin.

May your noble soul continue to rest in perfect peace. Your legacy of service, loyalty, and compassion endures.