As I settled into my sitting room after a long day at work, my phone suddenly beeped, breaking the silence. I quickly reached for it, and my heart skipped a beat as I saw my brother Shariff Sadi's name on the screen. His call was brief and to the point, but the words he spoke left me reeling. Without any greeting, he called my name, paused, and then delivered the devastating news: "we've lost Dr. Abdulkadir Adamu." Shock, numbness, and confusion washed over me as I struggled to process the sudden loss. Almost instinctively, I recited the Qu'ranic verse, "Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un" (From Allah we are and to Him we shall return), three times, seeking solace in faith. I managed to stammer out a few questions; What happened? When? How? But my brother's response was brief and somber: "A brief illness." The call ended abruptly, leaving me to grapple with the news and its aftermath.

I was consumed by an overwhelming sense of grief, mourning and lamentations as if my heart had been shattered into a million pieces. Tears streamed down my face as I struggled to come to terms with the loss. The news had left me emotionally and psychologically disturbed, feeling like I'd been punched in the gut. Just a few days ago, I had spoken with Dr. Abdulkadir Adamu, and he was full of life, energy, and warmth. Now, he has gone. The pain was exacerbated by the fact that he was more than just a mentor, he was an integral part of my life's journey. His influence, guidance, and support had been instrumental in shaping me into the person I am today. My success story would be incomplete, even hollow, without acknowledging his profound impact on my life.

As I write this tribute, my heart swells with a mix of emotions; sadness, gratitude, and nostalgia. Dr. Abdulkadir Adamu, my mentor, role model, and brother, may be gone, but his indelible mark on my life and career remains. Like a guiding star, he illuminated my path, instilled in me the values of hard work, resilience, and compassion. His unwavering support, sage counsel, and generous spirit helped in shaping me.

My earliest memories of Dr. Abdulkadir Adamu date back to my childhood, when he frequent our family home, sharing laughter and stories with my elder brothers; Malam Mustapha, Alhaji Mukhtari, and Shariff Sadi. He was more than just a family friend, rather, a trusted confidant and mentor, who welcomed us children into his life with open arms. As I progressed to secondary school, I visit him every evening during vacations, eager to receive mathematics lessons from him at his friend's shop opposite NITEL. Those lessons not only helped me build a strong foundation in mathematics but also instilled in me a love for learning that has stayed with me to this day.

As I approached the end of my secondary school journey, I took the first step towards post-secondary education by purchasing a JAMB form. Eager to ensure everything was in order, I sought out Dr. Abdulkadir Adamu's guidance, requesting that he reviews my entries and provide an attestation. But he didn't wait for me to come to him, instead, he graciously visited our home one evening, asking me to bring out the form. As I handed it over, he meticulously reviewed each entry, making corrections where necessary and taking the time to explain the reasoning behind them. With a warm smile, he signed the attestation, and in that moment, he set me on the path to achieving my academic aspirations.

Dr. Abdulkadir Adamu's guidance and support extended throughout my undergraduate studies, as I regularly updated him on my progress. When I was mobilized for National Youth Service, he ensured my smooth transition by introducing me to his friend Baba Duddaye, who worked with NYSC in my posting state, to ensure that I lack nothing at the NYSC orientation camp and secure a favourable posting to Place of Primary Assignment. His kindness and care knew no bounds.

Dr. Abdulkadir Adamu's mentorship continued to shape my path even after completing my national service. He encouraged me to further my education and took proactive steps to support my career aspirations. I vividly remember him taking me to a cyber cafe to explore online resources and expand my knowledge. He also generously shared job openings with me, helping me navigate the job market.

One fateful Friday, his timely guidance altered the course of my career. He handed me a copy of the Daily Trust newspaper, highlighting a job advertisement that he believed I was ideal for. I applied, successfully passed the aptitude test and oral interview, and secured the position, a role I've held for nearly two decades now. I remain deeply grateful for his vision and mentorship, which have enabled me to thrive in my career. In fact, I previously acknowledged his impact in my article, "My Journey to Employment and Nigeria Today," published two years ago, where I referred to him in the opening paragraph.

Among my siblings, I was blessed to hold a special place in Dr. Abdulkadir Adamu's heart. He showed me extraordinary affection, trust, and confidence, often treating me like a peer despite our age and knowledge gaps. His unwavering faith in me inspired me to strive for excellence. I've learned invaluable lessons from him, and his lifestyle has profoundly shaped me into the person I am today. One of my greatest aspirations was to present my PhD certificate to him, fulfilling his long-held ambition for me. I had also hoped to attain a position of authority, enabling me to support his causes and reciprocate his kindness. Tragically, death had other plans, snatching him away from us without giving me the opportunity to repay his kindness and generosity.

He was a towering intellect, boasting an impressive blend of academic excellence, professional distinction, and personal charm. With his exceptional diligence, painstaking attention to detail, and eloquent communication style, he inspired and impacted countless lives. His academic credentials were equally impressive, having earned a degree in Pure Mathematics from the University of Maiduguri, a Master's in the same field from the University of Jos, and a PhD from a Malaysian university. Throughout his illustrious career at the Federal College of Education (Technical) Potiskum, he held various leadership positions, culminating in his role as Deputy Provost Administration. He is deeply missed by his loving wife, children, siblings, relations, friends, colleagues, students, neighbors, and acquaintances.

Dr. Abdulkadir Adamu's life was a testament to a fulfilling and accomplished existence, worthy of emulation. He left a mark, creating a lasting impact and proving his relevance. As he returns to his Creator, our prayers for the eternal repose of his soul will forever endure. May Allah comfort and provide for his family, granting them solace and sustenance in their time of grief. Dr. Abdulkadir will forever be my role model, and I will continue to follow in his footsteps until we meet again in the hereafter.

May I recite a prayer for him:

May Allah forgive his sins, have mercy on him, and grant him Jannah. May Allah count him among those that will attain the salvation of prophet Muhammad SAW and his progeny. May Allah comfort his family and loved ones, and provide them with strength and patience during this difficult time. Ameen.

If you come across this, please help me recite a prayer for him. Thank you.

Yusuf Lawan Nasidi writes from Hausawa Asibiti Ward, Potiskum Yobe State. He can be reached via nasidi30@gmail.com.