Safi Jimba: My father left memoir, dressed in pilgrimage attire, wished to meet late wife – Daughter

BY AHMED AJIKOBI

Hajia Kuburat Jimba-Ibrahim, the first child of the late foremost Ilorin lawyer and National Pilot columnist, Alhaji Safi Jimba, said her father prepared for his death.
Jimba, who was until his death the Samaki of Ilorin died at his residence in Ilorin, last Tuesday at the age of 80.
Speaking with our reporter after the fidau of her father on Saturday at Jimba Compound, Ita Kure, Ilorin West local government, Hajia Ibrahim said actions of the prolific writer during his last hours on earth, showed that he had premonition of his death.
Recounting the deceased’s last moments, the daughter said, “On Monday night, I received his call around 10pm and he thanked me for the book I sent to him. While on the phone, he continued praying for me and my younger ones for taking good care of him. He said he was proud of us but I told him that we were only doing our responsibilities.
“Intermittently, he will say he was done with this world adding that he is ready to go and join his late wife. Jokingly, he will say he will deliver our messages to our late mother stating that after all he knew her before us. But each time he uttered such statement, we will urge him not to repeat it because he was the only one left for us and we will all laugh about it not knowing he meant his statement.
“On Tuesday around 6am, I called my younger brother to collect a book I wanted to read from my father. My brother surprisingly called me back telling me that daddy was not responding. I immediately dropped the call and asked my younger ones to meet me at the family house.
“On getting there, I met my father lying down as if he was sleeping well dressed in his pilgrimage cloth and he placed our late mother’s picture beside him and a rosary in his hand.
“I was informed that he has taken his bath and even done ablution and had also sent one of my younger ones to get him newspapers to read for the day.
“I cuddled him, calling him but no response. We called a medical doctor to check on him but he subsequently pronounced our father dead. ”
Speaking further, she said that the late Jimba, before his passing, wrote down all his achievements and on another note, he wrote ‘Alhamdulilah’.
She added that the creative writer would be missed for his love, care and advice among other things.
The Imam Imale of Ilorin, Abdulameen Abdullahi said the late Samaki was not only a great writer but the Imam of Ansarul Islam, Maiduguri.
Similarly, the Grand Mukadam of Ilorin, Sheikh Sulaiman Dan-Boronu called for prayers for the deceased, who he said led a good life.
Among the dignitaries that attended the fidau led by the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Soliu Mohammed, were; the Grand Khadi of Ilorin, Abdulqodir Ola, Saka Issau, SAN, the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of National Pilot newspaper, Alh. Billy Adedamola, the former chief press secretary to former governor of the state, Alh.  Mas’ud Adebimpe, Justice Abdullateef Kamaldeen and, Kehinde Eleja (SAN).