Saidu and I met in Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. We were both studying English Language. I was a year ahead of him.
There was a tradition among all Ebira students of the department to graduate either top of the class or make sure to graduate with a minimum of a second class upper degree. After Adayi Abdulaziz the responsibility of keeping that flag flying fell on me. There were just two of us, Ebiras in my class – late Samaila Yakubu and I. Samaila was on Niger state scholarship so preferred not to come out openly as an Ebira.
After my first semester examinations I had no Ebira younger colleague to pass on copies of my class notes and test scripts to as a way of helping out. During my second semester examinations I saw Saidu Yahaya and casually asked him if he knew of any Year 1 Ebira student in the English department that I could share my notes with. ‘See me here! I am the one you’re looking for. You do not know we are in the same department? But I greet you everyday thinking you know I’m your younger brother in the same department’ he said, of course in Ebira language.
That was how we developed a stronger brotherly relationship. He came to my hostel room and took away all the notes, including the ones I did not want to part with at that time. He insisted that I had memorised everything in them so would not need them. Of course we both laughed that off casually.
Our relationship blossomed to the point that he would wait for me to finish my examinations and ‘collect’ my question paper either to make a photocopy of it for himself – if there were others waiting for it too, or leave with it.
Three odd years after he graduated and was in search of a job he visited me in my office at The Leadership where I was an Associate Editor and Head, Special Projects. There were only openings for freelance adverts canvassers at that time and I was able to get him in. He had a target and we worked on his plan to attaining it.
Months after, he came to tell me he had started work as a lecturer in the weekend programme of the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa and would not be able to do two jobs in two widely separated places at the same time. I joked about how he was running two academic programmes while we were in school – one in Sokoto State Polytechnic and one in Usmanu Danfodiyo University at the same time, and he was never overwhelmed. He dropped the identification letter the company had issued to him but he kept visiting me at home or in the office, once in a while.
As one brother to another, one day he called me and told me angrily that he needed to talk to me. He came to my office and opened up that he was very unhappy and bitter that diapers could not be reused despite their cost. He wondered why something like that would be a single use apparel. We closed from work together that day – I had encouraged him to wait, despite the long distance he had to cover between Abuja and Nasarawa, and I took him to the popular Sahad Stores in Garki 2, Abuja. I bought a big pack of 100 pieces of the diapers for him. While in the car I told him to calculate the cost of smaller pieces that would make up the quantity in the 100 pieces pack. He agreed that the big pack was cheaper and he would consider that option as from then on. That was how we solved that challenge.
We shared so many other private, brotherly worries.
Saidu kept in touch. He visited me with his wife and children twice in my rented home and attended my son’s naming ceremony in my own built home. I also visited him after he built his house in Nasarawa. He told me how he met and married his second wife also. I already knew how he met his first wife – our school mate.
Saidu once came to me insisting that I should not be wasting away at work, and that we should start a masters degree programme in English Language together at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi. I declined because I was supporting some family members through school at that time and couldn’t ‘afford it’.I told him ‘for now, what I need is money’. More so, unlike in the academia or civil service, to excel in journalism didn’t depend on a higher degree. What was needed was professional instincts, ability to write well and acumen.
After his masters degree he called to inform me and reminded me that all is not about chasing money. He believed I could do it.
A few years later Saidu called to tell me he had completed his doctorate thesis. He lamented my not pursuing a higher degree. I was happy and wished for him the prefix of Professor.
I later learnt from him that he got a lecturing job at Federal University, Gusau during a whatsapp chat.
He had earlier paved the way for me to meet Eyozi Tonia for advertisements from Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa, for The Leadership. She gave me several advertisements.
Saidu was very hardworking and loved intellectual engagements.
He believed in planning for the future and not leaving his responsibilities unattended.
The last time we met, I was waiting to board any available vehicle at Nyanya in Abuja when he hailed me from across the highway. He spotted me while driving and parked to say hello. I remarked that he was becoming obese – like I was a few years before then, and reminded him of the consequences. He promised to do something about it and that I should ‘not worry’.
Saidu complained of chest pain at about 5pm on Monday, January 14th, closed from work at about 6pm and died before 10pm in Gusau.
Late Dr Saidu Yahaya Ojo who was a lecturer in the English and Literature department of Federal University, Gusau was buried at Damba cemetery in Gusau on Tuesday, 16th January, 2024.
Some deaths shock you to the marrow! This is one of such deaths.
May Allah grant my brother Aljannah Firdausi, guide and protect the orphans he left behind.
– Balogun, a media consultant writes from Abuja
