Tributes have continued to pour in for the late Braimah Rabiu, who died on Tuesday, August 22, 2023.
Late Rabiu was buried at 1:15 pm at the Islamic Center 75th Masjid, Naperville, Illinois, USA, according to Islamic rites on Tuesday, August 22, 2023.
In a statement made available to LEADERSHIP, one of the children of the deceased, Dr. Kabir Rabiu, described his father as a retired Nigerian Army officer, who ventured into various businesses and sat on the boards of both government agencies and corporate organisations including the defunct Bacita Sugar Company, Muslim Pilgrims Board, amongst others.
“He was more than an example, he was an inspiration. He is survived by five children based in various parts of the world practicing Medicine, Engineering among others. His five siblings described him as a selfless and hardworking person,” he added.
Also speaking, Mrs Olanike Fadairo, eulogised her late father, saying he gave his children a headstart in life.
According to Fadairo, her father was a man of commitment to anything he believed in, saying he taught them to be kind to humanity and be courageous in life.
She said, “Our dad loved his family, he sacrificed so much to give us a headstart in life within the limitations of his understanding but his love was unquestioned.
“I still remember with nostalgia when he placed a whole newspaper advert to recruit lesson teachers for us and it paid off as the results are evident. I still remember a few words that eloquent Arabic teachers taught us.
“My father was a man of commitment to anything he did and his faith was not an exception. Yes, we have travelled as destiny ordered but I remember how he made us measure grains for Sallah zakat, lessons I still explain to some Muslim friends who have never heard of it.
“A friend once said to me, ‘You never do anything half measure’. Little did she know it was the spirit of commitment instilled by my father. He taught us by practising to be kind, love humanity, be courageous and above all be tough as he said because life is tough.
“We always called him daddy nothing else, he had no airs about him. He will be missed for his strong ways and belief. Adieu Daddy, rest in power.”
A consultant oncologist based in Ottawa Canada, Dr Amina Fatiregun, stated that her father was her hero.
“My father was my hero, a practical and kindhearted man. He was adventurous and full of optimistic faith, never backing down from any battle or challenge. I will always love and miss him.”
In his tribute, Ghaffar Rabiu, who is a photographer and creative entrepreneur, said his father during his lifetime was religious as he did not allow excitement to distract him from his religious obligations.
“I noticed Dad did not miss a single one of his five daily prayers, he did not allow the excitement to distract him from his religious obligations.
“Our father was a man who embodied the most profound qualities of the human spirit; strength, generosity, faith, love, and joy. Strength, the rock upon which his life was built as a retired officer of the Nigerian Army. In the face of life’s harshest storms, he stood unyielding, a pillar of unwavering resolve that guided us through our struggles, showing us what true resilience means.
“Memories of me building an electric lawn mower from scratch with him remind me every time to be resilient and always find solutions. Even though it took over a month to complete; we completed it. Generosity flowed from his very being. It wasn’t just the tangible gifts he gave but the boundless wellspring of kindness within him, a constant reminder of the beauty of selflessness that touched all who knew him. Upon completion and testing of the electric lawn mower, Dad made sure we built some more of the electric mower as gifts to neighbours and friends.
“His faith, an unshakable foundation. Dad’s devotion to his beliefs provided a steady light in a sometimes dark world, a light that illuminated our paths and reminded us of the power of unwavering belief. While building the electric lawn mower, I noticed Dad did not miss a single one of his five daily prayers, he did not allow the excitement to distract him from his religious obligations.”
Ghaffar further stated that his father’s memory will forever be etched in the hearts of the children due to how he trained and invested in them.
“Love and joy, inseparable from his essence. His love enveloped us, and his joy was the music of our lives. Every moment spent with him became a cherished memory, and his absence now leaves an ache that is hard to bear. The electric lawn mower project started because Dad wanted to make sure the compound was safe from reptiles for everyone, to ease the gardener’s job, and to teach me a lesson about putting others first.
On his part, Braimah Balogun Rabiu said, “We have not only lost a loving father, a devoted friend, but a lighthouse in the tempest of life. As we bid our farewells, let us remember the profound lessons he taught us; to be strong, to be kind, to have faith, and to cherish life’s fleeting joys. Dad’s memory will forever be etched in our hearts, a testament to a life that will bring tears and smiles in equal measure for years to come. Thank you, Dad.”
One of late Braimah’s friends, Alhaji Abdulaziz Sani, described him as a kind-hearted, generous and devoted Muslim.
He also eulogised him for being passionate about the education of his children.
“Alhaji Braimah Rabiu was a friend and a brother. He was a devoted practising Muslim. A humble and unassuming person. Very kind-hearted and generous. We used to take turns to convey Kabiru and Suleiman to and from NMS Zaria. This brought our two families together – a relationship that I continue to cherish till today.
“He was passionate about the education of the children. Kindly accept my condolence on his demise and pass the same to mummy and all the family. May Allah forgive his mistakes and grant him the highest grade of paradise.
“May Allah keep the family united in good health, peace, love, and prosperity,” Alh. Sani stated.
We’ve got the edge. Get real-time reports, breaking scoops, and exclusive angles delivered straight to your phone. Don’t settle for stale news. Join LEADERSHIP NEWS on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates →
Join Our WhatsApp Channel
