Ibrahim Jega: Farewell, hero of my time
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- Category: Comments
- Written by Dr. Abdullahi Dahiru
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The successful completion of my Interim Joint Matriculation Examination, IJMBE, at Kano State College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) in 1994 saw me out on the street searching for any Afribank branch in Kano to purchase a Direct Entry form that will enable me secure admission into the university in furtherance of my studies. It was in the sunny afternoon of that day that I walked into one of the Afribank offices not knowing that it was not a branch, but an extension of the bank’s area office. On entrance, I came across this tall, friendly-looking and gap-toothed gentleman. After exchanging pleasantries, I proceeded to explain my reason of being there. After listening to me attentively and with a kind of rapt attention I taught I never deserved, the gentleman with an appealing smile on his face which became his trade mark throughout his life, replied to me in the most humble and decent manner.
After some short and precise questioning regarding the school I attended and what I intended to study at the university, he brought out his complementary card, addressed it to one of his staff and directed me to go and present it to the branch manager of Afribank, Sabongari branch where my request will be attended to. Out of curiosity which forms part of human nature, I turned to look at the name on the card and saw Ibrahim Jega. This encounter was to mark the beginning of a fruitful partnership that will in later years be molded into a kinship relationship between this writer and the deceased. It also propelled me to consider, as another option, a career in the banking sector (destiny apart) after my graduation, thinking that all bankers are as modest as Ibrahim.
On arrival at Sabongari branch, the manager informed me that Ibrahim has called him and asked him to debit his (Ibrahim’s) account with the price of the form which was N500 then and hand over the form to me without collecting my money. This noble gesture that is rarely found in today’s northern elites took me by surprise and prompted me to quickly go back to his office and convey my sincere appreciation to him. He was not around when I came.
This DE form bought for me by Ibrahim was to become a priceless commodity as it fetched me two admissions; that is from my first and second choice university: Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and Bayero University, Kano respectively. I opted for the former, and graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in International Studies.
Two months after my National Youth Service, I secured an appointment with IMB International Bank, Bello Road, Kano (now Finbank). After a short stay at IMB which lasted barely one year, I sat and passed the aptitude test for employment into Afribank and was subsequently invited to attend an interview. As I entered the interview room, behold what my eyes saw! The face of that accommodating gentleman that bought me the DE form five years ago, the forms that fetched me admission into the university, the university that taught me and awarded me a certificate, the certificate that gave me the opportunity to decently struggle and earn a living. With humility, determination and self sacrifice written all over his face, Ibrahim Jega, Mustapha Umar and one other fellow put me into a session of questioning which lasted for fourty minutes. However, from the look on his face, I can see how glad Ibrahim was by seeing me (the product of his assistance) and the performance I put on during the interview. Then it dawn on me that for God to rejoin me with this humble servant of His at a critical and decisive point of my life, is not unconnected with a prospective destiny ordained and decreed to happen. It also dawn on me that in spite of my impressive performance, the presence of Ibrahim in the panel reassured my confidence of being an employee of Afribank. A month after, my thoughts were proven right.
As a banker, Ibrahim proved himself equal to the task. His personality and charismatic disposition made him stand tall to the seeing of everyone in the industry. He combined the composure and endurance of an operational banker, the strategy of a credit analyst and the determination and perseverance of a marketer, but above all, Ibrahim possessed an in depth knowledge of the entire system’s modus operandi which qualifies him a professional of outstanding recognition in his own right.
To the bereaved family which included an aged mother, siblings, wife and children: You have lost the physical body of Ibrahim, but the spiritual part of your son, brother, husband and father will forever remain useful and remembered. Your son was a pillar on whose shoulders so many where supported to stand on their feet. He was a shade that provided comfort to the passers by.
We love you Ibrahim while living and now in dead; and Iam sure you know that.
May Allah make Aljannah (paradise) your final resting place. Bye-bye Ibrahim. Bye-bye my hero. Rest in peace until we meet to part no more.
Mustapha Ringim, Afribank, Murtala square Kaduna, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Articles
Ibrahim Jega: Farewell, hero of my time
Category: Comments Written by Dr. Abdullahi Dahiru Hits: 36319
The successful completion of my Interim Joint Matriculation Examination, IJMBE, at Kano State College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) in 1994 saw me out on the street searching for any Afribank branch in Kano to purchase a Direct Entry form that will enable me secure admission into the university in furtherance of my studies. It was in the sunny afternoon of that day that I walked into one of the Afribank offices not knowing that it was not a branch, but an extension of the bank’s area office. On entrance, I came across this tall, friendly-looking and gap-toothed gentleman. After exchanging pleasantries, I proceeded to explain my reason of being there. After listening to me attentively and with a kind of rapt attention I taught I never deserved, the gentleman with an appealing smile on his face which became his trade mark throughout his life, replied to me in the most humble and decent manner.
After some short and precise questioning regarding the school I attended and what I intended to study at the university, he brought out his complementary card, addressed it to one of his staff and directed me to go and present it to the branch manager of Afribank, Sabongari branch where my request will be attended to. Out of curiosity which forms part of human nature, I turned to look at the name on the card and saw Ibrahim Jega. This encounter was to mark the beginning of a fruitful partnership that will in later years be molded into a kinship relationship between this writer and the deceased. It also propelled me to consider, as another option, a career in the banking sector (destiny apart) after my graduation, thinking that all bankers are as modest as Ibrahim.
On arrival at Sabongari branch, the manager informed me that Ibrahim has called him and asked him to debit his (Ibrahim’s) account with the price of the form which was N500 then and hand over the form to me without collecting my money. This noble gesture that is rarely found in today’s northern elites took me by surprise and prompted me to quickly go back to his office and convey my sincere appreciation to him. He was not around when I came.
This DE form bought for me by Ibrahim was to become a priceless commodity as it fetched me two admissions; that is from my first and second choice university: Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and Bayero University, Kano respectively. I opted for the former, and graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in International Studies.
Two months after my National Youth Service, I secured an appointment with IMB International Bank, Bello Road, Kano (now Finbank). After a short stay at IMB which lasted barely one year, I sat and passed the aptitude test for employment into Afribank and was subsequently invited to attend an interview. As I entered the interview room, behold what my eyes saw! The face of that accommodating gentleman that bought me the DE form five years ago, the forms that fetched me admission into the university, the university that taught me and awarded me a certificate, the certificate that gave me the opportunity to decently struggle and earn a living. With humility, determination and self sacrifice written all over his face, Ibrahim Jega, Mustapha Umar and one other fellow put me into a session of questioning which lasted for fourty minutes. However, from the look on his face, I can see how glad Ibrahim was by seeing me (the product of his assistance) and the performance I put on during the interview. Then it dawn on me that for God to rejoin me with this humble servant of His at a critical and decisive point of my life, is not unconnected with a prospective destiny ordained and decreed to happen. It also dawn on me that in spite of my impressive performance, the presence of Ibrahim in the panel reassured my confidence of being an employee of Afribank. A month after, my thoughts were proven right.
As a banker, Ibrahim proved himself equal to the task. His personality and charismatic disposition made him stand tall to the seeing of everyone in the industry. He combined the composure and endurance of an operational banker, the strategy of a credit analyst and the determination and perseverance of a marketer, but above all, Ibrahim possessed an in depth knowledge of the entire system’s modus operandi which qualifies him a professional of outstanding recognition in his own right.
To the bereaved family which included an aged mother, siblings, wife and children: You have lost the physical body of Ibrahim, but the spiritual part of your son, brother, husband and father will forever remain useful and remembered. Your son was a pillar on whose shoulders so many where supported to stand on their feet. He was a shade that provided comfort to the passers by.
We love you Ibrahim while living and now in dead; and Iam sure you know that.
May Allah make Aljannah (paradise) your final resting place. Bye-bye Ibrahim. Bye-bye my hero. Rest in peace until we meet to part no more.
Mustapha Ringim, Afribank, Murtala square Kaduna, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.