Hausa literary icon, Kasagi, dies at 71

A Hausa literary icon, Umaru Danjuma Katsina, popularly known as Kasagi na Halima has died at the age of 71.

He died at the Federal Medical Centre Katsina in the early hours of Friday after a brief illness.

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He was buried at Sabuwar Unguwa Cemetery in accordance with Islamic rites after the funeral prayer which took place at his residence at Sabuwar Unguwa, Katsina.

His tomb, according to a grave digger, Malam Musa Ibrahim, was however dug two days prior to his death.

It was learnt that the grave was initially dug for a woman who was later taken to a different cemetery.

“We dug this grave two days ago when the family of a woman who passed away on Wednesday approached us with her measurement, but after digging, nobody returned, perhaps, they took her to another cemetery,” Ibrahim said.

During his lifetime, late Danjuma contributed to public awareness through drama and writings, where he wrote numerous Hausa drama scripts including the two famous scripts of ‘Kulba na Barna’ and ‘Turmin Danya’ which were published as books.

His brother and co-actor, Alhaji Najume (Idon Mujiya) described the death as a monumental loss.