Remembering Alhaji Ahmed Shehu Okekere

Alhaji Okerere lived an exemplary life, fondly called ‘Alhaji Kaduna’ by many. He was disciplined, cheerful, humble and generous. Though blunt, he was respectful. Thank God for the exemplary life he lived, which would be remembered by all. Many received the news of his death with shock because he up and about a day to his death. Despite his old age, the man was still agile, strong and intelligent. Though he went through a brief illness, no-one ever thought death would strike at the time. He even walked by himself to the car while going to the hospital and was better when he returned.
But Alhaji Okekere answered the call from God on Sunday, October 20th, 2013. Death is an inevitable phenomenon which happens anytime irrespective of one’s condition. In sickness or in good health and at any age. It is sad that we never had the chance to bid him deserved farewell. He was born on February 5, 1925 in Ilorin to the family of Mohammed Sambo. He attended Quranic and Islamic Studies for 10 years and started his western education at Pakata Elementary School from 1935 to 1939 and Middle School Ilorin between 1940 and 1942. He furthered his education at Kaduna College (Barewa), which was the only Secondary School in the Northern region then between 1943 and 1946 and proceeded to the Institute of Administration Congo, Zaria and now Ahmadu Bello University Zaria in 1947 where he had his Diploma in Accountancy.
Due to his diligence and intelligence while in secondary school, when Colonial Audit needed staff, Barewa College recommended him as a worthy person who would work effectively with them. Through that, Alhaji Shehu Okekere was opportune to be the first Northerner to join the Colonial Audit Department based in Kano which catered for Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, parts of Niger, and Borno Provinces. He started his working career in April 20th, 1949.
In 1959, he joined Kaduna Audit to cater for Government Account and later transferred his services to Premier’s office. During his period at the Department, he was in charge of payment of salaries and allowance of the Premier and all Northern Ministers, including Committees and Commissions, which included House of Chiefs and Northern Emirs and later became Private Secretary to the Minister of Information, the position he held until 1963. He was transferred to Federal Ministry of Labour (National Province Fund Department) in 1964; and was one of the first eight Trained Inspectors on National Province Fund System.
In his quest for more knowledge, he travelled to Newcastle, London, for training in Accounting Journal in 1969. After the in-house training, he was posted to Kano to take charge of Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto and parts of Maiduguri rendering services till 1976 when he was also moved to Jos, a zonal office to cater for Adamawa, Benue, Plateau and Bauchi State. He still sought for more knowledge then later did another course on Administration at Liverpool in 1977.
Alhaji Okekere was later transferred to Lagos, where he was promoted to the post of Deputy Director Operational Service (DDOS) the position he held until his retirement in December 1985. He received state, national and international awards. With the great values of his personality, in 1987, he was recommended by Ajikobi Development Association to vie for the post of Local Government Council Chairman of the whole Ilorin which he won under NRC party. He became the Chief Imam of Okubiyi mosque in 1989 the position he held until his death.
He was survived by three wives and several children including Alhaja Salmota, Engr. Mohammed Sambo, Alhaja Rabiat, Mr. Abdul Yekeen, Alhaja Rodhiat, Mr. Usman, Engr. Ilyas, Alhaja Sidikat, Fatimah, Kudirat, Rabiu, Wasilah, Habeeb, Risikat, Hajarat, Sikirat, Muslimah, Safurah and Shifau Shehu. May Allah grant him rahma, Ameen.
Shehu wrote in from Ilorin, Kwara State.