Many years ago, I served on an interfaith committee with Hajia Bilkisu Yusuf. Unhurried, cerebral and warm, she brought her high level of professionalism to the table in addition to her exceptional knowledge of Islam, Christianity and the Nigerian nation. A much admired woman, she remained a sister and a friend. As news filtered from Mecca about the tragedy that claimed 769 persons in the stampede Hajia Bilkisu’s name began to come up as a possible casualty.
As we always do when we are in denial, I shut my eyes and ears and hoped the story will go away. Sadly it did not and today we mourn one of us, an exceptional professional who gave her best to Nigerian journalism and whose name will remain a legacy to all journalists, particularly women in her exemplary dedication to her field and her nation. Adieu my friend and sister. May God grant you eternal repose Amen. The books I share with you today are in honour of a true and tested journalist. Hajia Bilkisu Yusuf.
1. Beyond Talent by John. C. Maxwell. This book shows clearly that talent is just the starting point for a successful impact in any organisation. It then goes to show other qualities including initiative, belief, focus, preparation and practice which sharpens your talent. Perseverance which sustains your talent and character which protects your talent. All qualities Hajia Bilkisu understood and lived by.
2. J. M. Coetzee and the life of writing by David Atwell. This book is about the South African 2003 Nobel laurette for literature J. M. Coetzee and his writings. This book is a worthy tribute to Hajia Bilkisu because she reminds me somewhat of the elusive South African writer. She was as public as she was private. Calm and a great listener, Hajia Bilkisu spoke with authority but was not by any stretch of the imagination a noisy person. Measured, graceful and insightful, a book on her life and her craft as this book about Coetzee’s life and works would have defined her for all who admire her. Her fans, colleagues and associates may want to consider such a book as we continue to grieve such a master of her craft as Hajia Bilkisu. Reading through J. M. Coetzee and the life of writing, it is clear that David Atwell took time to discern the works of this great writer by going through his notebooks, his drafts and manuscripts, showing us the fascinating way in which his famous novels developed sometimes through more than fifteen drafts. Was Hajia Bilkisu writing a book? As a mentor, social commentator and journalist par excellence if she was, it will be comforting to know.
3. You’ll get through this. Hope and Help for your turbulent times by Max Lucado. I am a fan of Max Lucado and a collector of his books. This one is particularly endearing for those going through turbulent times, as we are, in the face of the Mecca tragedy. I offer this to all of those who mourn our beloved Hajia Bilkisu Yusuf. The blurb says it all.
“God is in the business of redeeming the broken. He was then, He is still. Do you crave some hope for these tough times? Then this is the message you need. You’ll get through this, it won’t be painless, it won’t be quick, but God will use this for good…”
Let me share other comments in praise of You’ll get through this.
“We all encounter chapters in our personal stories when life doesn’t go as we imagined it would. In his classic style Max Lucado draws from the biblical story of Joseph to encourage us that we’ll get through it- and that God will redeem the hard times for His glory and purpose.”
Jim Daly, president, Focus on the Family
“Without doubt we are living in turbulent times. We long to know that our storms, trials, disappointments, and challenges have a purpose beyond our pain. In this book Max masterfully and compellingly shows us how our greatest trials and worst mistakes can be the launching pad into our destiny. Nothing is wasted. Don’t give up. You’ll get through this. I was riveted from the first word to the last.”
Christine Caine, founder, The A21 Campaign; and best-selling author, Undaunted
“In his new book You’ll Get Through This, Max offers much needed practical wisdom for those who are facing what seem like impossible obstacles. If you need comfort, encouragement, or hope, this book will reveal the faithfulness of God and give faith to believe that you’ll get through this.”
Craig Groeschel, Senior Pastor, LifeChurch.tv; and author, Alter Ego: Becoming Who God Says You Are Turning around the story of the biblical Joseph, Max Lucado guides us through staying strong and the meaning of hope. This is what Hajia Bilkisu will want us all to do “Stay strong”.
4. Because Hajia Bilkisu was a mentor and a role model, I present you the fourth book in this collection in tribute. How Children succeed by Paul Tough. The rider for this book is grit, curiosity and the hidden power of character, all attributes that defined the deceased and much more. In recommending this book I share in a number of positions by the author where he argues that beyond intelligence and high scores, qualities that matter more have to do with character; skills like perseverance, curiosity, optimism and self-control. Most of these qualities were well personified by our sister, Hajia Bilkisu. People magazine describes this book as a “persuasive wake up call.”
5. Past editions of Hajia Bilkisu’s column in the Sunday Trust will be a good read at this time to get a sense of her writing, to get a peek into what she stood for, how she helped others, how she believed in her nation and its people and how she continued to ply her trade until the very end.
The Trust Group might want to honour her by compiling her columns past and present into a book. I volunteer a title “Courage in Journalism, the writings of Bilkisu Yusuf.”
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