Remembering a gentleman called Ibrahim

He was a unique gentleman that never let the ambrosia of power to turn his head. While on earth, the late Ibrahim Abacha had built a tremendous good will for himself through his humility and his incredible compassion. He contradicted the notion that a friend in the corridors of power is a friend lost. Contrary to this notion, the late Alhaji Ibrahim had never distanced himself from old friends, classmates, schoolmates and neighbours.

Rarely do people in the corridors of power relate with old friends, let alone come close to them once they are intoxicated by power. However, the late Ibrahim was remarkably different. While he was alive, he brought his friends, schoolmates and many others ever closer and touched their lives in many different ways. Even among his immediate family members, Ibrahim was always the perfect gentleman who was always eager to strengthen unity and love among his siblings.

As a lawyer, the late Ibrahim behaved with dignity befitting his stature in society. He was a member of the first family that enjoyed tremendous public good will not because of his social status but because of his amazing commitment to humanity. He always shared the pain and suffering of others and was ever willing to lift the people out of distress.

Indeed, Ibrahim was a friend of humanity who brought pride to his family and friends. He left behind a rich memory full of love, affection and praises from millions of Nigerians who automatically developed administration for him without even ever knowing him previously. Nothing keeps your memory alive better than good deeds. It is not easy to be humble when you are close to power but the late Ibrahim did just that.

Another impressive feature in his personal attributes is his detribalized nature. He made friends throughout the nation, which cuts across ethnic and religious boundaries. In his social relations, he never pulled his rank; instead he dealt respectfully and humbly with everyone he ever related with.

Surely, these special qualities of the late Ibrahim were not lost on his late father General Sani Abacha, who treated him as a close confidant. The late General Abacha always took the late Ibrahim into confidence not only for his business acumen but also for his social relations skills. For a son to enjoy such tremendous affection of his father, mother, sisters and brothers, he must be extraordinarily special.

The emotional impact of Ibrahim’s death was so profound that his mother, Maryam had to travel temporarily to Saudi to engage in prayers and meditation and seek consolation in Alhaji’s divine favour. His death shattered them not only because of its suddenness but also the fact that it took him in his prime. But such is death, which, in the words of Shakespeare, steps with impartial foot at the doors of kings and ordinary people’s huts!

However, the greatest consolation to the family is the fact that the late Ibrahim had lived a humble life with a devotion to humanity. When we go before God, he will ask not how much money we had on earth but how much good we did. And to that extent, the family of Ibrahim, his friends, schools mates and associates will always be consoled by his remarkable virtues of kindness and humility.

Though Ibrahim is long gone, his memory will remain as constant as day and night. His good virtues are ever-shining beacon that will keep his memory alive. He was a young man with a large heart. He had everything going for him, yet he didn’t lose his head because of those privileges and good things of life.

Nwachukwu wrote in from Block 19, Dr. Michael Okpara Road, Umuahia