Seven years without Mala Kachallah

And a few days later, I was informed that one of Mala Kachallah’s unrepentant fans, Gambo was found dead in his room.
A mixture of good and bad, so to say, but all these wove into one thing: a reminder that certain events still oscillate around the name of the man and he was still very much around. But it was also a wakeup call on me to start my annual ritual of writing to remember him. I consider it a thing of pride that I still mention the man, in spite of my failings to live up to his dreams . It also helps me tell the world that a rare gem was lost in the leadership roll call in Borno State.
In 2007; seven years ago; just a few days to the governorship elections, fate played a cruel trick, when death snatched my mentor, my father and my friend Mala Kachallah. Although no one wishes to die, the manner of Mala Kachallah’s exit was fulfilling to,   and those who admired him. This is against the background that  he would have been most pained to see how the state he so loved has degenerated to a battle ground.
 He died at a time there was still a semblance of dignity in leadership. He died when Borno, the state he loved with so much passion had not been convulsed in this senseless war of attrition, with brothers taking up arms against each other. Mala Kachallah died without a single enemy known to the world. He epitomized humility, peace and honesty. That the people of Borno still look back to his tenure with nostalgia, is a clear testimony of how he distinguished himself as a leader. Perhaps he was lucky, that some of the events of today did not find manifestation during his time. This brings to the fore one poser I raised before: how could Kachallah have handled the events of today, had they taken place during his time?
I will always remember that frozen smile on his face even in death, leaving no clues of where the pain was before he succumbed to death. To me, and those who saw him that fateful morning, that smile was an indication that he was pleased with himself and the legacy he left behind. Looking at the events of today, the man would have turned a million times over in his grave, seeing that  Borno has been experiencing a rapid decline of values, and the peace with which it was known for has taken flight. The land he so adore has been converted to killing fields and the children he planned to nurture as future leaders have taken up arms against their parents and other citizens.
The joy Kachallah left on the faces of people have given way to despair, and tears now wet our cheeks. We have cried to high heavens and to the spirits of our fore fathers for an end to this curse. I will always lament the plunder of his cherished values, seven years after he left the scene. If he were to be around, he may be tempted to ask, is it the failure of leadership or the signs of the end time, that, hitherto peaceful people have become violent, and life seems to have lost its value?
It is seven years already and many people are still discussing the passage of mala Kachallah, as if it happened only yesterday. The memories are still fresh with many, and very often, his days recur as a subject of discussions. For me in particular, whenever I look back at my days under his tutelage I recall with nostalgia, how losing one life meant a statewide tragedy. Although not physically around, he has won many disciples, many of who missed the opportunity of meeting him while alive.
My consolation has always been the mammoth crowd that turned out to bid Mala Kachallah farewell, in the choking heat of the April sun in 2007.   Many of them no longer remember the political differences of that era. All we remember today were his good works for the people of Borno state. We have seen the will and the zeal in subsequent leaders to return the state to that era of bliss. We have been part of the quest to put back the smiles on the faces of our people, but fate seems to be defining ours differently. It is my fervent prayers that the anniversary of Mala Kachallah will avail us the rendezvous to coalesce our interests for the general good.
 Last year, I lamented how every time I pass by the Gwange cemetery, I look in all directions, hopping that I will catch a glimpse of Kachallah’s tomb, even to lay a wreath, but have always been confused as it remains unmarked amongst the multitude of tombs at that mighty cemetery in Gwange. I have learnt to take solace in continual prayers for Allah to grant him Aljannah firdaus. I know that many people are praying today for the continued repose of his soul. May the mercies of God locate him even for being merciful to others.
Even those who did not quite admire him, it remains a fact that Mala Kachallah was a benefactor, a mentor and more importantly a role model to so many people. Even the worst ingrates, who enjoyed him most, but deserted him immediately he left office, still discuss him with reverence. The world to knows that Mala was loved for his simplicity, adored for his honesty, cherished for his humility and revered for his Godliness. Everybody who encountered him while he was around have something good to say of him.
In my last piece, which was a personal letter to Mala Kachallah, I said every time I look around, and see the reminders of his legacies, I withdraw and cry. Sometimes I call my son whom I named after him and take good look at him. Very often I wait for the year to come round so that I will outpour my venoms. It was a sort of protest over the lack of repentance of some of us. It is true that many have abandoned those things he stood for and adopted survivalist tendencies.
Now that another year has come round, it becomes compelling upon me to not only look back, but also advocate recourse to the virtues of peace which he stood for, so that Borno shall take its place as the home of peace. While we strive to make up for failing to meet his expectations, we must give peace a chance.
Bwala was the S A Media to the late Mala Kachallah.