On Friday the 30th November 2012; literary hundreds were shocked by
the announcement of the death of Hajiya Zulaiha Muhammad Buhari, the
first daughter of the Former Head of State, General Muhammad Buhari
(Rtd). To anyone that knew or heard of her gentle soul, Zulaiha or
Magajiya (she was named after her paternal grandmother) as her loved
ones fondly called her, was the most humble and gentle human being you
could ever meet. An endless list of complimentary words cannot define
the incredible person that this astoundingly selfless lady was. She was
the pride of her family, the most obedient daughter, the most caring
mother any child could wish for, a devoted wife, a faithful friend and a
priceless asset to her community.
Zulaiha Muhammed Buhari was born on the 5th December 1972 to Muhammad
Buhari and Safinatu Buhari, now late.
She attended Nursery School in
the USA where her family was stationed at the time. She graduated from
Primary School in Air Force Military School in Lagos. Zulaiha began her
Secondary School in Queens College, Lagos and in 1985 she began her JS2
in Federal Government College, Kaduna where she graduated in 1990. She
was admitted as a student of B.Sc. Economics in Ahmadu Bello University,
Zaria, where she later completed her Post Graduate Diploma in
Management. She worked for a period of time for African Intercontinental
Bank (AIB). Zulaiha then proceeded to work with Ministry of Solid
Minerals And Steel in Kaduna; where she remained until her passing.
She founded the Hajiya Safinatu Buhari Foundation (HSB) in loving
memory of her late Mother Hajiya Safinatu Buhari who died of diabetes in
February 2006. The Foundation catered for the destitute that were
stricken by diabetes mellitus. She also served as the Treasurer of NIM
(Nigerian Institute of Management). In addition to these community
service obligations, she worked diligently yet silently on several other
NGO’s in her immediate community and beyond. Only those closest to her
knew of her battle with sickle –cell anemia, a condition that she lived
with bravery for she never succumbed to it until it so cruelly snatched
her away.
In Nigeria, annually, over 150,000 children are born with Sickle-
Cell disease. Over 100,000 of these children die annually. An estimated
5,000,000 Nigerians live with Sickle- Cell anemia. This is according to
the former Director for Institute for Medical Research and Training,
College of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan; where
Professor Adeyinka Falusi gave the statistics. Many Nigerians are
unaware that this country has the highest number of sickle cell patients
in the world yet the poorest health care and support for the helpless
patients.
Sickle- cell disease (SCD) or sickle- cell anaemia or drepanocytosis,
is an autosomal recessive genetic blood disorder with overdominance,
characterized by red blood cells that assume an abnormal, rigid, sickle
shape. Sickling decreases the cells’ flexibility and results in a risk
of various complications. The sickling occurs because of a mutation in
the hemoglobin gene. Life expectancy is automatically shortened. In
1994, in the US, the average life expectancy of persons with this
condition was estimated to be 42 years in males and 48 years in females,
but today due to sophisticated drugs and better management of the
condition, patients can live up to their 50’s and beyond. In Nigeria,
the statistics are obviously not as favorable. This disease can cause
several complications such as: overwhelming post- (auto) splenectomy
infection (OPSI), stroke, silent stroke (a stroke that causes no
immediate symptoms but is associated with damage to the brain), opioid
tolerance, acute papillary necrosis in the kidneys, leg ulcers,
consistent eye infections, high mortality risk during pregnancy,
gallstones, aseptic bone necrosis, malfunctioning of spleen, bacterial
bone infection, increased pressure on the pulmonary artery and high
blood pressure.
Sickle- cell disease occurs more commonly in people (or their
descendants) from parts of tropical and sub-tropical regions where
malaria is or was common. In areas where malaria is common, there is a
fitness benefit in carrying only a single sickle- cell gene (sickle cell
trait). People with only one of the two alleles of the sickle- cell
disease, while not totally resistant, are more tolerant to the infection
and will therefore show less severe symptoms when infected. It is
crucial to educate and enlighten parents with AS genotype in the risks
involved if a child may turn out to be of SS genotype. In much the same
way that we inherit blood type, hair color and texture, and other
physical traits; the sickle- cell gene is also inherited. If one parent
has sickle –cell anaemia (SS) and the other has sickle-cell trait then
there is 50% chance of a child having sickle- cell disease and a 50%
chance of a child’s having sickle- cell trait. When both parents have
sickle- cell trait, a child has a 25% chance of sickle- cell disease.
It is a wonder that a person living with this traumatic disease made
such a positive impact on the community as Zulaiha did. She was an
epitome of an unassuming lady, who lived her life with the humility and
simplicity unheard of for a former first daughter. My sister, Hadiza and
I, with tears of sorrow and a heavy heart recall the memorable
undergraduate days spent with Zulaiha in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
She had a humble nature, spirit of forgiveness, dedication in studies,
accommodation of friends and loved ones, her gift of a simplistic
character that drew her to everyone and endeared her in the eyes of all
that were privileged to be part of her life. Her soft- spoken voice and
beautiful smile were the perfect antidote for calming fiery tempers in
the dorm and class. To the best of anyone’s knowledge, Zulaiha never
raised her voice or lifted a finger to hurt anyone or anything around
her. “Yaya Babba” (fondly called by her sisters) had the gift of an
amazing spirit of living her life in the most exemplary way and this
served as a shining example to not only her peers but her loved ones at
home.
Hajiya Zulaiha Buhari is survived by her husband, Captain Junaid
Abdullahi, three wonderful children, Halima Junaid, Muhammad Buhari
Junaid and her precious new born baby girl. Her memory lives in the
hearts of her caring Father and Mother, beloved sisters and brother,
family and many friends. They should take much consolation in the fact
that very few people can be described with the wondrous revelation and
accolades that this dearest soul has been. No Father can be prouder of a
daughter with such an admirable spirit, no child can be prouder of a
Mother who transgressed beyond her illness to ensure they got the best
in life, no sister can be prouder of one who showed them the path of
dignified humility and no friend can be prouder of the legacy this
amazing soul has left behind.
No one can question the will of the Almighty, no one can comprehend
the torturous pain her family are going through, and for surely the
grief of even the silent tears are the most painful. But a woman that
lived her life in peace and goodness will surely be rewarded accordingly
in the hereafter.
It is said that a diamond is the rarest most precious gem, but in
Zulaiha Muhammed Buhari, the rarest and most precious of all has been
lost.
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