TECHDIGEST – The Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Professor Isah Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has condoled with the Publisher of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential, Malam Yushau A. Shuaib, over the recent demise of his father, Imam Abdulhameed Shuaib Agaka.

In a condolence letter he personally signed, Professor Pantami said the venerated and renowned Islamic scholar lived a life worthy of emulation.

He, therefore, prayed to Allah to grant his soul Aljannah Firdaus.

“I write to express my deepest condolence to you over the passing of your beloved father. Indeed, to Allah (SWT) belongs what He takes and to Him belongs what He gives, and there is a set time by Him for everything. I share in grief with you at this moment over this colossal loss.

“I pray to the Almighty Allah to endow you and your family with patience and magnify your reward, make perfect your bereavement, and forgive your dear father. I understand how deep and profound the impact of this loss is to you and your family.” Pantami wrote in the letter.

The Director-General, Bureau of Public Service Reforms, (BPSR), Mr. Dasuki Arabi, in a courtesy visit, also commiserated with the Publisher over the death of celebrated scholar.

Arabi noted that death is an unavoidable journey for all mortals and therefore enjoined Malam Yushau to accept this loss in good faith, while praying the Almighty Allah to forgive his sins and grant him paradise.

Members of BUK 92 Class on Condolence Visit to PRNigeria Publisher, Yushau AS. Shuaib in Abuja.

Similarly, the Controller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCoS), Halliru Nababa, has also condoled with Malam Yushau Shuaib over this irreparable loss.

In a letter addressed to the Publisher, Nababa wrote: “On behalf of myself, my family, Officers and Men of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), I wish to commiserate with you and members of your family over the death of your father, Imam Abdulhameed Shuaib Agaka, PhD.”

He added that: “We are deeply saddened by his demise, owing to his numerous contributions to nation-building as a scholar, religious and community leader.”

Nababa also noted that the late Imam has left behind an enduring legacy by virtue of his teachings and lifestyle, which will continue to impact many lives.

In the same vein, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, also expressed his shock and equally offered his condolence over the demise of Imam Agaka.

The message was contained in a letter transmitted to Mallam Shuaib, which was signed by the NAF Spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, on behalf of the CAS Amao.

The letter reads in part; “The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, and the entire personnel of the Nigerian Air Force received with shock and sadness the news of the demise of your beloved father, late Imam Abdulhameed Agaka.

“We can only imagine how much pain, sorrow and grief his departure has caused you and the family members. However, in situations of this nature, you should allow Almighty Allah to be your strength and comfort.”

Similarly, a delegation of the forum of 1992 Graduate of Bayero University Kano (BUK) paid a condolence visit to the PRNigeria Publisher in Abuja.

It would be recalled that the late Dr Shuaib Agaka, 77, a renowned Islamic scholar with a PhD in Quranic Morphology and Arabic Grammar passed away on Saturday, June 04, 2022, after a brief illness at a medical facility in Ilorin Emirate of Kwara State.

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TECHDIGEST – The Director, Army Public Relations, DAPR, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, has formally condoled with the Publisher of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential Magazine, Mal. Yushau Shuaib, over the loss of his father, Imam Abdulhameed Agaka.

This is just as the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, through the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, also commiserated with the PRNigeria Editor-in-Chief over Sheikh Agaka’s death.

The prominent Islamic scholar and Chief Imam of Agaka Community in Ilorin Emirate of Kwara State, died at a private hospital, after a brief illness, early this month. He was 77.

READ ALSO:Imam Abdulhameed Agaka: Legends Don’t Die …

Nwachukwu, offered his condolence when he led a delegation of army officers to visit Mr. Shuaib, at his PRNigeria Head Office in Abuja.

The Army Spokesperson, expressed shock over the demise of Sheikh Abdulhameed Agaka.

He described the loss of the father of PRNigeria publisher as a ‘monumental tragedy’ that must have brought huge emotional trauma and pain to his immediate family, friends, the people of Agaka town and even Kwara State.

He however, urged his host, Alh. Shuaib, to take solace in the reality that his departed father lived a fulfilled and accomplished life, worthy of emulation.

Gen. Nwachukwu, while also offering the condolences and greetings of the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt. Gen. Faruq Yahaya, during the visit, applauded the efforts of PRNigeria in positively projecting the image of the Nigerian army and military, in general.

“We appreciate all what your PRNigeria has been doing for the Nigerian army. And the army, in return, sees you as a partner in progress,” he said.

In a letter of condolence signed by CSP Adejobi, the IGP, Mr. Alkali Baba, assured Mall. Yushau Shuaib that the Nigeria Police Force stands by him and his family at this period of grief.

He prayed that Sheikh Agaka’s soul rests in peace, and may Jannatul Firdaus be his final abode.

“He left when the country needed him the most as a key propagator of religious tolerance. He had made his mark in impacting knowledge of tolerance between and among people he had come in contact with in the course of his ministry,” IGP Baba said.

By PRNigeria

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TECHDIGEST – It was the moment I lost my beloved motherly father and brotherly friend, my dad, Imam Abdulhameed Shuaib Agaka (PhD).

I had arrived Ilorin on Friday and met him at a private hospital where he had been admitted for the treatment of malaria. I gently collected the prayer rosary from his fingers and held his hand gently, even if a bit tightly… He responded with a very brief smile, without uttering a word.

Inside me, I felt that his prayer over the past two years was about to be answered… But I refused to accept that it could come so soon. I recall that on his 75th birth in February 2020, he told me, as the eldest child and in the midst of my siblings, that we should be strong, as he would soon depart for the world beyond.

That encounter influenced my homage to him during my birthday on October 10, 2020, titled, “Imam Agaka: A Tribute To My Father”  https://yashuaib.com/2020/10/imam-shuaib-agaka/

While he prayed for his transition to occur, we prayed vehemently against it. We were not unmindful of the fact that he had been having a running battle with diabetes and hypertension. He was even advised to reduce his participation in public engagements, which was quite hectic, including his weekly Islamic radio programmes, sermons, advocacy visitations and other activities outside the house.

From that period in 2020, he had devoted more of his time to Quranic recitations, remembrance of the Almighty, and prayers… and nothing else.

As I held his hands tightly, praying, and with tears rolling down my face, I had a sudden recall of the circumstances of the year 1998, when he finally agreed to accept the title of Imam Agaka, a community with close proximity to the Emir of Ilorin’s palace.

Since he had made up his mind, we couldn’t stop him from leaving Kano, where he was fully established as a respected spiritual leader, Islamic preacher and Arabic scholar, even with a PhD in Arabic Morphology and Quranic Grammar from Bayero University Kano in 1992.

He voluntarily retired from the public service afterward and to start a new life in Ilorin.

His family compound in Agaka hosts one of the oldest Quran as well as Quranic centre in Ilorin, where members of the royal family, including the late mother of the current Emir Sulu-Gambari, learnt basic Islamic teachings.

Apart from his prayer to be buried close to the grave of his parents in Agaka, he had refused all appeals to travel outside the town in the last five years, not even for a visit to Abuja, for the fear that he could die far away from his preferred burial ground close to his parents.

We shared great moments together and he was always glad about his children’s accomplishments.

On May 26, when I told him about my plan to travel to Daar es Salaam in Tanzania for the annual African Public Relations Conference and Awards, he had urged me to return as soon as possible to Ilorin with the award, in order for him to bless it as he had always done on similar occasions in the past.

On my return, I received a message that he had a fever and had been admitted into a private hospital. Earlier on that Friday morning, I had packed the awards that I intended to present to him, as part of my most recent professional acknowledgements, which I was certain would cheer him up, and boarded a 40-minute flight to Ilorin. On arrival, I rushed to the hospital to see him. As mentioned earlier, he noted my presence by opening his eyes, but he could not talk.

As I collected the rosary of prayer beads from his hands, he was still using his fingers consciously in counting the Tasbiu (Muslim prayers). I clapped his hands and he responded with a brief smile.

At that moment, I pleaded with the Almighty Allah to kindly grant my father more time, so that he could counsel and pray for me as he usually did, at least for the last time. I wanted to experience his jokes, smile, prayers and embrace, even if for only one more moment.

I beseeched the Almighty to restrain the Angel of Death for another instant to allow me to present our latest publication and awards to him in a state of full consciousness.

With my eyes raised to the high heavens, I implored: “God, this man has devoted the last few years doing nothing else but just praying and praying and praying. Please spare him some moment so we can talk.”

I was at this and hardly knew when my sister and in-laws took me away for medical attention in a nearby health centre. I was thereafter checked into a hotel close to the hospital, to calm down, while sleeping away the stress and trauma.

I returned to the hospital the following morning to see him. He was sleeping and breathing normally, without being unconscious. By evening, however, the rhythm of his breathing had become a bit faster.

At 11.33 pm on that Saturday, his breathing stopped, and his prayers had been answered.

I momentarily became an adult ‘orphan’ and lapsed into deep grief. My thoughts were suffused with sadness, loneliness and an overwhelming sense of grief. I equally experienced fatigue, confusion and anxiety in heightened measures.

We were consoled by the kind words of many leaders and scholars, and even the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Sulu-Gambari whose exhortation reminded us of how Imam Agaka had positively impacted Arabic scholarship and Islamic teaching in the North.

It has now dawned on me how it really feels to lose a truly loved one.

My sincere apologies to all those whose calls I have been unable to pick or whose messages I am yet to respond to in the last week of a final caregiving leave in the honour of my late father. May we all find the fortitude to bear the deep losses that come with life when these come our ways, while still retaining the presence of mind to keep giving thanks to God despite everything.
Yushau A. Shuaib
Editor-in-Chief PRNigeria
Abuja
www.YAShuaib.com

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By Dahiru Lawal

“When paupers die, there are no comets seen, but even the heavens blaze forth the death Princes”

– Williams Shakespeare

When news of the passing of Sheikh Abdulhameed Agaka, the iconic father of a living legend, boss and father figure to a lot us, Alhaji Yushau Abdulhameed Shuiab, struck like thunder two nights ago, shock and belief took over everywhere. It is not that the announcer was a harbinger of fake news but when we share this space with extraordinary men, we get carried away by their greatness that we don’t want them to go and we don’t imagine them ever leaving the world stage.

Although Alhaji Shuaib, the celebrated publisher of PRNigeria, Economic Confidential and other titles, has a long standing tradition of always keeping his travel itinerary close to his chest simply because the man likes to excite people around him with pleasant surprises of his appearance and disappearance, it nonetheless felt odd when on Friday we all noticed his obvious absence. The office was not bubbling with his usual lively presence and nobody came to remind us it was time for Jumma’a service as usual, that was when it dawned on us that Alhaji has ‘sneaked away’ as usual. For me, it felt a little odd because being one of his close confidants and considering that we have just returned from Tanzania a couple of days ago where our firm, Image Merchant Promotions Limited (IMPR), bagged an African PR Award, even if he didn’t hint me directly, his moves would have dictated to me that an old habit that never dies is about to rear its head again.

So when on Saturday night, we heard that his father, the illustrious Sheikh Abdulhameed Agaka and an erudite Islamic scholar of Ilorin emirate who is the Chief Imam of Agaka, passed on at the age of 77 after a brief illness at Idera Hospital in Ilorin, I thought that was the why Alhaji’s sudden disappearance on Friday felt strange.

Many thoughts raced through my mind because “Ya Imamu,” as my boss fondly called his father, was a very lively, jovial and magnetic man who was so full of life. Though I never met him one on one, my encounter with him on phone has left an indelible mark that will remain with me till the end of time.

He is so charismatic and full of spirit that you can’t help but have a good time when you’re with him.

My first and only encounter with the late Imam was one fateful evening early last year when I strolled into Alhaji Shuaib’s office to rub minds with him as usual. I met Alhaji Shuaib behind his seat speaking heartily and glowingly to someone else at the other end. As Alhaji beckoned on me to take a seat, I kept hearing him hail, “Ya Imamu” that was when I guessed it could be the much talked about Imam Abdulhamid Agaka, Alhaji’s revered father.

They chatted and threw banters at each other while I held on. Amidst the conversation, Alhaji handed the phone to me after what I thought would have been an introduction of me to his father.

“Speak to Imam,” Alhaji said and I didn’t hesitate with my mindset cast on the thought that I was just meant to greet him and get acquainted with him in few minutes, but what followed was a moment of sacred indulgence money can’t buy.

After we had greeted and joked like buddies catching up on old times, he transitioned into a prayer session. There was virtually nothing I used to pray for that Imam Abdulhamid didn’t mention in that prayer. He went as far as praying for me for things I wanted but I didn’t know I wanted until he mentioned them. I was pleasantly surprised and all I could utter was “Ameen” in between each payer. It was a magnetic, deeply spiritual moment of very powerful devotion that took up to thirty minutes on the phone as Alhaji patiently waited and Alhamdulillah my life so far has been a manifestation of nothing short of all the prayers and well wishes “Ya Imamu” showered on me.

As he transits to glory, I can imagine how it feels for his family, friends and loved ones particularly my boss Alhaji Yushau Shuaib. I usually see the allure, the joy, the spark, the connection and reverence from a son to a father each time Alhaji speaks to or of his father, Sheikh Imam Abdulhameed Agaka.

I recalled when in October 2020 just a day after his birthday, he wrote a tribute on his father.

“Most tributes are written to eulogise the dead and not the living. I often ask the questions: Must our guardians and mentors die before we honour them by commending their outstanding qualities and exemplary lifestyle as enduring lessons? How sure are we that we would not leave before the demise of such beloved ones, as we constantly defer or procrastinate about giving honour and expressing appreciation when due?,” my boss wrote.

He quickly clarified to his readers in the next paragraph that his father, Imam Abdulhameed Shuaib Agaka, was very much alive and continued to play an outstanding role in his life.

“I sincerely can understand the deep sense of loss of those who have lost their parents; some too early in life,” he sympathised and that very line made a day like this cross my mind with apprehension but I found solace in the fact the Alhaji himself is a very strong man of faith.

Imam Abdulhameed was born into the family of Imam Shuaib Said, a renowned Quranic teacher and Islamic leader in Agaka.

The late Chief Imam of Agaka was educated at the School for Arabic Studies, SAS, in Kano before proceeding to Bayero University Kano, where he obtained a Ph.D in Quranic Morphology and Arabic Grammar.

The late erudite scholar was at various times the Head of Arabic Studies Departments at School for Arabic Studies, the Women Arabic Teachers College, Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies and many others.

Great men don’t die. They live forever in the hearts, minds and consciousness of their loved ones and all those who have been fortunate to encounter them. I am one of the lucky ones who encountered the late “Ya Imamu” and I will forever cherish his essential spiritual touch.

Like our editor RR said on the editorial platform, the man indeed “lived an extraordinary life with giant footprints evident in the great men and women he is leaving behind.”

May Allah grant his soul an eternal mercy. Ameen.

Dahiru is head of Investigations and Fact-Checking at PRNigeria

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TECHDIGEST – The publisher of PRNigeria, Yushau Shuaib has lost his dad, Sheikh Abdulhameed Agaka, at the age of 77.

Sheikh Abdulhameed , a prominent Islamic scholar and Chief Imam of Agaka Community in Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State, died at a private Hospital in Ilorin on Saturday night after a brief illness.

The funeral prayer of the erudite scholar would hold at 10.00am, on Sunday, at the family house, Agaka.

READ ALSO:PHOTOS: A Tribute to My Father, Imam Shuaib Agaka- YAShuaib

Imam Abdulhameed was born into the family of Imam Shuaib Said, a renowned Quranic teacher and Islamic leader in Agaka.

The late Chief Imam of Agaka was educated at the School for Arabic Studies, SAS, in Kano before proceeding to Bayero University Kano, where he obtained a Ph.D in Quranic Morphology and Arabic Grammar.

The late erudite scholar was at various times the Head of Arabic Studies Departments at School for Arabic Studies, the Women Arabic Teachers College, Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies and many others.

May Allah grant his soul an eternal mercy. Ameen.

The post PRNigeria Publisher Loses Father, Imam Abdulhameed Agaka appeared first on Tech Digest News.