A salute to the oracle of Ologba: Apart from Yakubu’s command of written English, he was noted for his truthfulness and courage. Though not noisome, he was known for speaking his mind without let or hindrance.
By Clem Baiye
Yakubu and I entered Government Secondary School, in January 1965. We were classmates up till December 1969 when we sat for the West African School Certificate which he passed in Grade One with me behind.
While at School, Yakubu was a mildly gregarious boy as we were all called boys. Our Head Boy in 1965 was Mohammed Lawan, later Senator Mohammed Girguri Lawan. Our School which began as a Middle School has since changed names so many times and will mark its Centenary next year.
Yakubu was not a difficult student. I do not remember him disobeying school rules until he caused an upset when he wrote an article on what disgusted him most about our school.
Rather than rustication or outright dismissal, Yakubu was called to join the school publication called The Chronicle, under the editorship of Isaac Yongo followed by Monisoye Afolabi. Yakubu later invited me to join the editorial board of The Chronicle.
Apart from Yakubu’s command of written English, he was noted for his truthfulness and courage. Though not noisome, he was known for speaking his mind without let or hindrance. He would have gone on to do the Higher School Certificate but could not afford the school fees.
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The Northern Region had been broken into twelve (12) states at the time and the free education policy could not be sustained by the newly created Kwara State. So my classmate moved to Ilorin, took up a clerical job and sat the London GCE, A Levels which he passed very well. He and I retained our friendship and we were later to work as reporters at the New Nigerian in Kaduna.
Yakubu, though a highly observant Muslim, was cosmopolitan in outlook. Over the years we have kept up with each other and just before his death, told me certain things, which had happened behind my back while he stood solidly behind me. No, I never had cause to doubt his sincere friendship but he took up my cause far more than he told me when the issues were joined.
I would never have expected less from him. His freestyle humour never affected his compassion, loyalty and empathy. He was not self-centered by any means. Rather, Yakubu fought for a just course, any just cause. Our school was justifiably called The Lion of the North and our motto was FAITH and COURAGE.
We all will exit this world at the time set for us by The One Eternal God, but while we remain on this side of eternity, we would do well to be consistently humble, helpful and supportive of our friends, colleagues and community.
On behalf of our Old Boys Association, we once more condole Yakubu’s wife, Hajia Rabi and family. As our school editor called him, “The Oracle of Ologba” has truly gone to rest.
Tribute by Mr. Clem Baiye, Yakubu Mohammed’s secondary school mate, colleague at the New Nigerian newspaper, media entrepreneur and human resource expert with significant banking and corporate experience, at the Newswatch 5th lecture series and tribute session for late Yakubu Mohammed in Lagos on April 30
