Life looked normal for many, including for the family of late Ishaya Mark Aku,on May 4,2002. They had woken up from sleep, full of life and energy, but never knew tragedy was lurking by the corner.
The young and dynamic Aku had an appointment to keep in Lagos, where the Super Eagles were billed to take on Harambe Stars of Kenya, in their last pre world Cup game before travelling out for 2002 Korea/Japan Mundial.The appointment turned out out to be one with death.
In this tribute by his press secretary Victor Iroele, the flight, EAS Airline, was to connect Kano from Jos before flying to Lagos. Unknown to the passengers, including Ishaya Mark Aku, his two aides, Nandom Dashe(PA) and Sunny(Police Orderly), it was a journey of no return, an appointment with death. A journey that has left untold hardship and pain in the hearts of their loved ones.
The plane did not make it to Lagos, as it crashed in Kano soon after take off and killing over 100 passengers, in one of highest tragic crashes in the country. Among those who lost their lives in that fatal crash was then Sports Minister, Ishaya Mark Aku, his two aides, Julie Useni , wife of Senator Jeremiah Useni among others.
When the news filtered into the National Stadium in Lagos, during the match,grave silence enveloped the arena. People were seen in twos and threes discussing in hushed tones the tragic incident. Many who could not bear the pain, quietly sneaked out of the stadium to mourn the dead, while some also gathered somewhere to pomp champagne because the ‘troubler ‘of their dirty deals was no more.
The night came in the morning for the Aku’ s family. This was a young man, amiable, fun-loving and unassuming cut in the prime of his youth, leaving behind his lovely young wife, Cecilia and equally very young children as the real victims of the cruelty of life.Life seriously can be unfair and wicked.
Aku had his dreams for his family and the country, especially in sports where he was supervising as the minister. He was a world bank consultant, as a water engineer, and had the dream of returning to his assignment after his service to the nation, give his family the best he can and probably pursue a doctoral degree in his field. Above all, he looked forward to returning to his normal life as an ordinary citizen, where he will escape the active lens of paparazzi and the hostage of his aides, who must shield him from living his normal ‘rural’ life.
The problems that had bedeviled Sports then, are still with us today. Lack of proper and adequate planning for major championships, racketeering of all shades, disregard for extant rules and processes, celebrating mediocrity and corruption.
Aku vowed to fight the cabal, who were swimming in this ocean of degeneracy to the detriment of the nation’s sporting potentials and growth. He started with a culture of discipline in the ministry, especially financial discipline and timeliness to work.
At the NFF, he directed the recruitment of a new management, as controversial as it was then, he never backed down. He resisted the overtures of ‘it is our turn now’ and even the opportunity to use Decree 101 to appoint any stooge as NFF Secretary General for pecuniary reasons. He wanted the best for the country and directed a consultant be used to avoid the usual ‘man know man’ occupation of our clime.
Taiwo Ogunjobi was the beneficiary of that exercise, even though people of his constituency felt betrayed as he sacrificed them for a Yoruba man, but that is Aku’s DNA. One thing you cannot take away from the late sports minister, love him or loathe him, he was not afraid to take decisions, if need be.
After the indiscipline exhibited at the 2002 Nations Cup in Mali by some players of the Super Eagles over ticket refund, Aku disbanded the team on return and appointed Festus Onigbinde as coach. Controversial as it was, there were some positives because from that decision came the rise of Vincent Enyeama and others.
Sixteen years after those efforts to enthrone best practices in our sports, can we say there has been any meaningful change from where Aku stopped? He died in the service to his country, but how much did the country appreciate his sacrifice,? Promises were made to the family at his death, but how many were fulfilled?
This was a young man filled with transformational zeal to better his country. He had no house in Abuja on his demise but the one he was building before he became a minister as against the norm today where ministers acquire houses few months after appointment.
Then President Obasanjo described him as towering above all ministers put together vis-a-vis his achievements in his one year in office. Regrettably, that was where it ended because the family never felt the impact of those words or received any support based on the promises of support to the wife and children till date.
We can only help this nation grow and develop when promises made are kept. We can only stem the tide of corruption when people are guaranteed of their future for selfless service to the nation, either in retirement or even in death. Aku died in active service, like many before him like Sam Okwaraji, we allow the labours of our heroes to be in vain.
As we remember Aku today, government can become responsible by fulfilling promises made to the family. If we keep records, the promises can be found and activated, but if we don’t keep records, as expected, knowing who we are, the wife is still alive to give the details.
This is one day I hate to remember and one of the days that humble me in total surrender to God for His mercies and love for me. The tears are flowing, Adieu Ishaya Mark Aku and all those, who died in that tragic EAS Airline that crashed in Kano. I remember you today like always with fond memories.
