By Abubakar Imam
Whoever is thoughtful is always grateful -Yoruba saying
Introduction:
As all is set for the colourful celebration of the glorious exit from public service of an quintessential public servant and outstanding son of Pakata ,compatriots who know the relationship I share with Alhaji Muhammad Bello Oladimeji Hanafi,FCNA,FCTI, would be surprised, if not outrightly disappointed, if I do not offer my usual “menu” as his brothers,friends and compatriots under the platform of “Pakata Patriots”,Ilorin,a sociocultural organisation peopled by selected professionals of Pakata origin ,roll out the drum to celebrate his home coming today,Sunday,December 5,2021 at Pakata Multipurpose Hall,near the popular Ita-Uma Junction,Ilorin.
The retirement from service of Alhaji Hanafi, who is simply known as Ladi Giwa within and around the Pakata area of Ilorin, as the first substantive Director, Finance and Accounts (DFA), Court of Appeal, Federal Republic of Nigeria, was broken to me by no other person but himself. He and I had met at the Special Thanksgiving and Reception organised in honour of the immediate past Director, Finance and Treasury,Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund),Alhaji Idris Amosa Saidu, at his GRA, Ilorin Residence, on Saturday, October 2, 2021.
Impressed with what I saw on the solemn occasion, I had offered prayers to Allah towards enabling him (Alhaji Hanafi) round off his civil service career gloriously as his professional colleague and friend, Alhaji Saidu,did. After saying “Aamiin” to my prayers, he confided in yours sincerely that he had applied for voluntary retirement too. I was simultaneously perplexed and delighted on hearing his submission. I was perplexed because, despite my good wishes for him, I never thought that his retirement would come so soon. On the other hand, I was happy because I felt that it was becoming clearer that “Boda Ladi”, as my contemporaries around Pakata call him, would also retire gloriously despite the banana peels here and there.
A few days after the encounter, Alhaji Hanafi sent me a copy of his letter of request for voluntary retirement, which was addressed to the Secretary to the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC). He followed that letter up with a copy of another correspondence conveying the approval of his voluntary retirement from the service, which he joined eleven years earlier. Who am I to be given the privileges of seeing such letters? I asked myself repeatedly!
On deeper reflection, I realised that his “voluntary disengagement” must have been influenced by the similar heroic step taken by one of his heroes, Honourable Justice Muhammad Mustapha Adebayo Akanbi,CFR,(1932-2018),the third President of the Court of Appeal who served as the Chief Executive of the Appellate Court between 1992 and 1999.The late Wakili of Ilorin retired against the expectations of many who felt that he should have waited till his attainment of the mandatory age of retirement.
Justice Akanbi, chroniclers of history, would remember bowed-out of the judicial service gloriously in February, 1999 despite having close to four more years to serve. Is there a better time to quit than when ovation is loudest?
Since then, I “marked” the date of the commencement of his impending retirement and was praying that Almighty Allah grants us the privilege of living beyond the date to enable me join others in celebrating him. If I could celebrate patriots I had never met; why not someone from whom my family and I have benefitted generously in spite not sharing blood relationship! Hence, this!!
But in doing this, I contended a psychological challenge. Writing on a very close person always constitutes a serious challenge to a serious author. This is because of some reasons. A number of readers may see one’s effort as an exercise in adulation. It could also be dismissed as a mere flattery. Others who know such a person better may contend that the writer has not done enough justice to the subject.
Let me, however, say that I am ready to accept whatever blame(s) that comes my way from this effort as nothing done by me could equate what the subject of this piece did for me without expecting any reward in return; particularly at a time I was deliberately avoided,derided and stereotyped by many others! What do I even have to compensate a man who takes me like his blood brother?
Most of our compatriots from Pakata would confirm that I am very close to him. We have been very close for more than three decades. He is one of those “senior brothers” of mine who always wanted me to be around them despite the huge difference in age and experience between; his contemporaries and I. Was that not the reason why I was offered the membership of “Pakata Patriots”, Ilorin, a respected forum of selected professionals of Pakata origin,on a platter of gold and where I have remained the youngest member since 2004?
The subject of this piece has repeatedly shown so much love for who I am. He has told me many times that he appreciates what he calls; ” your courage and power of conviction in contributing to debates ;” usually provoked at the “Pakata Roundabout Assembly” to which he and I belong! I had joined the “Assembly” shortly after the conclusion of my West African School Certificate in 1988. At the Assembly peopled by many senior and respected compatriots,Alhaji Hanafi always prevented me from been bullied by his mates and even seniors. He would say “lets allow Toyin to talk. He is informed”. He would neither sent nor allowed others to send me on an errand that would make me miss “actions” or “momentous moments” of the unregulated plenary session of the “Assembly”. When I eventually secured admission to study Mass Communication at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1992 he was one of the happiest well-wishers who never denied me of periodic advice needed to succeed.
Who is Alhaji Hanafi Bello?
Alhaji Muhammad Bello Oladimeji Hanafi, a distinguished financial technocrat and outstanding public servant, was born in Ilorin on April 16, 1963. His father was Alhaji Hanafi AbdulGafar Ubandawaki (1903-1978); while his mother was Alhaja Kaliat Awero Hanafi Ubandawaki (d.1999). His beloved mother was a daughter to the Baba-Dudu Village, near Oke-Oyi, the headquarters of Moro Local Government Area. He is the youngest of his parents’ children and the only son of his late mother. He is a typical homeboy who was an expert in the weaving of Aso-Oke and someone who could finish two bales of “Eko-Tutu” with one “donkua”.Unlike many of his contemporaries, he neither enjoys playing nor watching football. To him,the two are close to wasting of precious times.
What about his paternal root?
Alhaji Hanafi hails from the famous Ubandawaki chieftaincy family of Pakata Area, Ilorin. His family, as from time immemorial, produced the traditional head of the Ubandawaki Ward in the Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State. He is, in fact, a cousin to the incumbent Alangua Ubandawaki Ward, Alhaji Baba Pakata, as the two shares the same paternal grandfather in Mallam Abdulgafar Haliru.Two of his paternal uncles succeeded each other as Alangua and they are; Alhaji Mahamood Akano Abdulgafar, who lived between 1899 and 1989 and served from 1976 to his death and Alhaji Saleeman Abdulgafar (1915-1990), who served between 1989 and 1990. His dad’s other half-brother was Mallam Yakub Abdulgafar,who lived between 1909 and 1988 and was the father to Mr Abdulwahab Yakub,a senior officer of the Nigerian Civil Defence and Security Corps.Other prominent members of the Ubandawaki Pakata family are Engr.Suleiman Oba Saleeman, who served as the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Kwara State, between 1985 and 1987; Alhaji AbdulAzeez Saleeman, who retired as a Deputy Director from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and; Alhaji Shehu Ibrahim Saleeman, a one time Deputy Provost (Academic), Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, who retired as a Chief Lecturer from the institution’s Department of Economics. Another prominent member of the family is Alhaji Sahid Kale Baba, the Deputy Director in-charge of Estate Management, University of Ilorin,and ,of course,the very humble Alhaji AbdulRahman Baba,a promising Estate Management professional, to mention a few.
Alhaji Hanafi through schools
Like other children of Ilorin of those days, young Ladi started off as a pupil in a traditional Quranic school at Onikahun Compound, Pakata, Ilorin. It was from that school that he acquired the skills of reading the Holy Quran. He was also nurtured with the basic knowledge of Islam, which accounted for his sublime personality and patriotic dispositions to issues. His mates at the Quranic school include many of his contemporaries, most especially his late half-brother-Akanni Hanafi (d.1976); and his cousins-Arc.Aliyu Oba Saleeman (d.2015); and Alhaji Issa Saleeman (d.2019); as well as Mr Garba Salman Dogo, a Deputy Commissioner of Police.
As he was pursuing his Qur’anic training, Alhaji Hanafi was enrolled as a pupil of the famous Barakat Primary School, Ilorin. He was trained at the school between 1970 and 1976. He graduated from the institution with the First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC). His mates at the Muslim mission school included all those earlier mentioned as well as Alhaji Yaqoob Mobolaji AbdulRasaq, the Chairman and Chief Executive of Yarab Communications, Lagos; Mallam Moshood Pakata, a retired top educational technocrat and Dr Abdulateef Bako. the Ag.Dean, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Ilorin.
As soon as he completed his primary education studies, Alhaji Hanafi proceeded to the Baptist Grammar School, Isanlu-Isin in the present-day Isin Local Government Area of Kwara State. He was trained at the Christian Mission School for his West African School Certificate (WASC) which he ran and successfully completed between 1976 and 1981.His mates at the institution included Mr Musa Ayinla(Olomitoro)who is works with the Lagos State Hospital Management Board and Alhaji Yinka Giwa,an high-ranking staff of the Kwara State Town Planning and Development Authority,Ilorin.
Despite the fact that his WASC was not enviable, this eminent son of Ilorin Emirate was determined to make it. He remedied his Ordinary Level qualifications, which precipitated his admission into the famous Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna, where he started his training in financial administration and management. He was trained at the institution from 1987 to 1988 at the end of which he was awarded Executive Grade Certificate in Accounts and Audit. He returned to the same institution for a Diploma programme in Public Accounting and Auditing, which he ran and accomplished between 1990 and 1992.
Alhaji Hanafi also received a Post-Graduate Diploma in Public Administration after completing a course of training between 1995 and 1996. He also earned a Certificate in Computer Science from the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin.
The need for a more practical training and certificate in Accounting and Auditing took him to the Nigerian College of Accountancy, Jos. He was trained at the College between 1998 and 1999 at the end of which he was admitted into the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN).
Determined not to limit his knowledge, Alhaji Hanafi proceeded to the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, where he ran and successfully accomplished his Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree between 1999 and 2000. He was also trained at the Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, from 2001 to 2004 at the end of which he was deservedly awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Alhaji Hanafi capped his educational qualifications with a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in Finance,which he ran between 2004 and 2006.
His working career
This distinguished patriot started his exciting career when he joined the Kwara State Civil Service as a Finance Clerk in the Office of the Auditor-General of the State from 1981 to 1993.
In December, 1993; Alhaji Hanafi joined the Kwara State College of Education (Technical), Lafiagi, as an Internal Auditor. He rose to the rank of the College Bursar in 2010.
Following his track record of service, outstanding credentials and fascinating performance in the recruitment exercise, this remarkable public servant was appointed as the Deputy Director, Finance and Accounts-Court of Appeal of Nigeria in 2010. In 2015, Alhaji Bello Hanafi made history when he became the first substantive Director and Head of Finance and Accounts of the Appellate Court through consistent diligence and integrity. He retired from the service of the Court and the Federal Government with effect from November 30,2021. Prior to his glorious retirement, Alhaji Hanafi had worked with three Presidents of the Court and one Ag.President. He started with the Honourable Justice Issa Ayo Salami, OFR,who facilitated his appointment He also worked with the Honourable Justice Zainab Adamu Bulkachuwa, OFR;Honourable Dalhatu Adamu; and the incumbent Honourable Justice Monica B. Dongban-Mensen and other distinguished members of the appellate bench including two of his senior Ilorin compatriots, Honourable Justice Mudashiru Nasiru Oniyangi and the Honourable Justice Ahmad Olanrewaju Belgore, for eleven unprecedented years.
His Exposure
Alhaji Hanafi,who has participated in many conferences and workshops,which sharpened his professional and administrative wherewithal, is an homeboy who,however, reasoned with global perspectives. He is also a well traveled gentleman. There is hardly any State of Nigeria that he has not visited. He has also been to many African countries. He has equally visited Saudi Arabia,United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Honours and awards
Alhaji Hanafi as a patriot, has received many honours and awards in the course of his stimulating career. He is a Fellow of the Certified National Accountants and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria. He is a also a winner of Merit Award conferred on him by the Pakata Area Development Association (PADA) and the “Pakata Patriots”, Ilorin. He is also a recipient of an award from Shaykh Murtala Alaaya Centre for Arabic and Islamic Studies, Mandi, Ilorin; among several others for his contributions to the development of his ancestral community.
Marital status
Alhaji Hanafi is married to two wives. His first wife is Alhaja Medinat Hanafi,who though was raised at Okebo in the Pakata axis of Ilorin, hails from Alakuko Compound, Agbaji Quarters, Ilorin. His second wife is Alhaja Zainab Lola Hanafi, a daughter to the distinguished Imam Imale family of Ilorin.
This foremost financial technocrat is also blessed with very successful and promising children. His first daughter and child is Hajiya Rukayat Funmilayo Sulyman,who is an high-ranking staff of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Headquarters, Abuja. Mr.Ahmed Hanafi-a graduate of the Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, is his eldest son. Other children of his are Mrs.Kafayah Hanafi Mumini; an high-ranking staff of the Zenith Bank Plc; and Mr.Shuaib Sola Hanafi, a distinguished Pharmacist; and, of course,Miss Balkeez Jummai Hanafi.
Relationship with Elders
Alhaji Hanafi has always enjoyed good relationships with several distinguished elders within and beyond Ilorin Emirate as he does with his contemporaries and younger elements.
He was particularly close to the late Honourable Justice Mustapha Adebayo Akanbi,CFR,(1932-2018),the third President of the Court of Appeal and pioneer Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC).He was also quite close to a former Commissioner for Education in Kwara State and the second Khalifa Adabiyinn,Shaykh Ahmad Olayiwola Kamaldeen Al-Adabiyy(1938-2020).He similarly enjoys wonderful patrimonial support from the Honourable Justice Issa Ayo Salami,OFR(b.1943)who served as the 5th President, Court of Appeal and the phenomenal Talba of Ilorin, Prof. Shuaibu Oba AbdulRaheem,OFR(b. 1947).He is equally close to the Alangua Ubandawaki,Alhaji Baba Pakata(b. 1937),Alhaji Amuda Yusuf Mahamood and Engr.Sulaiman Oba Saleeman(b. 1948),who always stand as his father.
Alhaji Hanafi’s personal attributes
Anybody who knows this patriot very well would not fail to observe exceptional piety and infectious humility in his personality. He is a also kindhearted and very caring personality with a very profound spirit of forgiveness. He is, indeed, a man of peace,who preaches unity,forgiveness, tolerance and cooperation at all times. He is a man who cannot hurt a fly.
His generousity is also very uncommon. He is a man who has the record of extending generousity to not just Imams and Alfas; but to his friends and contemporaries. Many widows and widowers as well as indigent students and many other less privileged individuals from allover Ilorin Emirate and beyond had enjoyed financial and material supports from him. Several Mosques and sociocultural organisations such as the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), Pakata Area Development Association (PADA), Pakata Patriots, Ilorin (PPI), Ilorin Emirate Youths Development Association (IEYDA) and the Pakata Youth Ambassadors(PYA) as well as the Ubandawaki Youth Development Association (UYDA) and of course, Ubandawaki Youth Forum (UYF) have at one time or the other benefitted from his generousity.
Alhaji Hanafi is also very friendly. He is a man who has high regard for the elderly, his contemporaries and even those below his age group. This rare patriot is also a man who dislikes having any form of conflict with anyone. Despite his professional breakthrough which earned him friendship from others, Alhaji Hanafi’s deep attachment to his roots is also astonishing and exemplary. His close friends remain those he grew up with.
Conclusion
It is incontrovertible that it is not Alhaji Hanafi who will first retire from public service! He is certainly not going to be the last!! Many retired before him and many would sooner or later join him in retirement. But all said and done, he is a man with a difference.
It must be said and without any modicum of adulation that the decision to celebrate him by his compatriots is informed by his fraternal dispositions to all. He is a man who utilises the privilege of his positions and influence to assist many others. Apart from those he offered financial assistance on consistent and periodic basis; Alhaji Hanafi also assisted not a few in securing employments and career progression here and there, most especially at the Court of Appeal and many other federal establishments. His assistance to admission seekers is also legendary as he also facilitated contracts for many others who are businessmen and women.
To me and many others, Alhaji Hanafi did not waste the privilege he was bestowed by the Almighty Allah. He is a man who made great impacts in the life of many others and in the progress of Pakata and in fact, Ilorin Emirate. For all these, Alhaji Hanafi Oladimeji is worthy of being celebrated. He has directly and indirectly taught his contemporaries and other coming behind what to do to become respected and respectable figures. He earned this celebration and many more that would continue to come his way as time progresses.
It is my prayers that as he retires from active service, Almighty Allah shall reward all his good deeds with goodness. May he also enjoy sound health, greater prosperity and peace. May he live long to reap the fruits of his labour far beyond his imagination. Aamiin.
Imam is National Publicity Secretary, Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union and Secretary, “Pakata Patriots”, Ilorin