Amidst outpouring of emotions, eulogies, and tributes, the remains of Late Hajiya Fatima Baru, mother of the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) were laid to rest in her hometown of Misau in Bauchi State on Friday.
Late Hajiya Fatima Baru, who passed on at the age of 102 on Thursday evening after a brief illness, was committed to mother earth shortly after the Muslim funeral rite – led by the Chief Imam of Misau, Malam Manu Mohammed – at the Misau Central Mosque,.
The deceased, popularly known by family members and relatives as Hajiya Umma, left behind five children and over fifty grandchildren.
Thousands of sympathizers thronged to the Misau Central Mosque where they prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul, after which she was interned at the Misau Cemetery amidst loud chorus of prayers.
From traditional rulers, captains of industry and top government functionaries to Misau indegenes, family friends, relatives and associates of the GMD, the funeral attracted a large turnout of sympathizers from far and near.
Among those sympathizers were the Emir of Misau, Alh. Ahmed Suleiman; Senator representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, Isa Hamma Misau and the Wakilin Bauchi, Hon. Yakubu Shehu, who represented the Emir of Bauchi, Alh. (Dr.) Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu.
Other dignitaries at the funeral were the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, Alh. Garba Baba Umar; the Director, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mr. Mordecai Ladan as well as a large delegation from the NNPC Top Management.
Speaking during a condolence visit on the GMD, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu commiserated with the entire Baru household, urging the GMD to particularly take solace in the fact that the deceased had lived a fulfilled life.
“It is my conviction that the GMD’s Mum is now at rest and happy. This is because she was able to raise a child that all Nigerians are very proud of,” Dr. Kachikwu stated.
He described his condolence visit to Misau as a home-coming having criss-crossed the area in his early years as a son of a Judge working in the North Eastern part of Nigeria.
Also speaking shortly after the burial, Sen. Isa Hamma Misau, who said he received the news of the deceased’s death with “shock”, described her as “a mother to all.”
“Indeed we have lost a mother. Hajiya Umma was a mother to all of us here in Misau. We will all miss her wise counsel, simplicity, discipline and friendly disposition. May Allah have mercy on her soul,” Sen. Misau added.
NNPC’s Chief Operating Officer, Upstream, Mallam Bello Rabiu, who spoke on behalf of NNPC Management after the burial commiserated with the GMD over the “irreparable loss.”
Describing death as “an inevitable path for all”, Mallam Rabiu also prayed to Almighty Allah to grant the deceased eternal rest in paradise.
Responding, Dr. Maikanti Baru thanked everyone for identifying with him in his trying time and prayed Allah to grant them safe trip back to their respective destinations.
