By Kabiru Inuwa
In a world where power often poisons perception and blinds the bearer, few leaders pause to ponder life’s inevitable truth death. Many in authority drift deep into delusion, dazzled by the fleeting glitter of worldly glamour, forgetting the final fate that awaits every soul. Yet, amid this tide of vanity and vaulting ambition, one leader stands singular and steadfast: Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State a man who understands that governance is not merely about building bridges and boulevards, but also about preparing for the bridge between this world and the next.
It is an ageless admonition that beyond the grandeur of government lies the grim stillness of the grave. Before the Hereafter comes the cemetery that silent station of waiting no one can escape. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) urged believers: “Visit the graves, for they remind you of the Hereafter.” Yet, how many truly heed this timeless truth? In today’s political climate, cemeteries scarcely feature in the calculus of development. For most leaders, the grave is a distant dot on the horizon a thought entertained only in the throes of personal tragedy.
But not Malam Dikko. Where others see only the throne, he sees the transient nature of time. Where others forget, he remains faithful in remembrance. It is no wonder he has often been seen, not merely dispatching condolences from the comfort of office, but physically present at funerals, praying over the departed. Who can forget the hauntingly humble moment when he shed tears at the burial of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari? In that poignant scene, it became painfully clear: this is no man numbed by privilege, but a leader deeply tethered to the essence of existence.
And now, he has gone further turning reflection into resolute, remarkable action. In a bold and unprecedented move, Governor Radda has disbursed ₦20 million each to all 34 local government councils in Katsina State as an initial phase to
rehabilitate and restore cemeteries. This is no headline-hunting, hollow gesture. It is a deeply symbolic step, speaking volumes about his values, vision, and veracity.
The real story is not the sum after all, budgets bloom and budgets wither. The real story is the mindset: a governor who grasps that dignity in death is as vital as dignity in life. As an old African proverb wisely whispers: “He who knows the worth of the kola nut sprinkles water on the raffia basket.” By investing in cemeteries, Malam Dikko is sprinkling water on the ultimate truth that life is brief, leadership is a trust, and power is a passing privilege.
Contrast this with the common course: many politicians remember the Hereafter only when hardship hounds them. But once the crown of power graces their head, they grow arrogant becoming like Pharaoh’s proud progeny, drunk on dominance and deaf to the dictates of destiny. Malam Dikko has chosen another path one that marries governance with godliness, blends development with dignity, and fuses leadership with lasting legacy.
In an era where politics too often panders to the next poll rather than the next generation, here is a man meditating beyond both thinking not just of the next election, but of the next destination. For Katsina, and for Nigeria, that is a lesson etched in eternal ink a truth worth remembering, repeating, and reflecting upon.
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