Guza: A Political Juggernaut Gone

Alhaji Muhammad Guza (1932-2017)
By Abdullahi Ibrahim Jalo

Yesterday the town of Potiskum was ravaged by the news of the sudden demise of Alhaji Muhammad Guza, an outstanding philantrophist, remarkable gentle, elder statesman, humanist and a father figure. As a person, i can’t speak highly enough of him.

Until his death, Alhaji Muhammad Guza 85 was the Waziri of potiskum, he died in Kano after a brief ilness, then moved to his hometown Potiskum where he was laid to rest. He is survived by 3 wives, 25 children and 155 grandchildren.
His funeral was attended by hundreds of thousands of people who bore testimony to his selfless service to community and humanity.
Also in attendance were Emirs, top government officials and the state Governor himself Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam who described him “as an elder statesman, distinguished community leader, politician and philanthropist who has touched the lives of many people not just in the Potiskum area but across the state”
Personally, his death was painful to me as he is a father to my friend Suleiman Guza, it also evoked memories of my father’s demise, taught me a great deal of lesson about life and the need for me to live a life full of legacy worthy of remembrance by all.
The mammoth number of crowd that attended the funeral prayer even made me to wonder if only those dead could wake up to see how much they are loved.
May his great soul rest in peace.