Goni Danjuma Muhammad: Spectacular lifestyle of a scholar who died at the age of 147, by Dr. Aminu Salihu Yakudima
Since ages, Borno State, Nigeria, where late Goni Danjuma Muhammad was domiciled and buried after death, had carved out a name for herself and defended it as a land of Islamic scholarship and history. A community known for its rich cultural heritage, imminent scholars, and people with longevity. Also, it is referred to it as home of peace and hospitality until in recent years when carnage, maiming, and arson became issues of serious concern during insurgency by deadly Boko Haram and ISWAP
However, this piece wasn’t aimed at an assessment of Borno State nor Nigeria or Africa on security architecture. It’s a tribute to a long-standing old Qur’anic teacher and a vast repository of knowledge, late Goni Danjuma Muhammad. We all know that insurgency in this region began long ago since the era of Sultan Rabeh, a self appointed King, who terrorised people, enforced taxes, and illegitimately dominated certain areas for sometimes.
Even now, insecurity is a challenge not only in the state but in all the Northern States of Nigeria. Insurgents of Boko Haram in collaboration with bandits and other terrorist organisations from
other sahel countries have infiltrated Northern Nigeria on sponsorship and protection of some unpatriotic elements and saboteurs who are enemies of Nigeria.
We have discussed issues of insecurity in my previous articles’ times without a number. This piece, therefore, is an attempt at the spectacular lifestyle of Goni Danjuma Muhammad with reminiscence of Islamic education in Borno State. Goni Danjuma passed away on the 24th of April, 2024, following a fatal motor accident on his way back to Maiduguri from Kano, Nigeria.
His demise at the age of 147 years stimulates serious discussion. Even though there was disagreement about his exact age, because few of his disciples, among them scholars, senior students, and biological children, including adopted ones, have an opposing position. The majority of them believed that Goni Danjuma was more than 147 years old.
The conflicting age, not withstanding, there were more to it than what meets the eye. Several fundamentals, such as good health, proper articulation, and the ability to walk a long distance at the said age, classified Goni Danjuma as extraordinary. Also, his clear vision, hearing ability, physical strength, eating habits, etc. gave Goni Danjuma a spectacular lifestyle and quality time before his death.
The mystery of his survival amidst excessive activities of Boko Haram in Borno State without an attack, injecting trauma, or putting stress on him was something to write home about. At that time, there had been reports of several victims and records of massive exodus of personalities, including scholars, elites, and critical stakeholders from Maiduguri and suburbs because of terror and anxiety. Many people relocated to FCT Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, etc, but Goni Danjuma, his family, and students stays put inspite of volatility and the crisis in Maiduguri
With figment of imagination from people about his age occasioned by the volume of activities conducted by him, there were many mysteries behind this erudite scholar. Perhaps Goni Danjuma Muhammad was the unofficial world’s oldest living human while he was alive. He was much older than a pan, Nigerian, Salihu Tanko Yakasai, who is 99 years old, and older than the legendary soccer player, late Pele’s 100 year old mother, Celeste Arantes
Goni Danjuma was even older than 112 years old Emilio, who was recently declared the oldest. Again, he was older than the current officially recognised person as the oldest in the world, Maria Branyas, age 117. Unfortunately, Goni Danjuma’s story had not been reported or published and circulated for the attention of international humanitarian organisations and federal government of Nigeria or Borno State government even after death. However, the governor of Borno State, professor Babagana Umara Zulum, had personally attended his funeral and extended some gestures to the family of the deceased.
On this premise, we prepared a profile after our first interview with Goni Danjuma last year. My partner, professor M.U. Itna of Saint Leo University, Florida, USA contacted Guinness World Records (GWR) for a review and favourable consideration of Goni Danjuma as the new Guinness Book of World Records title holder. Also, we jointly embarked on a special project to write a book about him. The project was ongoing before his sudden death. Professor Itna and I received a devastating blow by the news of passing away of this great scholar.
Other qualities worthy of mention about Goni Danjuma, apart from the age, as reflected in the book, underscore remarkable insightful tips to serve as guides to all and sundry. In view of his humbleness, he preferred to be called ‘Mallam’ instead of ‘Goni’, ‘Sheikh’ or ‘Saina.’ As hermit and a great scholar, he was, yet kept a low profile and was easygoing.
Goni Danjuma was hale and hearty before his demise. He had read and wrote copies of the Holy Qur’an without a single error and other manuscripts of numerous Arabic literature comfortably without using spectacles, which is very rare among scholars. His power of memorisation had been excellent. He had put in more than a century in learning and teaching of glorious Qur’an without venturing into a business or embarked on recess or gone on retirement. These and other exhibitions of skills speak the volume of a legendary and confirm the assertion that consistency, commitment, honesty, and passion are the hallmarks of greatness as exemplified by this scholar.
We further observe from our studies what actually enhanced human metabolism were the habit of keeping healthy as required medically and by exercising regularly. That was exactly the practice of Goni Danjuma in the beginning and the end of time. He walked out often round the suburbs of Maiduguri to maintain adequate fitness.
He had never been exposed to a luxury and ostentatious lifestyle, but he never used any means of mobility to ease his movements. He went to locations and destinations of mission on foot at all times. Goni Danjuma kept these practices and never compromised on them and was committed to the extent of refusing to own a personal car. Probably, reasons he worked round the clock like an energetic young man and travelled outside Maiduguri by road only when the need arises.
He belongs to the gifted, who learn very quickly and impart knowledge easily. Also, he underwent extracurricular activities in an exceptional manner. This does not mean to say Goni Danjuma was a superman, but he was an extraordinary human with emotional intelligence and high intellectual acumen. There was nothing that preoccupied Goni Danjuma except teaching students the methods of mastering the glorious Qur’an, being good Muslims, and inculcate noble character.
Goni Danjuma had no second address either. Therefore, he never had an investment of any kind or participated in politics. He had not opened and maintained a bank account in his or any other name. In fact, he had neither entered into a bank nor had an idea of the banking system in his lifetime. There was no exaggeration about the quality of Islamic education he imparted, the capacity of his deliverance and the attributes mentioned here.
May I, by this piece, register my heartfelt condolences and that of my immediate and extended family of ‘Yakudima and Alabe’ and my partner, professor M.U Itna to the entire members of Goni Danjuma Muhammad’s family. His fellow scholars, students, friends, associates, neighbours, and the Borno State government. May Allah SWT forgive the shortcomings of Goni Danjuma, have mercy on his soul, rest in peace, and the departed ones. May Allah SWT grant him Aljannah Firdausi as the final abode.
Adieu Goni Danjuma Muhammad.
11-02-25.
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