Tribute: The home return of two good women

By Katdapba Y Gobum

Late Susan (l), Late Zainab (r)

IT is not always that one is 'forced' to write about loved ones in the past. When you have to do so, there must be cogent reasons why they must be put on the spot. One of the reasons readers may be asking is: While they lived, did they impact on the lives of the people and communities they come from? Did they return home in a blaze of glory? Don't get it wrong: I am diminished in the death of any person, family or not.

They may or may not be difficult questions to ask, however, our probing is not to ask why God has returned them to himself; but just so that their lives can serve as guide to many who may have come in contact with them while they are (were) alive.

I have since discovered that those I have often written about them in the past have, in more ways than one been shining lights to the lives of others. They have helped shaped the destinies of more people than they ever thought they may have done while alive.

When you spend time taking a look at their lives, you are the more encouraged to help; for in doing so, you are also putting on track many who may not have known them to the point one has taken them to.
In the family homes of these two families, there has been an outpouring of grief, sadness; however, one thing stands out: There is a palpable sense of fulfillment that their loved ones walked this earth touching lives and their various communities, and beyond.

Many organizations, individuals and family members on a daily basis have walked in and out of the homes; some of them not believing what has happened, but have had to express their heart-felt condolences in official letters and personal visits.

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Such may have helped cushion their pains momentarily; as they often pay glowing tributes to the deceased; recalling what they did in the lives of individuals, of community members, church and society generally. Their loved ones will not return, yet, to be consoled they need the presence of others.
The two women, one by birth and the other by marriage are both from Kabwir in Kanke local government area of Plateau State. Both of them passed away in the same week at the age of 59 and 62 years respectively. God helping me, I shall endeavour to describe their lives in the way that best suits the description they are known for.

The painful passage of Isaac Wadak's PRO

You may not have known her. She was not loud, but I bet you, if you ever had met her before her passage on August 21, 2022 in Abuja after a battle with cancer, you would have fallen in love with her personality and character of her faith in God.

Her education at the famous Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria enabled her get a wider view of the world; which made her made impactful foray into the business. Those who came into contact with her instantly had a different from what they held before they met her.

Zainab Asabe Wadak was the matriarch of Isaac Gofub Wadak's family having been married on May 17, 1997. She worked in the background to stabilize the home front, in more ways than one; but particularly in raising a family that had a foundation rooted in Christ.

Zainab was his wife until August 21, 2022, when she was called home to rest, after battling ill health to get the best of treatment from the best of health institutions here and abroad for some time. At the point she knew that the pains were wearing her down, she had faith it was a lesson the Lord wanted her to learn as her family also.

Isaac Wadak, an accountant, former state chairman of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria and a former Permanent Secretary in the Plateau State civil service, their two sons, Abba and Zingak and family are in great pain for the loss of a woman who was always on her knees interceding on their behalf.

The pains may have been enormous, but the assurance that she lived a life well dedicated to the Master would diminish the sadness of the loss. It is evident in the deluge of testimonies at the service of songs held in her honour at the St Pirans Church on September 2 and her burial which was held the following day.
You may not have known what she meant to them until you have heard from the widower. Indeed, you would appreciate the pains of the loss when described by the man who has spent a significant number of years together.

Isaac remembers the efforts to keep her alive during the struggle traversing even foreign countries to be attended to. It was time to return to her maker; for even in the last communications between husband and wife, she had this to say: Don't weep for me, for I know where I am going'.

There cannot be anything more reassuring that for one at the point of death to console her family to stay strong for her. She had reason to know where she was going. One of the letters of condolence delivered to the Isaac Wadak family; which was instructive came from the Fulbe Christian Association in Nigeria (FULCAN).
A jewel, the association wrote, has been snatched from us, and whose absence can never be filled. Precious it is in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints, says the Psalmist. She was a full member, herself being a Fulani from Wusasa, Zaria.

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If you know Isaac Wadak and his late wife, Zainab, you would understand the degree of pain since her passage August 21. I have read some parts of the tributes by the husband, children, family and friends about the kind of woman she was while alive and the impact she made in their lives.

Don't throw away the fact that she is called Isaac Wadak's PRO. It is indeed instructive as it tells the story of a woman who stood in the gap for him, while checking on his agenda to know what activity he needed to attend. If he was not available for any, she stepped into his shoes and represented him well.
She was interred in a blaze of glory at her family compound on Gboko road, Jos after a funeral service at St Piran Anglican Church. She died at 59.

Yavala: The Commandant who worked for peace

I cannot remember how I got to know her that I closely associated with her, but I do know that we have come a long way. However, I recall that during my tenure as state Secretary of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Plateau State chapter, she served as the daughter of honor in a program initiated for the cause of peace, but basically because she was going to be given an award for the cause of peace in the state.

Starting from that year, our paths crossed regularly, while she served the nation in various states commands of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, I am aware she played roles that have become a reference point for me and many others; whose paths had crossed. Suzane Yavala had only recently been pulled out from the NSCDC having completed her tour of duty as Commandant in the NSCDC.

Ordinarily, anyone would have wanted her to enjoy her retirement and last longer serving humanity. This prayer is always said to any person who is returning to rest on completion of work with the government.

Today, sadly, however, I am writing on the woman of peace in the past. How sad could this be! Suzane Rotjimwa Yavala came to mother earth as the first child to Nde Sylvester Shwarji Walbe, who retired as a Permanent Secretary; while her mother, Magdalene Bunchini Walbe, retired also as Home Economist with the Plateau State Government.

If you ever knew her parents; being the strict disciplinarians that they were, together with her siblings, they were brought up in the best Christian tradition. Without a doubt, that tradition must have helped influence them all over the years.

Having studied at the University of Jos, her working career began with the Plateau State Government but she later transferred her service to the Federal Ministry of Interior, working with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps. She became the pioneer Commandant, Plateau State Command. Being the hard-working officer that she became over the years, her services were utilized in other commands such as Delta, and Akwa-Ibom in the same capacity.In the course of her service, Suzane Yavala served at the zonal headquarters of Makurdi and Bauchi. In 2020, she retired having paid her dues as a dutiful officer of the law and setting examples that have become reference points as the Commandant, Bauchi Command.

It was in the course of her coming to her own that the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Plateau State chapter under the chairmanship of Yakubu I Gomos observed the role she patriotically played in the aftermath of the 2001 crisis in Jos. She was honored by the Institute in 2004, as the NSCDC under her command in Plateau State was heavily involved in evacuating the dead as well as the injured to the hospitals and others to safer grounds for medical attention in case of the latter. This was not an easy task, by any stretch of imagination possible.

In 2015, recognition came knocking again. A prophet in her case is with honor with her people. That was why, having helped in securing employment opportunities for young men and women in the service, she came recommended for an award by her people.Those young men and women are today indebted to her. It is hoped that they will serve the nation the way and manner thalo they can leave her memory incandescent.She was buried on September 2, 2022, in Jos at age 62.

Gobum is the former Managing Editor of 'The Nigeria Standard', Jos.

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