Modibbo Kawu
On a very rainy night of September 5th, all those decades ago, I was born at the Ilorin maternity hospital. It turned out that I am the only child of my parents that had the AA genotype.
The two boys after me and my last sister, died just a few years after they were born, because they carried the SS genotype, and suffered the sickle cell anemia.
Death, was therefore a strong presence, in our household, when I was growing up. My mother was a very strong woman, and she belonged to the earliest generation of women to go to school in Northern Nigeria. As a matter of fact, she was the pioneer presenter of the first women’s program on radio in Kwara State.
Yet, she lived a life of sorrow and grieving, because of the loss of three children, to the dreaded sickle cell disease.
Over these decades, I have experienced a lot: perched at the very highest pedestal of success, and being plunged, by fate, into the deepest valley of despair.
The past three years, from 2020, have been some of the most challenging, and most trying years of my life. I was arraigned in court; thrown out of a job; I became the object of a most vicious media trial, in which I was cast as a villain. I had my professional integrity, and personal honour, impugned!
All these on the basis of a patently false, but carefully orchestrated campaign, that was as personal and political, as well as a manifestation of an attempt to fight against the currents of history, by a spineless and cowardly individual, who turned into an object of societal opprobrium, because of an undistinguished record in the public space.
Your understanding and support, have meant a lot to me, through these most trying, and very difficult years of my life.
On this birthday anniversary, I want to express my gratitude to all, for your incredible generosity that’s kept me going, each passing day. Even in the depth of despair, which of the favours of Allah can I deny? None. Alhamdulilah!!!
Abuja, September 5th, 2023.
