Innalillahi wainna ilahin rajiun (from Allah we come and to him we will return). The death of Malam Umaru Abdullahi Pambegua on Saturday, January 16, 2021, was painful and created a wide vacuum that will be hard to fill not only in Pambegua communitybut also Kubau local government area of Kaduna state in general. Umaru Abdullahi, until his death, was the chairman of Kubau local government from 1999 to 2002 under the All People Party (APP). During his three years tenure as an elected chairman of Kubau local government, late Malam Umaru Abdullahi a.k.a (Waken Soya) executed many people oriented projects.
For instance, it was during his tenure that many rural roads were opened up in Anchau, Zuntu and Pambegua communities. To his credit, Dutsen-wai, Kubau and Pambegua were connected to the national grid. In the area of youth employment, late Malam Umaru Abdullahi recruited thousands of youths from the 11 wards that constituted the local government area. His political journey did not begin in the third republic. During the President Shehu Shagari administration when Kubau local government area was carved out from Ikara local government area, Late Umaru Abdullahi was elected councillor to represent Pambegua ward.
As a councillor, late Umaru Abdullahi attracted many projects to Pambegua community including construction of bridges in Dan Maliki and other rural communities. Late Malam Umar Abdullahi started his career as a primary school teacher and rose to the position of district education officer (DEO) in the early 1980s. His stint in Local Government Education Authority (LEA) was excellent. Those who worked under his tutulage or division eulogize his exceptional performance. They testified that Umaru Abdullahi was a dedicated and committed civil servant whose passion was to guide and direct subordinates to perform their duties effectively.
After he retired from the civil service, Umaru Abdullahi joined partisan politics in order to serve his community. He was elected councillor and chairman, respectively. After he completed his tenure in 2002, Umaru Abdullahi continued to contest many elections but lost. In 2018, late Umaru Abdullahi vied for chairmanship under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but lost to Sabo Aminu Anchau of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He also aspired to the seat of the Kaduna State House of Assembly but was denied the ticket by the PDP.
After series of consultations with his political associates, late Umaru Abdullahi dumped the PDP and pitched his tent with the APC. However, in the last general election, he was nominated as the coordinator of Senator Abdu Kwari election committee. Also, through his numerous investments such as ABDAD Pure Water Factory and Restaurant, late Umaru Abdullahi empowered many youths.
Despite the fact he was not in power in the last one decade, Umaru Abdullahi remained a philanthropist of great repute. He had used his personal resources to construct many bridges in Pambegua and Zuntu communities. His house was also a Mecca of sorts welcoming those in need of assistance. His painful exit has robbed the Pambegua community of his selfless service to humanity. However, we take solace with the fact that late Umaru Abdullahi Pambegua lived a fulfiled life.
May Allah (S.W.A) forgive his sins and reward him with aljannah fiddausi. Ameen. Adieu Umaru Abdullahi (Waken Soya).
Mustapha writes from Pambegua, Kaduna state via 08169056963
