Hajia Fatima Yusuf Gambo: Eclipse of A Humanist
By Usman Yakubu, Esq. Her passing was the news I never wanted to hear. Long before Allah called her home on the blessed Friday of 3 July 2026, I had been troubled by recurring nightmares and certain subtle changes in her attitude towards me. Over the years, I have come to recognise such experiences as ominous signs whenever I am about to lose someone very close. I experienced the same unsettling feelings before my mother passed away from the same illness in 2015. Before Hajia Fatima's death, I had also fallen ill and was nursed back to health by my wife, Amina Yusuf. During my last visit to Hajia Fatima's house, shortly before I travelled to Gombe State on official assignment, she hardly looked me in the eye. It was unusual and remained with me. From Gombe, I travelled to Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. While there, on Wednesday night, I dreamt that she had fully recovered. We were talking and laughing together about something I can no longer remember. I woke up relieved, believing perhaps that my fears had been unfounded. The following evening, after concluding the day's assignment in Yenagoa at about 7:00 p.m., I received a telephone call from our senior colleague, Hajia Hauwau, regarding an unrelated matter. As we were about to end the conversation, she quietly informed me that Hajia Fatima had collapsed again and had been rushed to the hospital on oxygen support. She explained that another blood donor was urgently needed and mentioned that she had been told I usually helped source donors during Hajia Fatima's previous admissions at the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, and the General Hospital, Garki. She also informed me that Architect Nura had volunteered to donate blood and was already on his way to the hospital. Sleep abandoned me that night. I remained restless until about 5:00 a.m., when I checked the Commission's general WhatsApp platform. There, Architect Nura had posted the announcement I had been praying never to read. Hajia Fatima Gambo Yusuf had returned to her Creator in the early hours of that blessed Friday. Alone in my hotel room in Yenagoa, it felt as though the entire world had collapsed around me. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un. Hajia Fatima was more than my Director; she was a true leader, mentor and benefactor. She remains one of the humblest and most modest human beings I have ever known. Despite heading one of the Commission's most important departments, she listened attentively to everyone's opinion during departmental meetings, from senior officers to the office clerk. Every contribution mattered to her because she respected people, not positions. She was incapable of malice or envy. Whenever she heard anything negative about a member of staff, she never formed conclusions based on hearsay. Instead, she would invite the person concerned to explain before making any judgment. That simple habit reflected her deep sense of justice and fairness. I recall two incidents that perfectly illustrate this quality. The first occurred when she nominated me for an official assignment to Jalingo, Taraba State. Around the same period, I had also been nominated for another assignment to Katsina State. Because the two trips were scheduled very close together, a junior colleague approached me, explaining that he wished to visit his father in Yola, Adamawa State, and requested that I allow him to undertake the Jalingo assignment instead. I agreed out of goodwill but instructed him not to inform Hajia Fatima until I had explained the arrangement to her myself. Unfortunately, he immediately contacted her and falsely claimed that I had reassigned the assignment without her approval, deliberately omitting the fact that he had initiated the request. Hajia Fatima promptly called me to question my decision. After listening patiently to my explanation and apology, she immediately accepted my account without prejudice. The matter ended there because she believed in hearing both sides before reaching any conclusion. The second incident involved a member of staff who approached her with allegations against me. Before the individual could say much, she dismissed the matter because she already knew my character and recognised that the allegations lacked credibility. That level of trust remains one of the greatest compliments I have ever received from a superior. I joined the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) as Personal Assistant to the Chairman of the Governing Board, my teacher and mentor, Professor Adamu Kyuka Usman. Following the expiration of his tenure, I was posted to the Department of Legal Services, then a unit under Hajia Fatima's leadership. She welcomed me wholeheartedly. Remarkably, she even shortened a medical trip to Egypt and convened a staff meeting to formally receive me into the department. It was during that meeting that I discovered we shared the same alma mater—the Faculty of Law, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Hajia Fatima never lived for herself alone. While ordinary people often think primarily of themselves, truly great people think of humanity. Humanity was her constituency. She treated other people's children as though they were her own and was fiercely protective of every member of her staff. Whenever officers from other departments were nominated for official assignments, she would always check whether anyone from her department had been included. If none had been nominated, she would personally approach the relevant Director and advocate for fair representation. She believed that opportunities should be shared fairly and that every officer deserved the chance to grow professionally. Unsurprisingly, she earned the unwavering loyalty and affection of those who worked under her. Hajia FatimaYusuf Gambo was not merely our Director; she was a force of quiet strength clothed in humility. She nurtured people, promoted peace and gave generously without expecting recognition. She never believed in enjoying blessings alone while others lacked. Her life was a daily demonstration of compassion, kindness and selfless service. Sadly, her passing reminds us that many of the noblest sacrifices made in service to others often go unnoticed and unrewarded. Professionally, she exemplified diligence, excellence and integrity. She carried out her responsibilities with unwavering commitment, and her leadership contributed immensely to the growth of the Legal Department and the Commission as a whole. She was approachable, respectful and supportive, earning the admiration of colleagues across all levels. Beyond the office, she was a deeply religious woman who lived according to the principles of faith, honesty, compassion and justice. She constantly reminded us that every leader would one day account before Almighty Allah for how those under their care were treated. Those were not merely words to her; they guided the way she led. She treated every member of staff fairly, stood by us during difficult moments and corrected us with dignity whenever we made mistakes. On a personal note, I have lost a rare benefactor. She believed in me, entrusted me with challenging responsibilities, celebrated my successes and corrected my shortcomings with kindness and respect. She saw potential where others saw limitations and constantly encouraged me to become a better professional and a better person. For that, I remain eternally grateful. ...
