By Adewale Adeoye
Happy birthday to Dr. Ibrahim Mauleem Zikirullahi. We met in one of the most difficult eras in Nigerian history around 1994. This time, the military killed opponents with guns and bayonets, some disappeared and were never found.
I remember two of my colleagues in the Guardian, Chinedu Offoaro and Prince all disappeared and have never been found to date.
It was a risk to oppose the military. Death without trial was the reward. But you stood up gallantly.
You were then a staff of Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company. Your workers were sacked, a lot of them. Earlier, about a thousand had been sacked. I was in The Guardian as a Correspondent. We all had the historic responsibility to ensure justice.
We were fighting the case of the first set of workers when the management sacked more.
The responsibility of leading the sacked workers for justice fell on you, young Zik. The workers saw in you humility, affection, diligence, courage, and Godliness.
They knew you would not disappoint or betray them. Side by side with you leading, this struggle was fought under a wicked and malicious military rule. You led the struggle bare-chested. You were chased to be killed. The soldiers and undercover agents wanted you dead. Your house was surrounded many times by lurking armed assassins. Your iron cast will not bend.
You led a determined and courageous battle against injustice.
God has rewarded you with goodwill all over. Apart from Allah, You are self-made. You walked a tough battle on the ladder of life with God on your side.
Your life is a testimony of courage, perseverance, hard work, and Godly manners. It shows that God rewards good people even though our country jails and hunts them.
As you mark your birthday today, I wish you a longer life and perfect health.
May Allah honour you with the blessing of Abraham.
Happy birthday to you my good comrade
