Binta Salma Mohammed (1969 - 2009)

INNA LILLAHI WA INNA ILAIHI RAJI'UN!

For many days I have not been able to mount the Internet and formally announce the untimely death of my dear wife, Binta Salma Mohammed. Reason: I did not know how to do it or have the courage to do it. The outpouring of grief from family, friends and well-wishers finally goaded me on to write these painful words here, to let the world know about my great loss.

Still, I cannot say much except to pray to the almighty Allah (SWT) to forgive my dear wife, give her eternal rest in Aljannat Firdaus, and give us the life, health, strenght and wherewithal to raise our three children (Mubarak, Nabil and Fadila) in the years to come, amen.

I thank everyone that prayed (prays) for the repose of the soul of Binta. May God reward you all.

NB: My Binta was born in Gwarzo, Kano State, Nigeria, in August 1969. She obtained B.A. and M.A. in English Language from Bayero University, Kano (my alma mater). She worked all her life in the Department of English, Bayero University, Kano, as a lecturer. By the time of her death, she had completed her PhD studies at the University of Abuja, Abuja.

A member of Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Binta authored several literary works, including Contours of Life (a collection of poems) and A Clean Break (a novel), as well as many unpublished others.

Last year she developed an illness in her right arm, for which she underwent surgery in a Cairo hospital. The surgery wasn't successful. She died on the day she returned to Nigeria from Egypt, i.e. on Sunday night, 3rd May, 2009.

Her death has continued to be reported in many Nigerian news outlets. We have received condolences from thousands of people from home and abroad.

ALLAH YA JIKAN TA, YA SA TA HUTA, AMIN SUMMA AMIN.