Dornier crash: One year
after
…Two days to the incident, daddy became unusually
pressed, and pleaded that we pray for him – daughter
By Yemi Omidiji
Saturday, September
15, 2007
 |
•Duniya’s
family
•Photo: Sun News Publishing
|
|
A year ago, the entire nation was struck by a national tragedy.
It was the day 13 Generals of the Nigeria military community
perished in a plane crash on the heights of Obudu hills, Cross
River State. Memories of that incident have continued to live
with the bereaved families.
The family of late Major General Bitrus Duniya has not been
let out of the web of that agony.
When Saturday Sun visited the residence of the fallen hero,
at the Ann’s Barracks, Yaba, Lagos, a year exactly after
the heart rendering incidence took place, his widow, Rifkat,
children and other families members recalled his last words.
Dad’s last moment
Daughter of the late general, Shimriyah, a graduate of Economics
recalled her father’s premonitions of that particular
tragedy which unfortunately claimed his life. She explained:
"About two days before the air crash, all his actions
were much unlike him and he behaved so very unusual. He spoke
to us, but his words were in proverbs and in quiz, which justified
that he did not only live as a soldier alone, but like a man
who understands the time. He called us one after another,
and he started to admonish us. That we should at all times
always be ever ready to take up responsibilities and challenges
with diligence. He said further that we should in his absence
continue to give due respect to his resident officers who
he so much cherished in the home".
Shimriyah, (literally translated ‘cool your mind’)
but fondly called ‘my madam or cool your mind,"
by her late father, further noted in retrospection stated
that her father exhibited some unusual behaviours shortly
before he left home for work on the day of the tragic incident.
According to her, the General walked around to check that
the whole house was in order before he left a duty he usually
delegated to the wife or the oldest son. Then as he left for
work, he sharply turned around at the door and remarked rather
caustically, "it’s a crucial retreat! …I
cannot but honour the national call."
Life’s bitter pills
Speaking of her irreparable loss, Mrs. Duniya, wife of the
deceased, disclosed plans that was set aside for the one year
remembrance of her late husband. So very hard for her to hide
her feeling and passion she had for her lost husband; she
described the tragedy as one of the bitterest pills of her
life.
"It has not been easy for me since he passed away a year
ago. His death has left pains and anguish. I will forever
live to always remember him. And we shall always continue
to pray for him. Since his demise, in all I do, I have not
found it easy to make decisions, because Bitrus was my only
confidant. On every issue, I used to consult him before taking
any step. Most outstanding of his legacies, I remember he
his fair dealings with people, his generosity in particular,
and his inestimable advise he always gave his children.
However, Mrs Duniya said God has been helping the family to
cope without the head after he deperted. "His friends
and relatives have always risen in our support"
Endless regets
In another chat with the extended family of the late General
who hailed from Zangon Kataf in Kaduna State, Martha, his
younger sister also explained to Saturday Sun, that the pains
which his death caused the family cannot be overemphasised.
"How I wish he’s alive today to see me progress
in life. It’s sad. He died a day prior to my resumption
in a job he helped me to secure", she lamented.
The sudden devastation to the family was so total that Basa,
the last child in the family of three, and now, a 300-level
student of the Igbinedion University, might have taken the
incident to heart as he sees it as the manifestation of ill-forces
against his promising future.
"Before the death, he had arrangement to send me abroad
for my masters after completing my first degree. More than
every other person, I was not convinced that Daddy is dead.
But the realities have to correct that impression. Being a
member of choir of the church where my Daddy was a prominent
member, from my position, I always look straight in the direction
of his seat (in the front row), and I see a vacuum. This confirms
that the man is no more".
Rhoda, one of the relatives of General Duniya says she still
finds it so difficult to believe the report of his uncle’s
death. But rather, Rhoda kept hope and the faith that his
beloved uncle will one day return home soon. "I still
have that belief that he (Duniya) travelled as he often used
to do". |
