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(By Ayuba, Yilgak'ha, 08116181263)
In this glowing tribute, permit me to start with a disclaimer that I have never met Late martriarch, Rabeccah Mak'yan Wannang in person but her children Mrs Josephine Bako, Mrs Martina Dakur, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Alex Wannang, Engineer. Christopher Wannang and Professor Noel Wannang who are touching lives everywhere and making huge waves in their respective areas of calling.
Without sounding immodest, today in Plateau and Nigeria, the Partriarchal name Wannang does not need any introduction because of the great exploits the Wannangs are making in many fields of human endeavour both within and outside Plateau State, that is, Nigeria and the world. These ones are highly resourceful people whose names can only be heard for good reasons!
The main thesis of this tribute is that a tree cannot bear good fruits if it is not good itself. With the great vibes and works I have seen in her children, it can be said, without mincing words, that Late martriarch Rabeccah Mak'yan Wannang was a great profile in good parenting.
Good parenting is about credible nurturing and cultivation of good virtues in a child or children. It is a critical catalyst that is lacking in most families which has caused hydra-headed problems in many societies, nations and the world today.
All social ills (drug abuse, rape, cultism, examination malpractices, prostitution); criminal activities such as armed robbery, cyber crime, murder; arson, violent conflicts and even wars that the world is battling today, drive from breakdown in the fundamentals of family units which Late Mak'yan who peacefully died on Monday, July 3, 2023 creditably managed hers at wow level, that is, excellent plus standard, to say the least!
Through credible paranting, Late Mak'yan has given Nigeria a tested and proven security expert, AIG Alex Wannang, to help Nigeria and, by extension, the world to maintain law and order through fighting of crime and criminality. You need to meet this rare gem to know the stuff he is made of courtesy the foundational starter fixes of the departed Martriarch.
Late Mak'yan also bequeathed to the world a world class pharmacist in Prof. Noel Wannang. There are professors but there is a professor. Professor Noel is an exceptionally brilliant thorough breed who has inspired and motivated countless pharmaceutical students in University of Jos. He is part of the phenomenal breakthroughs which has been made in pharmaceutical industries in Nigeria and has contributed greatly to quality control in this sphere in the country. In fact, the story of up coming generations of pharmists who have the potentials to transform the Pharmaceutical industries in Nigeria will not be completed without a mention of professor Wannang!
I wished you had met Late Engineer Martin Wannang to appreciate Late Mak'yan's prowess in parenting. The late Eng. had speciality in Water Engineering and died as Director of Works with the Local Government Service Commission, Plateau State.Then, we have Christopher Wannang, another great Mak'yan legacy. He is Building Engineer who works with the Federal Ministry of Works, Abuja, with speciality in construction management.
Both Josephine and Marina are educationists. Josephine retired as the Principal of Federal Govt College, Zuru, Kebbi State in North Eastern Nigeria while Martina was Principal in several schools in Plateau State and retired as a Permanent Secretary with the Plateau State Government. This further confirmed how the Mak'yans extended have continue to touch lives across the length and breadth of Nigeria.
As can be seen, Late martriarch Rabeccah Mak'yan's Midas touch cannot be contested. She was the proverbial goose that laid golden eggs. Indeed, her womb is exceptionally blessed and the breast her children soaked was pure gold. She taught her children the way of success in human relations, intellectualism, professionalism and, more importantly, the love of God who is the sufficiency of all mortals!
There are no liabilities in the Wannang dynasty. When I received the news of the demise of this Late martriarch Rebeccah, my reaction after consoling the children which I have encountered on different occasions is simple: "Seeing how far you, the children have come, I can say with all confidence that mama is not dead but living in the exceptionally productive offsprings she left behind!"
Martriarch Mak'yan is gone but she is here with us yet. She is here through here resourceful children and through her children's children. This martriarch was a legacy in uncommon blessing to the world courtesy child bearing and nurturing in the ways of cherishable virtues and values.
The children of the deceased enjoyed their Amazon mother like no other. The evidence of this enviable mother-children bonding was expressed in the text of the burial notification as follows: "Mama, it is our wish that you live forever but it is a painful gain that heavens will celebrate your coming." It was a family of lovebird and losing the strategic modeller, stabiliser, encourager and energiser can be demoralising or, at least, an eye flipping experience but can God be questioned? Not alll!
Anyway, death is part of the rhythms of life. There is time for everything: A time to smile and a time to mourn. As many as our opportunities to smile, so also are our possibilities to mourn too. This means that as long as men live, chances are that they will experience both. Glory be to God who is the author and finisher of our faith. He gave Late Mak'yan Wannang but He takes too. Thanks be to the giver and taker for the benefit of having her as a mother and channel of blessing to humanity!
Thank God, also, for longevity. At 92, Late Mak'yan was about a century old sorjourning here on earth. Only a few had such rarest privilege; considering that the 2022 life expectancy which is the most recent in Nigeria is 55.44 per cent. It is heart warning to note that the departed Amazon had a colourful and beautiful page here on earth and we are hoping she is transiting into another eventful life in the great beyond.
This moment is a mourning period but, for all intents and purposes, a celebration one. My humble prayer, therefore is that oh Lord, bless the world, Nigeria and Plateau with many more of Wannangs. Let Late Martriarch Rabeccah Mak'yan Wannang who has been established to be springboard of resourcefulness continue to smile in restful mood as the world and the family she serves with greater distinction commits her to mother earth at family compound Vel, Pankshin, come Thursday, July 12, 2023!
