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Late Philip Maliki
By HRH Dr Sabo Azyjidoku Emmanuel
The rarefied atmosphere of societal findings and discoveries about people, things are the basis; researchers take the plunge to decipher literary works on such phenomena as an idea germinates in mind. Therefore, one’s knowledge about somebody is all about a conviction based on interaction, connectivity which can be by family ties; occupational, ecclesiastical, the ummah, the cult etc. One’s perception about somebody, ceases to be a fantasy, consequentially in a reasonable concordance between the subject and their personality traits. This type of person does not live in the crepuscular or the twilight zone on the fringes of society. The person is a search light and like a prow, he always leads the way on the side of honour and glory. This, we have seen in the man, a Prince Charming to a vivacious mama, mother Abingye. The man, (Abo deya) Prince Philip Apurugba Maliki, radiated statesmanlike sterling quality while he was alive in the family, his place of work, and the community. Though he led a quiet lifestyle all through, nobody has ever complained about the star that shines to the horizon. He was fastidious, generally and ended in honour and glory. He was a real gem.
This benign sage, was a son to the legendary Prince Agbenyeba Maliki Azyjidoku who welded enormous influence of cohesion in the social, political and economic pursuits of the peopled Jukun Wanu familial. One striking dissimilarity about the legend is that, he was a man of the people, a people person, a politician of repute but his male children were so reserved. They did not take after his charming charisma. For instance, Prince (Adato) Egwa, Prince Amasa, Prince Sule, including the scion, Prince Philip Apurugba Maliki were the quiet type, introverted, temperate, with absolute humility. This phenomenon is strange to be associated with royalists.
Mr Maliki had his secondary education at the prestigious Government Secondary School (Middle School), Katsina-Ala, Benue state. Prominent amongst his classmates at their Alma Mater; acronym- ‘KAOBA’ (Katsina-Ala Old Boys Association), include: Lieutenant General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (rtd) ABONTA; Alhaji Dr. Isa Mustapha Agwai II, the Emir of Lafia (late); Alhaji Shehu Othman Keana, one time commissioner, Benue Plateau State among others.
From left: Late Philip Maliki, late Amodu Ataki and late Asebiya Agah
He had worked with the moribund, Kingsway (departmental) stores, Kaduna. He later on left for the Arewa Hotels and worked with Durbar Hotel, Kaduna. He rose to the position of the company’s Purchasing Manager, till retirement. He was a brotherly gentleman that I can claim I know not much but I know above little about him. Doubtless to question our ancestry. When my father, King Sabo Azyjidoku II ABISEKU of Abinsi was in the palace, brother Makili’s mother Awadako Adoka was there with us. Brother, when on leave or for any reason he was home, in Abinsi, the wife, “Dear”, as they cherished their pet name, used to be together with him. They were indeed love birds. Guess what? The wife was an arm candy. They were really fond of each other, hand in glove. One does not necessarily have to be a genius to prove it. It will be a total failure on their own part, if the children left this leading example of marital relationship. Also came visiting in the palace to check on their mother were: sisters Atunsha, Ausonabi, Awama with countless grand and great grandchildren such as Baba Dogo, Ladi, Amuni, Anthony, Ashoke, Martha (late) Mary, Ayima (late) Ashawa, Toma, Dauda, Sule, Debora, Dina, Anwukabu; Sule, Abdulmumuni, Caleb, Anyatikpo, Helen, Julie, Zainebu and too many others to mention.
Late Philip Maliki, left, with some friends on a visit to London in the early ’80s
Brother Philip Apurugba Maliki secured for me job with the Durbar Hotel, Kaduna. He also got job for Prince Emmanuel Akoshi and Princess Christiana Lami Akoshi (late) with the Durbar Hotel, Kaduna as well. He got a job for Prince Bawa Maliki with the ARCHCON limited, his friend’s business conglomerate, also in Kaduna.
He was very easy going and soft hearted. Men are valued for their influence among their people. Abo deya Maliki actually made a crowning achievement indeed. Quick to notice that, at his work, the incorruptible Maliki did not abuse officialdom and professionalism. I do remember when I was there with him, he never compromised his position. Decency, prudence, uprightness were the ethical qualities he cherished, promoted and exhibited. I do remember he used to tell me- “Don’t do anything nasty”, Emmanuel. To me, the warning advice was just like telling someone not to approach the Bermuda Triangle, euphemistically. I also do remember the “Dears” London trip and the cow Boy velvet cap as my souvenir-gift. I also do remember in one of his visits he brought a royal arm chair seat to his uncle in the palace to match the spacious palatial ambience. This honour, fervent, fervour and favour done to his uncle and with the streams of ancestral blessings that were invoked that day motivated prosperity and wonderful goodwill generally. Is this type of affection still felt today between relations? I remember, O’ yes, I remember the young vibrant David (Ashoke) then, who used to come and swim at the Hotel swimming pool even without the consent of the father sometimes and how I intervened when security men at the swimming pool gate would not allow him in. But on hearing that he is the Purchasing Manager’s son he would be allowed into the pool to swim. Well, time flies’, Ashoke may not recall all the scenes again. But for Anthony unlike Ashoke, he was more of a Jos man with his maternal grandfather, Baba, Chief I.I Akwuchi (C.P).
Late Philip Maliki with his wife, Margaret in a photo taken in Lagos
Late Maliki with his best friend, late Bako Bobzom, left, in a photo taken in the mid ’60s
Everybody is entitled to their own opinion and just to narrow this comparison to Mr. Philip’s children of the Malikis, Prince Ashoke might be like Adeya Agbenyeba Azyjidoku – reincarnate in character traits, genetically, as it was said of the legend: charismatic, crowd puller, prime mover, very push-full, crowd sourcing, crowd funding, crucible and generously ambidextrous in the affairs of people. The people person that the legendary Maliki was, really, is an evocation etc. But Anthony is like the father, Philip Maliki (Odeya), He is actually calm, temperate, reserved and softly-softly .
The legendary Abo deya Agbenyaba Maliki Azyjidoku’s daughters were really quite lively. The likes of Princesses Atunsha, Ausonabi, Amwanni, Awama were indeed extroverted and coordinated. Also some of the great Maliki’s grandchildren such as Ayikowaji, Baba Dogo, Toma, Usman, Adanwo, Dan Asabe, Sule, Maliki jnr (late) Dauda etc share the traits of the legendary sage. Likita, Bawa, Sale are mildly introverted.
“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 1Cor15:55. Life is a journey. It is transient. Prince Philip Apurugba Maliki (Odeya); ‘Dear’, is still watching and praying. The children still have you on their mind and we, all join in the celestial supplications. Adieu and rest in perfect peace. Amen.
