Tribute to Hajiya Hauwa Yusuf Funtua: A life of service and impact

It was meant to be a routine monthly talk of the London Chapter of the Nigeria Muslim Forum in the United Kingdom (NMFUK), a platform where...

It was meant to be a routine monthly talk of the London Chapter of the Nigeria Muslim Forum in the United Kingdom (NMFUK), a platform where I have had the honour of presenting various topics for nearly a year. However, the gathering on Sunday, July 12, 2025 was anything but routine. It was a deeply emotional session, both in tone and purpose as the community came together to mourn one of its most dedicated members: the national publicity secretary - Hajiya Hauwa Yusuf Funtua, who returned to her creator on June 26 after a prolonged illness.

Hajiya Hauwa was more than just a member of the NMFUK. To many, she was a colleague, a friend, a sister, a mother, and above all, a community leader and tireless mobiliser. She embodied teamwork, leadership and selfless service-qualities that came to the fore during the heartfelt testimonies delivered throughout the session. Speaker after speaker expressed shock at her passing and paid glowing tributes to her remarkable life. Personally, it was the most emotional session I have ever anchored in my 20-year professional career.

My relationship with Hajiya Hauwa was both professional and personal. She was my senior in the journalism profession. Though we never worked directly together, I, like many Nigerians in the UK and at home, followed her excellent work, especially during her tenure as the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA)'s UK correspondent. She was widely respected and rated as one of the station's most reliable and active foreign correspondents. She carried out her duties with passion, dedication and a strong sense of professionalism, earning her the admiration of a culturally and religiously diverse Nigerian diaspora in the UK.

Although we both lived in London between 2012 and 2016 during my first stay in the UK, our paths didn't cross meaningfully until later. We met only in passing during NMFUK Eid celebrations-an event she held close to her heart and remained actively involved in until her last days. It wasn't until I returned to Nigeria in May 2016 and continued my involvement with the London chapter of the NMFUK that I truly came to know and work closely with her. My return to the UK last September further cemented our relationship.

While she held a national executive role, Hauwa was one of the strongest pillars of the London chapter. She was ever-present, offering financial, moral and physical support for nearly every activity. She served as a vital link between the chapter and the women's league, using her extensive network to rally support and make complex tasks look easy.

For many attendees, the Zoom session provided a deeper insight into Hauwa's life, particularly the side many never got to see. Colleagues, friends and family shared fond memories and impactful moments they had shared with her. What resonated most, however, was her selfless service to humanity through charity and community work.

She was a lifeline to many vulnerable families in Nigeria. Beyond her formal involvement in various charitable organisations, she maintained a personal payroll for dozens of people in need. She funded the construction of toilets in Islamic schools, paid school fees for underprivileged children and consistently supported the needy. One of her close friends shared how Hauwa kept a long list of family members who regularly benefitted from her generosity.

Dr Nura Makwashi Maradu, a regular contributor to the NMFUK WhatsApp group, recalled that Hauwa was always the first to respond to his fundraising appeals. 'It was surprising when I didn't hear back after my last request. I later learned she had been hospitalised-battling the illness she never recovered from,' he said.

Hauwa's charitable efforts spanned across regions-from Paris to London, Abuja to Funtua, Maradu, Kano and Zaria. Her acts of giving touched countless lives, many of whom will never know the source of their relief.

In the UK, she was a pillar of our community. She nurtured relationships, bridged divides and was always ready to lend a helping hand. I vividly recall when we planned a Ramadan Iftar to coincide with Professor Jameel Zarewa's tafsir at the Seven Sisters Masjid in North London. Due to low sign-ups, we decided to cancel the event and postpone it until Eid. Unknown to us, Hauwa had already paid for and ordered refreshments. That single act made me feel guilty for suggesting the cancellation. Yet, she bore no grudge and fully participated in the rescheduled event.

The Qur'an reminds us that every soul shall taste death, and none shall delay their appointed time by even a second. Hajiya Hauwa Yusuf returned to Allah with Kalimatus Shahada on her lips. I pray Allah (SWT) accepts her shahada, forgives her shortcomings and rewards her good deeds.

May He comfort her husband, Alhaji Dauda, and their two young children-Rahama and Abdurrahman-and grant them the strength to bear this irreplaceable loss. And for us at the NMFUK, may her passing become a source of renewed strength and motivation to continue the little we do for our faith and community.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).