Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullhi, a former president of the Nigerian Football Federation [NFF] ,is bereaved. He recently lost his mother,Hajia Laraba Abdullahi. Hajia Laraba, who was the matriarch of the Abdullahi family died at Idah, Kogi State on Saturday. February 4, after a brief illness at the age of 87. She has since been buried according to Islamic rites. Until her death, Hajia Laraba , was a great community leader, an astute business woman; and an educationist ,among others. She was the mother of two illustrious sons of Kogi State: Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi fondly called Sonny who served as commissioner for Works and Transport in Kogi State government under the administration of Captain Idris Wada. Ibrahim however died on August 11, 2014 .Her second son, Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi, was the President of the Nigerian Football Federation[NFF], from 2006-2010. Alhaji Sani who is also a fellow of the Institute of Quantity Surveyors of Nigeria is the founder and proprietor of the famous FOSLA Secondary School/football academy , Karshi-Abuja FOSLA are the defending National Principal’s Cup champions. Hajia Abdullahi was at a relatively young age a school teacher at Qua Ibo Primary School Idah . The highlight of her career was her being a teacher of the late Professor Emeritus, late Francis Suleiman Idachaba, who rose to become the pioneer Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi as well VC of Kogi State University, Anyigba.
In his tribute, Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi said his mother will be greatly missed “ for all her support, and for standing by us to ensure we her children were properly brought up, , especially when we lost our father relatively early in life There was nothing we would do, no serious decision that was taken without seeking her advice.”
The former NFF President prayed that “May Allah [SWT] grant my late Mum , Hajia Laraba Abdullahi , the best of paradise.” In her book, African Woman of Virtue: Hajia Laraba Abdullahi recounted how her father, Ogaji Ojotu Aku did all he could do to ensure she was educated , even in the face of opposition from some of his relatives.
