1. The name first rang in my ears since I was teenaging Then I was hardly able to spell or call it out correctly All along I thought:
2. “Zangina”Meaning I could construct, in Hausa language Or better still, to others it could mean I can build
3. The twining of letters Z and W was also tough for me
4. Until the career broadcaster in me began to roar One thing about him was characteristic outspokenness
5. A man blessed with uncommon scholarship and erudition
6. Aside from his academic exploits at the old CPS The late Senator made a mark on the National scene
7. He shone so brightly as a federated parliamentarian
8. His voice was always anticipated on all issues
9. He was one of the leading lights at MAMSERT
10. He Mass Mobilization Agency under Jerry Gana, President IBB mandated Gana to recruit the brightest to lead the agency in all the States of Nigeria
11. Zwingina came in handy for the defunct Gongola
12. Much later, I was on NYSC under Gana in Lagos I had reasons to come closer to Dr. Zwingina
13 At this time AbduRahman Abba was among his trusted boys
14. Zwingina, Dr. Musa Moda of Bauchi and a few others had to frequently be calling on their big boss I was merely an Information Assistant at MAMSER
15. Meeting and learning from the greats so early I admired their engagements and camaraderie in MAMSER much later metamorphosed into NOA
16. Zwingina was one of Gana’s most trusted aides
17. He was one of the most performing Directors at MAMSER
18. Gifted with a SilverTongue, he was unstoppable In the classroom, his courses were hotter cakes
19. In politics he was the focus of public attention
20. At the home-front he was the family rallying point
21. At public events we scrambled for his handshake
22. Senator Zwingina always remained option alpha Yes, because he could construct public psyche.
23. “Zangina” he seemed to say and indeed engaged all Imbued with a captivating sense of sophistry Entangled with a remarkable sense of humor
24. A man of all men who hardly had any privacy A teacher, politician, community servant and all
25. His students transcend the classrooms and academia
26. They are everywhere, at the workplace and the marketplace
27. His demise leaves multiple vacuums in all destinations In politics, community, country and the world
28. Silas remains a household name all over Gongola And indeed his larger constituency of Nigeria.
29. In academics, a familiar terrain he will never be forgotten In governance his imprints in legislative engineering are golden
30. In society the great name remains a shining symbol Indeed an exemplary beacon for generations
31. At seventy he has paid his dues to humanity As a role model his mentees will miss him less
32. Less indeed because he left them a legacy
33. They would have missed him more if unmentored
34. I wish he had taught me formally in the classroom. That I missed the chance to be his formal student I got enough informally from his vast intellectual farmhouse
35. Many others learnt hugely from his immense wisdom.
36. Any citation on this rare Gem could be very irresistible Adamawa would do good to Zwingina’s legacy If a building at SPY is ever named after the great man Or if the NOA office is named Zwingina House
37. Any would be a very befitting immortalization To a lifelong patriot who gave his all to his people and country!
