The wife of the late Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Hadiatu Mohammed, has delivered a heartfelt tribute to her husband, describing him as a loving family man, a man of faith, and a selfless public servant whose presence was a gift to all who knew him.

Speaking at the State funeral for the eight victims of the 6 August helicopter crash, Hadiatu Mohammed began her tribute with words of prayer and faith.

“In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. God is Great, God is Great, God is Great. Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and the Sustainer of the worlds. ‘To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return.’ Today, we gather with heavy hearts to honour the life of a man whose presence was a gift to all who knew him, my beloved husband, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed.”

She described him as hardworking and determined, always giving his best “not for recognition, but because it was in his nature to serve and to care.”

“Mohammed’s life was a blessing to us, and his memory will forever be a treasure. He has left us far too soon, but his love, his laughter, and his example will live on in our children, in our hearts, and in the countless lives he touched.

She reflected on nearly a decade of marriage, during which she said her husband’s kindness, patience, and love touched not only his family but everyone around him.

“Mohammed was more than a husband and father; he was a man of deep faith. God-fearing and humble, he lived his life with integrity, always choosing the right path, even when it was not the easy one. He was trustworthy and dependable, the kind of person you could call at any hour, knowing he would answer.”

She recalled a lighthearted moment that revealed both his dedication to duty and his humility.

“I remember once, an incident on the road. Of course, he was the first person I called. He picked up right away, and I told him my situation, expecting him to come rushing to my rescue. He listened patiently, sympathised, and then said, ‘Ah… my dear, the President has called me.’ In that moment, I realised I wasn’t just sharing my husband with friends, family, or the community. I was sharing him with the President of Ghana as well.”

She spoke fondly of his role as a father, recalling moments when their children would playfully comb his head despite his lack of hair and when he would play “horse” with them at home.

“These were the moments I smiled because then he was not wearing the hat of a Minister of State but that of a dad,” she said, adding that his humour “could light up a room” and his heart “was always ready to help.”

"Rest well, my husband. May Allah grant you Jannatul Firdaus and surround you with eternal peace. We love you, we miss you, and we will carry your light with us always. Inshah Allah.”

“Daddy, we love and miss you so much. Forever in our hearts,” she added.