Alhaji Ahmed Iddris Babar, a community leader popularly known as Ironman
whose sudden death occured in Madina, Saudi Arabia, during the Pilgrimage
shocked the Ghanaian community in NY. A recent memorial service was
organized by his family, NCOGA, NDC-North America, as well as Yankasa
Association in USA and Canada at the Cocoa House, Bronx, NY. The memorial
service was very well attended and brought together many dignitaries who had
known or worked with Iron for many years as a Politician and as a former
President of the Yankasa Association of New York.
Some of the noted dignitaries were; Deputy Consul General; Joseph
Ngminebayihi; Imam Ibrahim of An-Nasr Mosque, Dr. Benjamin Doodoo,(Chairman
of the Board of Directors, NCOGA), Ms Rose Quarshie,DESG (Deputy Executive
Secretary General) of NCOGA, Eddie Agbo, Max Cobbinah, Representatives from
NCOGA, The New York Asantefuohene; Nana Anane Amponsah, and his
Queenmother; Nana Abena Manu, as well as Togbe Wallace Setranah, head of the
United Volta Association in New York.
People came from as far away as Chicago, Detroit, Toronto, Ohio, Washington
D.C., Maryland, and Virginia to pay their respects to the fallen leader,
including Alhaji Mohammed Toloba, the President of Zumunta Club in Toronto.
The packed hall with a diverse audience was a testimony to his willingness
to deal with people irrespective of background, politically and socially.
An Eulogy was read by a family member ? Babagoro. There were also various
testimonies given by Alhjai Abbas Adam, former PRO of NCOGA and a business
Associate of Ironman, Taller (Yusif), a Quranic recitation was by Sheikh
Mutasir, the Chief Imam Yankasa Association of Philadelphia, Malam Baba
Gambo, Yankasa Chief Imam gave a sermon and also blessed the gathering.
Finally, Alhaji Mohammed Mardah, Executive Secretary General of the
National Council of Ghanaian Associations (NCOGA), a protege of the Iron
hosted the occasion.
*Biography - Alhaji Ahmed Iddris Babar aka Ironman*
Alhaji Ahmed Iddris Babar was born was born to the late Hajia Salamatu
Ajuji and Ahmed Babar on June 12, 1950 in Salaga, Ghana. He departed this
life on Saturday, December 29, 2007 in Medina, Saudi Arabia.
Ahmed spent many memorable times growing up in Salaga, Senchi Ferry and
Accra along with his siblings, the late Abdul-Rahman Abubakar (Jack Do); Haj
Barure; Alhaji Abdul-Hameed Babar (Commander) and the late Maimunatu
(Maimasa). He graduated from St. John's Grammar School, Achimota Accra in
1969 with the GCE 'O' Level. He completed his GCE 'A' Level at Government
(Gbewa) Secondary School, Tamale in June of 1971, where he was the featured
Goalkeeper for the Ghanaian Secondary School selection team ? The Ghana
Academicals.
He returned to Accra where he joined the Accra Great Olympics Soccer Club
as a goalkeeper, while working at the Bank of Ghana. He left Accra Ghana in
1975 to settle in the Bronx, New York.
Ahmed graduated from Herbert H. Lehman in 1983 with the Bachelor's of Arts
degree; and subsequently obtained Master of Urban Planning degree at Hunter
College 1987.
Ahmed's married life started with Margo Babar, which produced three
children - late Suleiman Salaga Babar; Ahmed Babar Jr. and Balkiss K. Babar.
In 1983 he wedded Nana Ayisha Babar and also produced three children -
Babagoro Seidu Babar; Salamatu Luisa Babar and Muslim Nantogma Babar.
Ahmed Iddris Babar (Iron Man) was indeed a great assert in the entire
Ghanaian Community in New York. He was a founding member of the Yankasa
Association of Ghana, the National Council of Ghanaian Associations in New
York. He held various positions and served as president of both
organizations. He was a member of the NDC and Gonja Association of USA. He
received many awards from schools organizations: he wrote many published
articles.
Left to cherish loving memories are wife Ayisha Babar, sons Ahmed Babar,
Muslim Babar, Babagoro Babar and the late Suleiman Babar, Daughters Balkiss
Babar and Salamatu Babar. Uncle Alhaji Zakari Abubakar, mother in law Hajia
Rakiya Abubakar, brother in law Alhaji Umar Bukari, Alhaji Abdul Razak
Abubakar, Mustapaha Abubakar. Cousin Mohammed Hardi Yakubu, Zakari Abass.
Sister-in-law Ramatu Abubakar, Taifatu Abubakar and Fauzia Abubakar; and a
host of cousins and friends.
*Allah saw you were getting tired And a cure was not to be, *
*So He put His arms around you *
*And whispered, "Come to Me." With tearful eyes we watched you, *
*And saw you pass away. *
*Although we loved you dearly, We could not make you stay. *
*A golden heart stopped beating, *
*Hard working hands at rest. *
*Allah broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best. *
**
*We will always love you. *
*Your beloved Family*
* *
**
*In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful *
*This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear
Allah; *
*Who believe in the Unseen, are steadfast in prayer, and spend out of what
We have provided for them; *
*And who believe in the Revelation sent to thee, and sent before thy time,
and (in their hearts) have the assurance of the Hereafter. *
*They are on (true) guidance, from their Lord, and it is these who will
prosper. *
*Qur'an Chapter: 2:2-5*
* *
**
*Mankind was one single nation, and Allah sent Messengers with glad tidings
and warnings; and with them He sent the Book in truth, to judge between
people in matters wherein they differed; but the People of the Book, after
the clear Signs came to them, did not differ among themselves, except
through selfish contumacy. Allah by His Grace Guided the believers to the
Truth, concerning that wherein they differed. For Allah guided whom He will
to a path that is straight. *
*Qur'an Chapter: 2:213 *
**
*O ye who believe! seek help with patient perseverance and prayer; for Allah
is with those who patiently persevere. *
*And say not of those who are slain in the way of Allah: "They are dead."
Nay, they are living, though ye perceive (it) not. *
*Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in
goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those
who patiently persevere,*
* *
**
*Who say, when afflicted with calamity: "To Allah We belong, and to Him is
our return":- *
*They are those on whom (Descend) blessings from Allah, and Mercy, and they
are the ones that receive guidance. *
*Qur'an Chapter: 2:153-157*
* *
**
*To Allah belongeth all that is in the heavens and on earth. Whether ye show
what is in your minds or conceal it, Allah Calleth you to account for it. He
forgiveth whom He pleaseth, and punisheth whom He pleaseth, for Allah hath
power over all things. *
*The Messenger believeth in what hath been revealed to him from his Lord, as
do the men of faith. Each one (of them) believeth in Allah, His angels, His
books, and His messengers. "We make no distinction (they say) between one
and another of His messengers." And they say: "We hear, and we obey: (We
seek) Thy forgiveness, our Lord, and to Thee is the end of all journeys." *
**
*On no soul doth Allah Place a burden greater than it can bear. It gets
every good that it earns, and it suffers every ill that it earns. (Pray)
"Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget or fall into error; our Lord! Lay not
on us a burden Like that which Thou didst lay on those before us; Our Lord!
Lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Blot out our
sins, and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. Thou art our Protector;
Help us against those who stand against faith." *
*Qur'an Chapter: 2:284-286 *
**
*Acknowledgement *
**
*It is with sincere appreciation that we accept the many expressions of love
and sympathy extended us. Whatever your expression, please accept our
everlasting gratitude. **May Allah richly bless you. *
**
