Listing all the descendants of Abubakar Giwa would take time, but the eldest is Alhaji Mukhtar Abubakar Bamalli, who manages the Kaduna branch of BAMALLI FOOD CROPS AND CASH CROPS PRODUCTION. He and his family live mostly in Kaduna, though they have a house in the estate and visit for Sallah or celebrations.

Next is Ahmadu A.B., a professor at Ahmadu Bello University in the Faculty of Agriculture. He lives in the university’s staff quarters in Zaria but also has a house in the estate.

Alhaji Na’ibi A.B. lives in the estate and oversees the farms. Ibrahim A.B. manages their rental properties in Kaduna. Barau A.B. handles the distribution of farm produce to various towns. Sani A.B., Sadi A.B., and Salisu A.B. each have their own area of livelihood.

Among the daughters, Aunty Hauwa is married to the son of A.B.’s late friend, Alhaji Sabi’u Kwangila, and lives in Malali, Kaduna, with her five children. Yaya Ladidi is married in Zaria, Yaya Hafsatu in Giwa, and Aunty Rabi—the youngest—married last year to Yaya Muftahu, A.B.’s nephew, who works in Kano with Zain Telecommunications.

Hajiya Hadiza’s youthful energy is likely due to the joy she receives from her children, as she seems to grow younger with time. You wouldn’t believe her age from her face or physique. She inherited considerable wealth from her husband, and her family roots are from Tukur-Tukur in Zaria.

Although she was brought to Giwa through marriage, she never left after her husband’s death. She keeps her children united and close to their father’s home, ensuring marriages stay within the bloodline. This is why they all resemble each other—fair-skinned, tall, with long noses, large eyes, and strong physiques.

People often accuse the A.B. family of arrogance, but in truth, they are simply calm, self-aware, and well-educated—both Islamically and in Western education. Their wealth keeps growing because they faithfully give zakat.

To this day, not a single “outsider” marriage has occurred in the family, as they believe marrying outside will “spoil” the family, dilute their resemblance, and weaken family unity.

Though Hajjah can be strict, if you understand her likes and dislikes, she is easy to get along with. All her children know how to please her. Remarkably, she has none of the common ailments of the elderly, such as diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, or frailty. Her eldest son, Alh. Mukhtar, especially knows how to live harmoniously with her and obey her in everything.

Within the estate, there is a large mosque where all five daily prayers are performed in congregation, with separate sections for men and women. Rarely does anyone—child or adult—pray at home unless for a serious reason.

They are all trained to pray and observe the prayer times strictly. Once Baba Barau, the Imam of A.B. Mosque, calls the adhan, everyone stops what they are doing, makes ablution, and joins the congregation—men, women, young, and old.

Beside the mosque is a small clinic, with a doctor and nurse paid monthly to take care of their health and that of their children.

In Giwa’s main food market, about half the shops belong to the Bamalli family, and they conduct their business peacefully and confidently.

All the men studied agriculture-related courses—either Agricultural Engineering or Agricultural Science—at Ahmadu Bello University. The women pursued various fields: Aunty Hauwa studied Quantity Surveying, Ladidi studied Education and is a teacher, Yaya Hafsatu studied Home Economics, and Aunty Rabi studied journalism.

Since her husband works in Kano, Musbahu secured her a job at Freedom Radio in Kano, though she has not yet given birth to her first child.