Death is an eternal sentence without apology. Certain pains never go away. One example is the loss of someone you care about or love. No words, no matter how wonderfully worded, can soothe GAWAT’s family, particularly the mother of deceased Rukayat Gawat, who has yet to recover from the loss of her husband. Death is more than a leveller. It’s more than a lesson. It is also a test of faith and a reminder that we cannot live forever.
Even religious guys who routinely discuss death experience terror when it occurs without apology. Who defines faith in the face of death? Those that preach about death do so to further their religious beliefs. They don’t want to leave Earth, no matter how gorgeous the heavens they propagate seem. We call the world vain, but we still grieve when our loved ones leave. We love luxuries so much that we forget we are just tenants, and no matter how well-behaved a tenant is, he or she must eventually leave the house.
Writing memorials to the deceased, especially young people, is an emotional task. You can get lost in contemplation. For three days, I couldn’t think of anything to write. Rukayat Gawat, the deceased, was a well-known Islamic singer who was quite active on social media. She undoubtedly has a good amount of information, but I was unable to write. Later, I noticed that the main problem was how to write a memorial to a 39-year-old woman whose beloved father went missing 12 years ago and died with the hope that he could still be found.
Before I began composing Rukayat Gawat’s memorial, I searched the internet, and the first video I found exacerbated my predicament. She was singing Aro, a grief song, and requesting people to help her find her missing father, Alhaji Aremu Abdulrazaq Gawat, a frontline Islamic programming presenter on NTA. It is preferable for a loved one to be dead than missing. When someone dies, you can be comforted by his or her memories or legacy. However, when someone goes missing, you will be pursued or hunted by the potential of his return.
Rukayat Gawat’s death is a devastating loss for the Islamic Music sector and the Nigerian entertainment sector in general. Rukayat did not rise to prominence quickly, despite the fact that her father was a well-known broadcaster in Lagos. She sought, worked, and strived for fame. In an interview, she described how her father frowned upon her decision to enter the music profession. She also revealed that her father agreed and supported her briefly before he went missing.
She was a popular Nigerian Islamic singer. She was well-known for her seductive voice and songs about religion, home, and social issues that struck a chord with many Muslims. She carved a space for herself in a community of well-known and highly positioned singers, including Alhaji Saoti Arewa, Alhaja Kafayat Singer, Alhaja BarryMade, Alhaja Teminisuccess, Alhaji Kamoludeen Aiyeloyun, Basirat Basirimi, and Alhaji Wasiu Sodiq. She was the first child of Alhaji Aremu Abdulrazaq Gawat.
As painful as her death may be, her legacies and accomplishments in a brief life are comforting. When you depart this world and your memories continue to cage or jail people’s minds, you have lived well.
EARLY LIFE
Rukayat Gawat was born on January 1, 1985, in the historic Isale-Eko area of Lagos State, Nigeria. She was the first child of the renowned broadcaster Alhaji Rasaq Gawat and Alhaja Gawat. Growing up in a family deeply rooted in Islamic values, Rukayat developed a strong connection to her faith from an early age.
EDUCATION
She attended primary and secondary schools in Lagos before proceeding to the University of Lagos, where she studied mass communication. Her education played a significant role in shaping her career, providing her with the skills needed to excel in the music industry.
MARITAL LIFE
Rukayat was married to Shakiru Oyefeso, and their union was blessed with two children.
CAREER
Rukayat’s journey into the world of Islamic music began in 2015, following the mysterious disappearance of her father in 2012.
Her debut song, “Aye Le,” which reflected on her father’s disappearance, quickly gained popularity and established her as a prominent figure in the Islamic music scene.
Over the years, Rukayat released several hit songs that resonated with her audience. Her music was characterized by its spiritual depth, melodious tunes, and meaningful lyrics.
She received numerous awards, including the City People Magazine’s Best Female Islamic Musician award in 2016 and the Best Islamic Artist award in 2017.
DEATH
Rukayat Gawat died at the age of 39 after a brief illness. She passed away on September 24, 2024. She has been buried in her husband’s hometown in Ijebu-Aiyepe, Ogun State.