Hmmm... I still remember my first car, Honda Civic, 1976 Model, black, one door, with registration number; Kano, AA 473 DAL, which I bought from my late cousin, Alhaji Aminu Muazu Muhammad (May Allah have mercy with him) in 1997.
In 1998, I drove to Ibadan in it, together with the former GM, Katsina State Radio, Shehu Ibrahim Bakori and attended a 2 week course on Radio Journalism and Management, organized by the Thompson Foundation in collaboration with the British Council.
I remember when I was given appointment at the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, and I drove in it, together with my friend, Kabir Abasaya, in May, 2000 and reported for documentation. On our way back, the engine knocked at Kaduna Toll Gate, a few kilometers to Kaduna. In those days, kidnapping was unknown. I shudder to think what would have happened if it were these days. I still drove that car with a knocked engine at 60 kilometers per hour to Katsina and we arrived at 1:00 a.m.
I also recall how the gearbox packed up while going on weekend in it from Abuja to Katsina. I left Abuja around 6:00 p.m. and a few kilometers after Tafa, about 2 or 3 kilometers to Maraban Idda, the gearbox gave up - and it was drizzling. I came out, not knowing what to do and scared out of my wits and alone. Every vehicle I flagged down refused to stop for fear of armed robbers. All I could do was pray and I was shaking like a leaf with fear. I thought I was going to be killed in that dark and drizzling night. It was one of my worst moments in my life.
In the end, Allah answered my prayers when a taxi driver who lived in Maraban Idda came and pulled my car to the village. I left it there and went back to Abuja that night in a bus. The following morning I bought another gearbox, took a mechanic, who mounted the gearbox and I continued on my way to Katsina... Phew! It was a close call.
I got rid of the car in 2001 and bought a Volkswagen Golf.