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NBA’S NAZR MOHAMMED’S FATHER SLAIN

African Industrialist Meets Violent Death

By The Journalist

CHICAGO:- The dream is over! The news cut through the heart as a knife in butter. Disbelief and discontentment filled the airwaves. Alhaji Na T. A. Mohammed, a.k.a. Sweetwater had been found slain on his junkyard business site. For a man that arrived in the US with practically nothing, he proved that barriers could be conquered as long as there is a sense of focus.

Sweetwater was found dead Monday night apparently of blunt force trauma to the head. Walter Hughes, 35, was charged with first-degree murder. According to police, the two had been arguing over money.

“I immediately came to Chicago,” said Nazr Mohammed. “This is a real bad time for my family right now. We are at a loss for words.” He played for Kentucky for three years and was a member of the 1996 NCAA championship team before leaving school early to enter the NBA draft.

Sweetwater was the grandson of Alhaji Mallam Soldier, a highly decorated soldier who fought in both World Wars and was a historical figure whose association with the colonial governors as well Dr. Kwame Nkrumah is well documented.

Among Sweetwater’s many accomplishments, he fathered nine children including Nazr Mohammed, the first athlete of Ghanaian descent to play in the NBA for the Philadelphia 76ers, a son Issaka, 26, who is the president of all the business operations. In addition he had two kids Alhaji Jnr. and Samir in college and a set of twin daughters Husseina and Hassana.

Sweetwater was enstooled last year in September as the Chief of the Ghana Northern Union, an organization responsible for helping members meet their needs. During this momentous ceremony held at the Ramada Inn in Hyde Park, members from various chapters around the country and also the motherland came to witness the traditional procedure.

Every year during Ghanafest, an entourage that adored and idolized their leader would lead Sweetwater’s entrance. Proud to be an integral part of the community, his presence at functions marked important and gregarious occasions. His contagious smile permeated all around him and could be heard calling all people ‘Nana’ signifying the respect he had for all. Nana is a title given to a person of nobility in Ghana.

Sweetwater had been in the US for about 30 years. He arrived here just like many immigrants with an eye for a piece of the action. He knew the opportunities were here but how to go about it was a different matter. Back then, there were not many prominent Africans to emulate. The only way one could make it was to learn a skill or go to college. He initially worked a double job and attended night classes.

During his hardworking and lucrative career, he operated a restaurant, gas stations, clothing store, shipping agency, Cab Company, an auto mechanic and a car dealership. He had recently opened the scrap metal shop and was poised to initiate an African Fast Food Restaurant before his untimely death. He was a caring and passionate man who would go to great lengths to help others in need. A busy man, Sweetwater never hesitated to give words of advice. His most famous quotation to date was “Never listen to people who have failed…” He was 55. Forty-day prayer will be held on September 2nd, 2000. More information will be announced later. Call Yusuf Mohammed at (773)374-8586 if you have any questions.

May Allah protect him. Damirifa Due! Due ne amane hunu Na!

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