Prof. Salisu Shehu

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Prof. Salisu Shehu, has raised concerns over the deteriorating state of the Council’s library, describing it as “decaying and shameful.”

Prof. Shehu stated this during the opening ceremony of the Writing Workshop for Research and Development Database (RDD) & Library Management Information System (LMIS) Documentation and User Manual Development.

The event was held at Freshland Hotels, Mararaba, Nasarawa State, from March 17 to 20, 2025.

Voicing his disappointment over the library’s condition, Prof. Shehu questioned why Research Officers, Academic Staff, and Administrative Officers had not prioritized its improvement.

He further urged all employees, regardless of their departments, to take action in addressing the issue.

He described the library as the think tank of Nigerian education but lamented its current state.

According to him, this neglect is a collective failure that requires immediate attention. He stressed that he expected real change after the workshop.

Since assuming office, Prof. Shehu said he had visited the library multiple times and observed minor improvements. However, he maintained that these efforts were not enough.

He called for comprehensive reforms to transform the library into a modern center for knowledge and research.

Speaking on the purpose of the workshop, he explained that its primary aim was to develop system documentation and a user manual for the R&D Database and LMIS.

He noted that once these systems are fully implemented, they will enhance access to educational research by serving as a repository for completed studies, improve library management to ensure efficiency, and facilitate collaboration between the Council’s library and other research institutions.

He added that it’s of utmost importance to have a well-structured Library Management System and a robust Research and Development Database.

He also urged the Library and Informatics Centre and the Book Development Centre to ensure that all assessed books, whether recommended or not, are properly documented and easily accessible.

Earlier, Dr. Mandela Asebiomo, Director of the Library and Informatics Centre, explained that the workshop was to develop a dual-purpose software application for the Research and Development Database and the Library Management Information System.

He stated that digitizing research records and reports would support policy formulation and academic collaboration. He further noted that integrating the library with online access capabilities would enhance research interconnectivity and information sharing.

The workshop brought together experts from NERDC and other key stakeholders to develop practical solutions for modernizing the Council’s library and research database systems.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Prof. Salisu Shehu, has called for the assistance of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in addressing rising crime and insecurity, particularly the recurring theft incidents threatening the safety of the Council’s office.

During a visit to the Commissioner of Police (CP) of the FCT Command, Prof. Shehu emphasized the vital role the police play in ensuring the safety of NERDC’s operations, especially since the office is located on the outskirts of Abuja, making it more vulnerable to criminal activities. He appealed for enhanced security to protect lives and property at the NERDC headquarters.

“We need special attention and support to feel secure in our location,” Prof. Shehu stated, expressing concern over the vulnerability of the staff and office to security risks.

The Executive Secretary also brought up the recent case of stolen solar inverters, which is under investigation by the police. He urged that the case be thoroughly investigated and that the perpetrators be brought to justice, noting that past thefts within the Council remain unresolved. He expressed NERDC’s readiness to fully support the investigation to ensure accountability.

In response, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Criminal Investigation Department, DCP Aliyu Abubakar, welcomed the NERDC management team on behalf of CP Olatunji Disu, who was unavailable due to national duties.

He reiterated the importance of collaboration between educational institutions and the police in ensuring the security of lives and properties, and assured that the police would continue to work professionally to resolve the case and bring the culprits to justice.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) has inaugurated its Academic Planning Committee (APC) to enhance research and development within the institution.

The inauguration, which took place on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, was held at the Council’s headquarters in Sheda, Abuja.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary, Prof. Salisu Shehu, reiterated the pros of the committee.

He was quoted as stating that “the committee is a crucial committee of the Council to drive research and development activities.”

He noted that its formation would accelerate research progress and play a key role in advancing the Council’s mandate.

Prof. Shehu reminded members that NERDC serves as the think tank of Nigeria’s education sector and is expected to lead in educational innovations.

He urged also them to reposition both themselves and the Council to effectively fulfill their responsibilities, calling on the committee to develop impactful programmes and research agendas that would benefit both the Council and the country.

Expressing concern over financial constraints, the Executive Secretary stressed the importance of demonstrating expertise to attract more funding from the government and development partners.

In his closing remarks, Prof. Shehu appreciated the committee members for their commitment and urged them to stay motivated.

He advised them to contribute meaningful ideas, stating that he is open to “informed advice and quality suggestions and not gossips.”

Earlier in the meeting, Dr. Chima Egbujuo, Head of the Policy and Programmes Unit and Secretary of the Academic Planning Committee, provided an overview of the committee’s structure and responsibilities.

He explained that the APC comprises the Executive Secretary as the Chairman, alongside all Directors, Assistant Directors, and Chief Research Officers of the Council.

As an advisory body, the committee is expected to guide management on academic activities and initiatives.

By Isma’il Hashim Abubakar, PhD

In one month, our mentor, leader, teacher, and father, Professor Salisu Shehu, the Vice Chancellor of Al-Istiqamah University Sumaila, Kano, and Deputy Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, received two distinguished honorary awards in recognition of his years of exemplary leadership, meritorious services, and contributions to the development of Islamic education.

The National Association of Teachers of Arabic and Islamic Studies (NATAIS) conferred one of these awards on Professor Salisu Shehu in a grand ceremony on November 16, 2024, at the Federal College of Education, Yola. The event was part of the Association’s 41st Annual International Conference. 

The note of the Association’s highest Merit Award, inscribed on the crest presented to our beloved mentor, reads, “For your Exemplary Leadership and Contributions Towards the Islamic Propagation and Development in Kano State and Nigeria at Large.” 

Coincidentally, the Bauchi State Qur’anic Recitation Competition in Jama’are presented the second award to the professor on the same day. Like its peer, this award recognises and celebrates the role played by our mentor in the dissemination of Islamic knowledge, societal enlightenment, and mentoring of the upcoming generation. 

Interestingly, however, this second award is both a reward of excellence and a turbaning ceremony of Professor Salisu Shehu as Khadimul Qur’an (Custodian of the Qur’an), the highest title that connotes the peak one attains in promoting the knowledge of Islamic Scripture. The note of the award reads, “Islamic Knowledge Award presented to Prof. Salisu Shehu, V.C, Al-Istiqamah University, Sumaila, Kano State, for his tireless efforts in spreading Islamic knowledge, guiding our community, and inspiring a new generation of Muslims to embrace their faith.Congratulations Khadimul Qur’an”.

For hundreds of mentees and millions of Muslim followers of Professor Salisu Shehu, these esteemed awards clearly testify to the commitment and devotion for which the Professor has been known over the decades. This reputation is justified by his successes in various positions, including his position and duties at Bayero University Kano, where he taught before becoming the founding Vice Chancellor of Al-Istiqamah University Sumaila.

Professor Salisu Shehu displayed an inimitable commitment to modifying the establishment of the Centre of Continuing Education establishment at Bayero University. The centre grew from strength to strength, eventually transforming into the Institute of Continuing Education (ICE) and finally to the School of Continuing Education (SCE). 

Professor Salisu Shehu was appointed as the first head of this centre, which started from scratch. He led a tenacious staff team, some of whom were younger colleagues he mentored or guided, to develop and upgrade this academic centre into a formidable educational unit of Bayero University. The place has already transformed from a diploma-awarding body to a degree-awarding school within one of Nigeria’s leading and most prestigious learning institutions.

Professor Salisu Shehu is a man in whom one can have confidence and a guarantee of success in any project or mission he undertakes or participates in. His years as the National Coordinator of the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) can, without much ado, testify to and validate this claim. Space will not allow us to marshal the achievements this Institute recorded when Professor Salisu Shehu headed it. 

The same can be said of various other capacities and ranks in which he served and holds, such as being the first  North-west Coordinator of JAMB organised for the visually impaired as the chairman of the Bauchi State Qur’anic Recitation Competition Committee (2007-2011); his role as the Executive Secretary of the Islamic Forum of Nigeria; Deputy Secretary-General, Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and a host of other duties including imamship and delivery of sermons and Islamic lessons.

Besides all these, our distinguished scholar is also an effective mediator; all Nigerians can proudly vouch for his accomplishments. Northern Nigerian Muslims still remember the Professor’s role in facilitating the remarkable debate between some scholars and Abduljabbar Kabara, who shook the religious polity in Kano with his utterances that were considered highly aberrational. 

Nigerian citizens and their counterparts of the Niger Republic, as well as their posterities, will remain forever indebted to Professor Shehu and his colleagues among religious leaders who intervened and brought about an understanding that averted war between two neighbours.

As our mentor was conferred these honours by both NATAIS and the Bauchi State Qur’anic Recitation Competition Committee, we pray that he will continue to receive more recognition and blessings in his life. More importantly, however, we pray that these recognitions are precursors to Divine recognition and honour by Allah on the Day of Judgement in the Hereafter.

Isma’il writes from the Advancing Education and Research Centre (AERC) in Rabat and can be reached at ismailiiit18@gmail.com.

By Salisu Shehu 

In Hausa, the word ‘Murabus’ simply means a former or one-time leader. Such a person would either have left the leadership position by duly completing his tenure or removed in some way before finishing the period for his stewardship. Malam Auwalu Bello Jigirya was a one-time Amir of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Kano State Area Unit (KNSAU) from 1995-2001. 

Since 2001 to date, the word MURABUS has become a daily pronouncement in the MSSN/KNSAU family. It was a respectful and humourous reference to Auwalu Jigirya after he handed over the mantle of Amirship to Malam Ado Garba Yankaji in 2001. MURABUS soon became a household name for Jigriya, and it resonated within the MSSN circle in Kano State. 

Whereas MURABUS means retirement or dethronement, as explained above, it means something different in the case of JIGIRYA. Rather than the ordinary sense of stepping aside, it was for JIGIRYA a metaphor for steadfastness, doggedness, resilience, selflessness, and sacrifice, ornamented by tolerance and forbearance. Instructively, Amirs before and after him held the Amirship and stepped aside, but he was the only one graciously crowned ‘MURABUS’. 

JIGIRYA presented a striking trait rarely found in people. He was a very humble person yet courageous. He would be decorous to those apparently senior to him but would also unrelentingly muster the brevity to advise them when they erred. He always had a demeanour of raw honesty, and frankness imbued with a permanent character of humour and conviviality. 

You would never get bored staying with him. He was, in the KNSAU family, in terms of humour and joy, a natural successor to the late Baba Alhassan Ibrahim Dawanau of blessed memory, who would always play the grandpa, entertaining the brothers and giving some relief that clears away monotony and tension when the situation started getting tough and stressful. To the younger ones, he was a friendly, cheerful, amiable, accessible, and easily approachable mentor. 

Since our adolescence, we grew up together in the Kano State Area Unit for nearly four decades. He was the Amir when I was the Director of Education at Al-Muntada al-Islamy Trust. That was when I started getting to know him at a closer range because Al-Muntada supported the KNSAU MSSN immensely. Not surprisingly, because of his down-t-earth mentoring style, when those younger ones established the ALHASSAN IBRAHIM DAWANAU COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY, Malam Auwalu Jigirya made it to the list of the members of the BOARD OF TRUSTEES of the College. 

We, however, became closest in the last nine (9) years when we worked together in the Islamic Forum of Nigeria. He was a strong pillar in our Local Organising Committee of our Annual Ramadan Lecture and IFTAR RELIEF SCHEME. Not only punctuality and commitment made him a strong pillar of the Committee. It was also because of his dependability and reliability in terms of honesty, trust and probity. He was one person on the committee to whom I would never hesitate to hand over the budget for purchasing food items for the IFTAR RELIEF PACKAGE and would go to sleep. One would not be afraid of failure or fraud. 

As an attestation of Jigirya’s leadership character, the Executive Council of the Islamic Forum unanimously approved his appointment as the Secretary of the Caretaker Committee of the KANO State Chapter when its exco was dissolved nearly two years ago. 

In both the Kano State Area Unit (KNSAU) of the MSSN and the MSSN and the Local Organising Committee of the Annual Ramadan Lecture of the Islamic Forum of Nigeria, we will miss not only the person of Malam Auwalu Bello Jigirya but will seriously miss his loveable characters In all In described In above In. Our greatest solace is that we will have dozens of encomiums on his praiseworthy behaviours with which we will keep consoling ourselves. 

As we keep showering those praises on him, we are sure, as was said by our Beloved Prophet (SAW), we will be “the witnesses of Allah to him on earth”. 

Allahummaghfir lahu warhamhu warhamna ba’adahu wa’anta Khairul ghafireen.

Salisu Shehu, Vice-Chancellor, AL-ISTIQAMA UNIVERSITY, SUMAILA, can be contacted via sshehu.edu@buk.edu.ng.

By Aisar Fagge

There were growing anger and threat between the Niger Republic and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) since the military coup in July that ousted the democratically elected government of Muhammed Bazoum. The ECOWAS, under the chairmanship of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, demanded that the military junta should handover power Bazoum or else face its wrath.

Several media reports indicated that all attempts by the ECOWAS to peacefully restore power to Bazoum had failed, a development that exacerbated the already worse situation. On Saturday, the leaders of the Islamic groups from Nigeria met with the coupists in Niger. In this interview, Professor Salish Shehu, one of the Ulamas, detailed The Daily Reality about the purpose of their visit, how fruitful it was and what they have achieved.

TDR: Prof., can you please detail The Daily Reality about the purpose of your visit to the Niger coupists?

Prof. Salisu Shehu: The purpose of our visit to Niger is very clear. The purpose is for reopening, so to say, the windows of dialogue on AMFAS between ECOWAS, on one hand, and the military junta in Niger. There is an apparent breakdown of communication since the refusal by the junta to receive the former head of state, General Abdussalam Abubakar and his eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto. You know people generally across the two countries are becoming increasingly anxious and are becoming increasingly afraid that violence may breakdown – there is palpable fear, actually. A collection of some Ulama felt that we need to meet the president of Nigeria and discuss this matter with him. And, when we met him, we emphasised the fact that dialogue should be the only thing and dialogue should prevail in this matter and he accepted. We asked him that he should give the chance to the Ulama to play their own role, to contribute to ensuring that dialogue prevails and to ensuring that the crisis is resolved amicably through peaceful means. And, therefore, it was for the purpose of contributing to the promotion of dialogue, contributing towards broadening consultations and engagement, that was actually the reason why we went to Niger and to meet the new military administrators in Niger with the view to engendering a sort of reconciliation process between the two purpose.

TDR: Sir, you said the visit was constituted by the group of some Ulama. Can you please tell us about the members of your entourage?

Prof. Salisu Shehu: The entourage constituted of scholars from different Islamic groups and Islamic sects. That why you can see that all the Islamic groups and organisations were represented in the composition. Beginning from the group of scholars that met with the president, foremost was Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, represented by his eldest son, Ustaz Ibrahim Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau of the Izala group, Sheikh Qarbibullah, the leader of Qadiriyya in the whole of Africa; and then there academics like us and other da’awa wokers, like Professor Mansur Malumfashi, Prof. Mansur Ibrahim Sokoto, Imam Abdurrahman Ahmad; the Chief of Ansaruddin, Sheikh Jalo Jalingo, Sheikh Muhammad Haruna Gombe, Sheikh Yakubu Musa among others. These were also some few government officials that accompanied us.

Sheikh Bala Lau was the one that led us to Niger and he was the leader of team and he was the one that introduced us to the  military leaders. We met the military leaders together with the scholars of the same kind of categories we went in Nigeria. So all the the leaders of the groups – the Tijjaniyya, the Qadiriyya, the Izala groups, we all met in Niger. It was such a successful paternal visit.

TDR: Sir, what have you discussed and was your visit any meaningful?

Prof. Salisu Shehu: I can only tell you about the general discussion we had. But, it is not possible to broadcast the nitty-gritty details of our discussion, especially some of the very very specific issues we discussed with them. But, what we actually generally discussed was about the fact that we came as a group of scholars from Nigeria, having been permitted and approved to come by the president. Therefore, we were in Niger with the consent of the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is also the Chairman of the ECOWAS, that we could come and discuss with them as a demonstration of acceptance of dialogue and reopening of communication between them. So we emphasised the need for dialogue. We drew their attention to the fact that as long as we don’t reopen the door of dialogue, the animosity will keep increasing. And, hence, it is not going to be good for us. So, we made it very clear to him that we went there in order to avert violence, to avert military intervention and to promote peaceful and amicable resolution to the problem, actually. And, we also emphasised the need for the give and and take in the matter. That it will do no good for both of them and the entire West African sub-regions, that if both of them were not ready to give something and take something, if both of them maintain extremist positions, then it is not going to be good. And, they actually accepted. They were already told to make some concessions on the matters.

TDR: What have you have achieved in your meeting with the coupists?

Prof. Salisu Shehu: The most important achievement in this regard is the fact that that option of dialogue have so much sufficiently be promoted. And it is hopeful that this our visit has led the foundation for peaceful engagement between the two. So, I think this is an achievement. Another tremendous achievement is the fact that across the two countries, the palpable fear, that was so preponderant, has been allied and the people’s hope regarding the fact they will continue to live in peace, they will continue to leave as brothers and sisters, they will continue to live as neighbours, that spirit has really been rekindled even if it was about to die. People have so much been at rest and at ease now because of this visit. People have become more assured that there won’t be violence. And, I believe this is the most important achievement as far as this visit is concerned. Like I said, there is no reason actually to keep on avoiding meeting and discussion. So, we have to intervene in this way. And because we are not supposed to give specific details, there is no any discussion about the terms of agreement we had with them.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved ten new degree programmes for Al-Istiqama University, Sumaila, Kano.

Professor Salisu Shehu, the university Vice Chancellor, disclosed the news of the NUC’s approval to the press Wednesday.

“10 new degree programmes approved for Al-Istiqama University, Sumaila,” Processor Shehu announced in a message seen by The Daily Reality.

According to him, the ten new programmes include; B.A Arabic, B.A Shari’a, B.A English language, B.A International Relations and B.A Peace and Conflict Resolution.

Other programmes are B.A Sociology, B.A Criminology and Security Studies, B.A Biotechnology and B.A Environmental Health and Community Health.

It was gathered that admissions into these programmes would be made against the 2023/2024 academic session using the 2023 UTM Jamb results.

By Professor Salisu Shehu

The impact that teachers make on students vary in type, magnitude and degree. And as well, they differ in the way and manner they influence students. While to a great extent students unconsciously internalise/emulate certain manners, characters and styles of their teachers, in some cases that is done consciously and deliberately too. This is the fact that I am obliged to reveal as I pay tribute to my teacher and mentor all through my teaching career in the university. In other words, I am hereby proclaiming to the World that Professor Maiwada not only taught me, but he was in the top rank of my mentors and role models.

Professor Maiwada taught me Educational Psychology, Research Methods and Statistics in my second and third years of undergraduate studies and again he taught me the same courses at my master’s degree level. Indeed it was Professr Maiwada that made me love Educational Psychology and influenced me to eventually specialise in it.

I so much admired Professor Maiwada’s style of teaching. Once he enters the lecture room/theatre, after the usual greetings and courtesies between the lecturer and students, he would turn to the board (black as it was then) and write the topic and the outline of his lecture. He would then take students through the outline (sub-topics) to the end. His writing on the board and on paper was not only clear and legible but quite neat and beautiful. It would be difficult to hear students complaining that they did not understand Professor MAIWADA’S lecture. This is a style of instruction that I consciously and deliberately adopted up to this moment.

More importantly, my intellectual debut and voyage into the ISLAMIZATION OF KNOWLEDGE paradigm and school of thought were principally owed to the influence of Professor Maiwada. Two other teachers of mine that also influenced me in this regard are the late Dr. Musa Ahmed and Professor Aliyu Dauda. It was however, Professor Maiwada that really mentored me in this regard. When I wrote my M. ED Dissertation on: “A Study of the Islamic Perspective of Cognitive Development: Implications for Education”, supervised by the late Dr. Musa Ahmed, Professor Maiwada was indeed my defacto supervisor. He painstakingly read every single line of my work, meticulously corrected and advised me appropriately and where necessary.

Although, he surely had clear mastery of his subject matter of instruction, Professor Maiwada would never brag in the classroom or even try to make a show of it. He would, however, in his typical soft spoken manner, deliver his lecture with pedagogical effectiveness and mastery.

Professor Maiwada was not just a role model in the classroom. His entire teaching life presents an exemplary disposition of academic discipline, rigour and intellectual adeptness. Once he comes to the faculty he would either be in the class teaching or in the office going through students’ projects, dissertations and theses. He was never given to petty talks or sundry gossips. As he made his way to the office he would greet and answer greetings with a dint of politeness and humbleness. He was one of our older Professors that never sent their pens on leave. Not surprisingly, he was prolific up to the time of his retirement churning out papers and editing journal articles and book chapters and returning them within stipulated times. It was very rare if not impossible to hear any student complaining that Professor Maiwada had held his (project, dissertation or thesis) chapter beyond reasonable time without returning it read, improved, or corrected.

Though he was obviously apolitical, but destiny conferred on him the privilege of holding almost all academic/administrative positions of leadership in the university. Across three different universities (Bayero University, Kano, Al-Qalam University, Katsina and Northwest University – now Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano) the Katsina-born Professor was a Head of Department, a Dean, a Deputy Vice-Chancellor and a Vice-Chancellor without having to contest at any given time. For the records, he was the Pioneer Vice Chancellor of Al-Qalam University, Katsina. At two different times of leadership interregnum he acted as a Vice-Chancellor in both Bayero University, Kano and Yusuf Maitama Sule University respectively.

As the academic trail blazer that he was he presented, to my mind, the first ever valedictory lecture at the point of his retirement just last month before the commencement of the ASUU strike. Unknown to us all, he was only having barely a month and some weeks to his grave.

He purposely called to tell me about the lecture and the date that was scheduled. I missed it and out of respect and adoration I called to apologise. He told me that it did not hold but was postponed. When the second date was fixed he again called. I made it a point to attend. But as destiny would have it, I got an appointment of visa interview in Lagos on the same date. So I did miss it. I could not call to apologise again out of shyness.

It was only a few days ago I heard of his sickness. I could not even visit him in the hospital because I was out of Kano for a couple of weeks. I just got the shocking news of his death. It was such a tragic loss to the Ummah and indeed to the the academia and Bayero University, Kano.

May I use this medium to condole his immediate family, the Departments of Education and Special Education, the Faculty of Education and the Vice – Chancellor, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas. Incidentally we were both his students, although not in the same class.

“Of the believers are men who are true to that which they covenanted with Allah. Some of them have paid their vow by death (in battle), and some of them still are waiting; and they have not altered in the least”. Suratul Ahzab, verse 23.

May Allah, al-Ghafur, al-Raheem forgive him and shower His Infinite Mercy on him. May He give us the fortitude to bear the loss.

Professor Salisu Shehu

حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ أَبِي أُوَيْسٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي مَالِكٌ، عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرِو بْنِ الْعَاصِ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ  ” إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَقْبِضُ الْعِلْمَ انْتِزَاعًا، يَنْتَزِعُهُ مِنَ الْعِبَادِ، وَلَكِنْ يَقْبِضُ الْعِلْمَ بِقَبْضِ الْعُلَمَاءِ، حَتَّى إِذَا لَمْ يُبْقِ عَالِمًا، اتَّخَذَ النَّاسُ رُءُوسًا جُهَّالاً فَسُئِلُوا، فَأَفْتَوْا بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ، فَضَلُّوا وَأَضَلُّوا “‏. قَالَ الْفِرَبْرِيُّ حَدَّثَنَا عَبَّاسٌ قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ حَدَّثَنَا جَرِيرٌ عَنْ هِشَامٍ نَحْوَهُ.

Narrated `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`As:

“I heard Allah’s Apostle saying, “Allah does not take away the knowledge, by taking it away from (the hearts of) the people, but takes it away by the death of the religious learned men till when none of the (religious learned men) remains, people will take as their leaders ignorant persons who when consulted will give their verdict without knowledge. So they will go astray and will lead the people astray.”

My first sight of Dr. Ahmad Bamba was 37 years ago in 1984 in the UMMAH MOSQUE at the Old Campus, Bayero University, Kano where I just got registered as a pre-degree student and had begun to familiarize and acclimatize with the people, routines, events and the environment in the University. Although the Central Mosque in Bayero University, Kano would always be the first sight of any visitor or newly arriving student to the University, having been strategically located near the Main Gate, the Ummah Mosque may be the first place of worship for the new resident (on-campus) student because, in its own case, it is sandwiched between the hostels and the two major and oldest Faculties of the University- The Faculty of Arts and Islamic Studies ( FAIS) and the Faculty of Education. Because of its lively nature and vibrancy-series of nasihas, ta’alims, Qur’anic study circles and Tajweed, Arabic classes and even sometimes, very hot intra-faith dialogues and debates that may sometimes prolong from Isha to Fajr Prayer time, the Ummah Mosque, therefore, would always easily capture every newly arriving young Muslim student who might have arrived the University full of curiosity as well as,  enthusiasm and zeal to learn. We, therefore, easily got hooked up to the Ummah Mosque. We would only be seen at the Central Mosque, most surely on Fridays for the Jumu’ah prayer.

It was quite rare to see non-students’ faces at the Ummah Mosque except during Zuhr and Asr prayers when some visitors and some lecturers might be around to join the congregation. There was, however, a non-student face that was very familiar in the Ummah Mosque most especially, during Zuhr prayer and seldom during Maghrib. That was Dr. Ahmad Muhammad Ibrahim Bamba. He would certainly be the first lecturer students that used to regularly attend congregational prayer in the Ummah Mosque would be familiar with because of his regular presence. Of course, another very regular face was Professor M. D.Sulaiman of the History Department. As it were, and as earlier stated, the Mosque was very close to the Faculty of Arts and Islamic Studies where Dr. Ahmad belonged. He would easily come down to join the students’ prayer congregation and there was never an instance that he made any attempt or overtures to lead the prayer or say a word. The nasihas, the ta’alims, and sometimes the debates would be taking place in his presence and to his hearing but he would not utter a word. The situation in the Mosque could actually sometimes be rancorous but it would never stop him from coming. He would, certainly, however, observe his nawafil, and would make his way out. I had a feeling but was unable to ask him, that perhaps his regularity in the Ummah Mosque was not just for the purpose of observing the regular prayer but also to keep close contact and relationship with the students for the purposes of Tarbiyyah h. It was later when I became an Imam in the mosque that I realized that he used to invite or approach imams/leaders in the Mosque to make corrections politely or offer some advice/suggestions, as the case may be.

My first countenance of Dr. Ahmad in the Ummah Mosque reminded me of my first IRK Teacher in the Teachers’ College -Sheikh Yahya Abdul’Azeez, a fully bearded Pakistani Sheikh who was to teach me again –Kitab al -Tauheed, Bulugh al-Maram and Al-Nahwu al-Wadhih in Gwallaga Mosque in Bauchi in 1984, after he transferred his services to Bauchi College of Arts and Science (BACAS). That was shortly before I got admission into Bayero University, Kano. The two were the two fully bearded Sheikhs I first met in life. On my first sight of Sheikh Dr. Ahmad in the Ummah Mosque, the memories of Sheikh Yahya Abdul’Azeez suddenly came back to my mind. At that time, Sheikh Dr. Ahmad was certainly in his late 40s while I was just beginning the third decade (early twenties) of my life as a young undergrad. More strikingly, however, the sights of the two gentlemen present to the heart a mien of piety that sometimes made you think of the countenances of the Sahaba, or so we used to think as young people that still had some elements of naivety in our thoughts.

Our admiration of Sheikh Dr. Ahmad was ceaseless whenever he came and prayed with us in the Ummah Mosque and left. But our interaction with him was no more than the Salam and typically, he would wave at you and made his way out or extend his hand for a shake when you happened to be very close to him. The first time I ever had a conversation with him or heard him spoke to me was when I was appointed as an Imam in the Mosque, which was later to become my class where I taught Tajweed for about three years up to graduation in 1988. I was certainly the youngest of the Imams, a second deputy after Sheikh Sani from Zaria. With the benefit of early background in Qur’anic learning from home, one’s mastery, so to say,  of reading the Qur’an could easily be discovered. So, right from my first year I got appointed as one of the deputy Imams. The substantive Imam then, was the late  Malam Usman Muhammad, the Chief Imam of Laranto, Jos, who was undergoing the Diploma in Arabic, Hausa and Islamic Studies.

Still, with the vestiges of adolescent exuberance and obsession for a fashionable and smart appearance, my wardrobe had more of the fashionable shirts and trousers of the time (TOBI shirts/jeans and HARA trousers) than kaftans. Invariably, therefore, the Imam in me would most of the time lead prayers in the said kinds of fashionable shirts and trousers in the Ummah Mosque. I led the Maghrib prayer one day. After the prayer, Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Bamba called me and held my hand to the outside of the Mosque. In his typical gentle manner and way he said, “Liman, yaya kokari”. I replied, “Alhamdulillah”, with a mix of exciting and nervous mien. He then said to me, “Toh liman ga karatu mai kyau, amma kuma kullum ana mana sallah kai babu hula?”. With a sigh of relief, I said , ” Na Gode Mallam, in sha Allah, za a gyara.”. It was both an awesome and joyful moment for me. But what was most instructive was the fact that that simple and gentle counsel not only made me appreciate that I was no longer just an ordinary student on campus but I was treading the path of spiritual leaders, it also changed my life in terms of personal dispositions and appearance on campus and beyond.

A second experience with Sheikh  Dr. Ahmad Bamba made me a witness to his magnanimity. It was in the case of attending his Hadith class for students offering  Islamic Studies as Special Honours. I was not one, so I could not register for that course. I offered Islamic Studies as a subsidiary course, but I was interested in attending his Special or rather advanced Hadith class. All my friends and classmates- Professor Salihu Lawal Malumfashi (present Dean of the School of Continuing Education and one of the Darul Hadith Imams), Alhaji Bashir Sheshe (now a Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja), Dr. Ahmad Maigari Dutisin -ma (Department of Islamic Studies, Usmanu Dan Fodiyo University, Sokoto), Professor Usman Sani Abbas (Department of Islamic Studies, BUK) to mention just a few were all encouraging me to just enter the class and that they were sure Malam would not send me out. On the second or third lecture day, I joined some of these mates while being very scary. I  sat in the class with some bit of nervousness. Sheikh entered the class, conducted his lesson and alhamdulillah, he did not send me out. He definitely saw me, and he definitely knew that I was not duly registered for that course because it was a small class of fewer than 15 students. Later, I want to believe that one of those classmates of mine approached him and spoke to him about me, and Malam graciously permitted. By virtue of my Imamship in Ummah Mosque, I was already a familiar face to him. With a deep sense of appreciation, I must say that that opportunity was my first experience with not only some of the basic and essential rudiments of Ilm al-Hadith but was also the greatest inspiration for deeper and more advanced study of the field.

After graduation in 1988 and having left for the national youth service scheme to far away Bendel State (now Edo and Delta) I did not only cease to benefit from the Special Hadith class of Sheikh Dr. Ahmad but also lost sight of him for about a couple of years. I got intellectually and personally reconnected with him when I returned to Bayero University, Kano in 1991. I came back to pursue Masters in Educational Psychology. Graciously, that presented yet another opportunity for, in a way, to continue to drink from the fountain of the knowledge of Hadith that Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Bamba personified. That was the year Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Bamba started his very awesome, weekly/weekend Hadith Ta’alim Sessions, beginning with Sahih al-Bukhari in the BUK Central Mosque and subsequently Darul Hadith Mosque, a teaching cum admonishment exercise that he continued to conduct uninterruptedly with a great sense of passion, vigour, consistency and rare faith and commitment for THIRTY (30) SOLID YEARS up to the end of his life. Although I was not chanced to be present at the first and second sessions, I would want to remember that I was there in the third session.

In the Hadith Ta’alim Sessions, we did not only learn the texts of the Hadiths and elements of Mastalahul Hadith but we also learnt to be much more committed to Sunnah in terms of faith and practice. Quite instructively also, we learnt lots and lots and lots of the Aqwal ( wise or sayings) of the salafs, many aspects of Usul al-Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence), Qaw’id al-Fiqh (Jurisprudential principles and maxims) and many Islamic religious and Jahiliyyah poetries (Qasa’id and Shu’ara’ al-Jahiliyyah). I would not, therefore, end this paragraph without recalling one stanza of a poem that Sheikh Dr. Bamba used to quote very frequently, in his constant admonishment on the obligation to hold and cling tenaciously to the Sunnah of the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم). That is: “دعوا كل قول عند قول محمد فما ءامن في دينه كمغامر

It would be pertinent to mention here, perhaps also to inform those who might not know that Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Bamba did not only contribute to the knowledge of Hadith through the Ta’alim Sessions. He also  contributed to it through authorship. Within the first three years after the commencement  of the Sahih al Bukhari lessons one of his very scholarly Hadith works was released. That was his Takhreej and Tahqeeq work on Imam al-Bukhari’s “Juz al-Qira’ah Khalf al-Imam. It was a book that I unhesitatingly bought a personal copy and ‘voraciously’ read cover to cover within a couple of days.

For Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Bamba, it was a life well spent. Thirty solid years of uninterrupted teaching the Hadiths of the Prophet (s.a.w) was not just a monumental intellectual and scholarly contribution but was evidence of true love of and for our Beloved Prophet Muhammad صلي الله عليه وسلم. This reminds me of the saying of one of the Hadith scholars, quoted by the late Sheikh Muhammad Nasiruddeen al–Albani in his Sifat Salat al-Nabiyy that: اهل الحديث هم اهل الرسول وان: لم يصحبوا نفسه أنفاسه صحبوا.

The death of our most honourable Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Muhammad Ibrahim Bamba is certainly a tragic loss to the world of knowledge and Da’awah as rightly and as clearly alluded to in the Hadith above, with which we opened this tribute. Our closing words would only be fervent and sincere and hearty prayers for him.

إنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون

 إنَّ للهِ ما أخذ وله ما أعطى وكلُّ شيءٍ عنده بأجلٍ مسمًّى.

اللهم اغفر لدكتور احمد، وارفع درجتَه في المهديين، واخلفه في عقبه في الغابرين، واغفر لنا وله يا ربّ العالمين، وافسح له في قبره، ونوّر له فيه

وآخر دعوانا ان الحمد لله رب العالمين

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. May His Peace and Blessings be upon our Beloved Prophet Muhammad صلي الله عليه وسلم.

By Aisar Fagge and Ahmad Hassan

Many students who go to university do not have the awareness and motivation to understand the need to have a personal vision and proper training on managing their time effectively.

Malam Abdullahi Abubakar Lamido of the Department of Economics, Bayero University, Kano, made this observation while presenting his papers in a lecture series organized by Al-Istiqama University, Sumaila (AUSU). Speaking about the first paper titled “My Mission in Life,” Lamido said:

“Well, essentially, the essence is to help the students with the necessary tools with which they can plan and organize their life, from developing their personal life vision; what they want to achieve in their own life, and what they want to achieve in the university.

“When we say vision, we mean how to help them develop a multi-dimensional vision that covers all the essential aspects of their life – spiritual, religious, social, economic, financial, political, family and educational life,” he added.

Lamido’s second paper was about how students manage their time where he said:

“One of the greatest assets that one needs to move towards greatness is to master the art of time management. I gave them some tools that can help them pragmatically in organizing their time. We use the “Big rock concept” and Brain Tracy’s “Eat that frog and so on.”

When commending the management style of the Vice-Chancellor of Al-Istiqama, Lamido commented thus:

“When I heard about the appointment of Prof. Salisu Shehu as the VC of Al-Istiqama, I concluded these people are serious. Because whoever knows Prof. Salisu Shehu knows him as a man of seriousness, a man of vision, a man of commitment, a man of dedication, a man of mission, a man of good character, a man of scholarship and an accomplished administrator.”

Two students attending the event explained the impact the lectures had on them.

Ibrahim Bashir, a student of Medical Laboratory Science, said, “My mission as a student of Al-Istiqama is to become a medical laboratory scientist and memorize Holy Qur’an.”

Fatima Muhammad from the Department of Nursing said, “Today’s activities are very motivating and educative as well. I have learned the difference between the vision and mission in life and how to use time accordingly.

“As a student of Al-Istiqama University, my vision is to become a professional nurse that is going make a difference out there – someone who is going to help the society and also the people from my state, women especially.

“People are complaining in the hospital that the nurses lack good manners, nurses harassment and others. I know showing sympathy to people in need of medical services is good.”

Other scholars who presented various papers related to their fields include Eng. Bashir Adamu Aliyu, Barrister Ahmad Yarima Misau, Dr Abubakar S. Usman, Dr Halima Rabiu Abdullahi and Dr Muhammad S. Usman from their respective institutions.

Many academics, religious and traditional leaders, as well as members of the Muslims Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), graced the occasion.