By Mikailu Barau
Usmanu Danfodiyo University, academic community, Nigeria and humanity would miss the resourceful and humane disposition of Prof. Yusuf Saidu whom I just learnt was lost to an attack by bandits on the deadly highway of Zamfara around Kucheri. Although we are generations and discipline apart, I had good reasons to engage with his responsive and unassuming persona.
Sometimes in February after a meeting at the Federal Ministry of Education, I wanted to clarify a point on research partnership in relation to UDUS. After speaking with Prof. Aminu Bayawa and Prof. Aminu Yabo, the decision was that an ultimate clarification rests with Prof. Saidu. I reached out to him and got all the context. After that, I informed him about the British Council Regional Higher Education conference (aka Going Global) to be hosted by Nigeria later in the year and promised to keep in touch for his participation as available!
Also, when a contact from TETFUND reached out to me about the inspection of a sub-regional publishing plant being constructed at UDUS sometime in 2023, Prof. Saidu was mentioned as go-to and he was all available to speak to the contact and provide the information they needed.
About a decade and half also when Dr. Hussaini Mango of blessed memory made a public presentation. In the usual hailing mood by students on the presentation, I asked a question that was challenging to the methodology of the paper and by implications its conclusion -forgot exactly what. The presenter attempted responding in a way that I was not satisfied. Immediately, I got a tap on my shoulder saying “your question was not answered” only to turn and see that it was Prof. Saidu giving that consoling response.
While UDUS lost many great academics in recent times, that of Prof. Yusuf Saidu announced today as well as Prof. Lawali Abubakar and Prof. Muhammad Bello Agaie a few years back around COVID will continue to resonate given their relative prime age as well as national promise and prominence.
While ASUU struggles on the welfare of its members, significant attention should also be paid to their well-being and safety. During Eidel Kabir, when flights were tough to find and my advance booking happened to be erroneously on Sallah Day, I contemplated going to Abuja by road flying the same Kucheri Road where Prof. Saidu was killed. It was the brotherly effort and persistence of Bashir Achida that secured a flight for me. While what is destined to happen should happen, more duty of care to our dear ones on safety is timely at personal and institutional level. No trip is so urgent relative to the risk of time and means.
My bleeding heart praying for the repose of the truly gentle soul of Prof. Yusuf Saidu.
