By
Murtala Uba Mohammed (PhD)

My selection of the metaphor of iroko tree, a giant and strong to characterize Professor Ibrahim Baba Yakubu was not by accident. The decision was influenced by the fact that Professor Yakubu who is affectionately referred to by his acronym IBY, by students and colleagues, is an environment professor, an expert in plant geography and biogeography, and a passionate lover of trees and anything green. It takes little time to become enamored with Professor Yakubu’s unreserved and unparalleled passion for plants. It is not hyperbolic to say that IBY rarely speaks at any academic events without advocating for going green. These guided the selection of the tree for the commemoration of this gentle, beautiful soul who answered the call of His Lord on 11th November, 2023.

A graduate of geography and forestry, Professor Ibrahim Baba Yakubu taught in the Geography Department and later in the Environmental Management Department, all at Bayero University, Kano. He was the head of the research and technical department of Nigeria’s World Bank-Assisted Afforestation Program Coordinating Unit (APCU) when he joined his alma mater as an academic in 2004, after completing his PhD in geography with specialization in environmental management in 2003. Although his first degree was in geography, which he had obtained from Bayero University in 1988, IBY saw himself more as an environmental and plant scientist in a more passionate way above what a graduate or teacher of geography does. This may not be unconnected to the unique engagement with environment, having obtained his Masters degree in Forestry, which he bagged from the University of Ibadan, and his earlier training and experience in the agroforestry project. It is obvious that his relation with trees had made him developed features comparable to them. He stood firm and shade those around him.

The Writer Dr Murtala Uba Muhammad

I first noticed him when we went to Plateau State for the compulsory three-credit unit course titled Fieldwork (GEO 3301) in 2004. It is easier to notice him for three reasons. Firstly, apart from him and the other new lecturer, Dr. A.O. Adekia, all others were known to us as they taught us some courses in either the first semester or at the lower levels. The second is his usual dress, most especially the type of cap and shoe he wore, which were quite unique and fashionable. The third reason why IBY would hardly be unnoticeable was his eloquence and unique oration, excellent accent and effortless command of the English language.

My close association with him began when I joined the department in 2012. IBY was then the department’s coordinator for the newly introduced MSc. Geography.

Although the Bayero University Geography Department ran postgraduate programs, it was not until 2012 that the department introduced MSc. Geography under the headship of Professor A.I. Tanko. For more than thirty years, the department’s MSc programs were mainly in Land Resources, with two specialization: Development and Administration. With new MSc in Geography one can specialize in human geography, physical geography, environmental management,  or population and development.

In 2014, Bayero University created the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences (FEES). The Geography Department relocated from the Faculty of Social and Management Science (FSMS) to the new faculty; and five additional departments were created: Architecture, Estate Management, Quantity Surveying, Urban and Regional Planning (URP), and Environmental Management (EVM). URP and EVM were created with personnel from Geography Department. Only two of the old Geography Department staff, Dr. M.A. Liman and Late Mal. A.D. Maiwada, moved to the URP, while eight academic staff, including IBY and his two teachers, Dr. L.F. Buba and Late Professor Kabir Ahmed, joined the EVM. Thanks to this newly created faculty, it gave the apolitical scholar, IBY, the opportunity to serve as its sub-dean, deputy dean and immediate past dean of the faculty.
In connection with the creation of the FEES, I can vividly recall an incidence that happened during our maiden meeting cum retreat at Mumbaya House, which took place on the very day terrorists attacked Federal College of Education Kano. We were debating on who will remain in geography or move to another department. In his usual zeal to lure some of us to the EVM department, IBY made a statement that I still recall: that the future is in the new field of environmental management, which is an applied aspect of geography, and that “geography is losing its relevance and therefore is collapsing.” A response then came from Professor J.Afolabi Falola who responded to him saying that, let’s wait for the geography to collapse first; “we will all
move to the environmental management.” While IBY may be right that the new has a promising future considering the current global mantra, the older one is still relevant, with new fields such as GIS and Remote Sensing emerging out of it. I thought these differing opinions were caused by perspective. Despite being a geographer by trade, IBY’s education and early years had given him the greatest foundation in environmental management. Given the idea behind regional studies and the burgeoning science of GIS, geography will continue to play a significant role in regional planning and development, particularly in addressing challenges related to environment.
Despite that Professor Yakubu moved to the Department of Environmental Management, he never relinquished teaching and supervising researches in the Department of Geography. While still in the EVM, he supervised many MScs and PhDs in geography, such as that of my good friend, who incidentally bears his highest footprint, Dr. Muhammad Nurudeen Danjuma, and the most recent, which is that of Isa Adamu of the Federal Researcher Institute of Nigeria (FRIN).
Professor Ibrahim Yakubu was not only an academic person of repute, as testified by all those who write briefs for him; he was also a person of high principles and dedication to duty. Punctuality is one excellent trait that one would hardly have take away from him. To IBY, you never agreed on time and broke the agreement. His colleagues and students know this. I recall my time with Professor A.I. Tanko when it became obvious that we could not meet the deadline. Professor Tanko was so worried that he told me, “Murtala, I am afraid if one breaks IBY’s promises, he will only look at you and say not a word, but the look speaks more than what the mouth says.” This tree man, as Professor Yusuf Adamu once called him, was so rooted in his principles.
IBY was a man of integrity whose level of principle paradoxically endeared and infuriated many people. He kept time, which was very rare these days. Whoever IBY happened to be his supervisor, we used to joke, must be ready to bring his academic work in good time and keep to the agreed-upon timetable. I personally know one of the student he supervised that trembled whenever he missed the professor’s deadline!
In one of the elegy he composed for one of his patrons, Malam Habibu Fari, the Hausa master panegyric, Late Mamman Shata, describes the deceased with phrase fari yake mai farar aniya, which means that as his complexion is fair, so is his mind. Even though IBY may not have a fair complexion, at least half of his outfit is white, and the style is overwhelmingly straightforward. His habit and the style of his clothing were highly positively correlated. He rarely disagreed or engaged in argumentation, except when he observed a complete deviation from the truth. Accepting the truth from any party was his usual trait, even if that person is lower in rank. Although my teacher and by far my senior, on many occasions he asked for my opinion on statistics and GIS, and whatever I say, he insisted the student has to follow. This is quite uncommon in Nigeria’s academy, where ego and superiority are becoming the order of the day. IBY believed in specialization and accorded every person respect in his chosen field.
I may go on exploring many attributes that earned respect for Professor Yakubu among his student and colleagues, but for the space and the fact that this piece is not a biography of his. However, it is important to reiterate here that three qualities stand out in him that one combines. They are: the depth of his knowledge in his chosen field, which is unmatched by any of his contemporary; his simplicity in dress and habit; and finally, his principle of keeping to time and promise, which puts him far above many of us.
While acknowledging the fact that whatever Almighty does wisdom is enshrined in it, it is obvious that Malam IBY left at a time we needed him most. He died when the Nigerian academic community was battling with principles and in need of dedication and sacrifice of his kind. His good deeds will always be remembered, including his deep affection for his four children and his dearest wife, whom he lost just two months before his death. I sincerely pray for the Almighty to forgive his shortcomings and reward him with his beloved green, for Janna is glaringly the most evergreen of all spaces where iroko live.

Murtala teaches geography at Bayero University, Kano

Senator Shehu Sani

Usma BABA PATEGI popularly known as Samanja was a Hausa thespian and dramatist who lighted up the Television for over four decades.His tv sitcom,Samanja was a comedy that re-enacted the daily life in the military baracks.The late Baba Pategi used his experience as a retired Soldier to recreate a Tv soap around the person and the persona of the Regimental Sergeant major,RSM as the leadership character.

Baba Pategi Samanja TV series was not just a comedy but a well scripted drama aimed at creating awareness and appreciating the service and sacrifices of our military on and off duty.He also used the tv platform for enlightenment and advocacy on societal issues.His episodes addressed the problems of drug addiction,alcoholism,crime,conflicts and injustices.His drama series is always scripted to plot the victory of good over bad or good over evil and he does it in a way that entertains his audience.

Baba Pategi series has always been one that comes with a lesson and a message centred around the daily challenges,troubles and general duties of the RSM.He captivated his audience by being a man always in charge and always meddling.

Samanja brought to the screen the positive and lively sides of the military barack.The peak of his fame was in the golden era of the tv 70s,80s and 90s when the nation’s state owned broadcaster the NTA was the dominant force in our homes.The younger generation of Nigerians in their 20s and thirties are unlikely to know much about him and his arts.The coming of multiple private tv stations and the heralding of the Internet and social media era has completely changed a number of things including interest in sitcoms.

Samanja was an accomplished patriot who served his country in the battlefield and on the screen.He was at a time neglected by the Military until they realised their wrongs and intervened in his matter.
The late Samanja used the power of the screen and advocated for peace,unity,patriotism and brotherhood.He lived long enough to see through the journey and the struggle of the country he so much loved.He belonged to a generation that fought for unity and was so passionate about the country.

All that the late Samanja stood for,advocated and believed are timeless and profoundly relevant.

We are all mortals,what will matter at the end is what contribution we made in touching the lives of others.Samanja has proudly accomplished his mission with honour,dignity and grace.

We can fondly remember other cast like his ‘wife’ bariki,mutuwa Dole and rafter.We thank and appreciate those of them still alive and we pray for others who are now late.

May Allah forgive his soul and grant him Aljanna firdausi,Amin.
Samanja,mazan fama…so long and thank you.

By Faruk Umar Maigari

FORMER ACCOUTANT GENERAL KANO STATE, DR Umar Yakubu Dan Hassan, OND Account, HND (BAM), PGDM, MBF, ANAN, IFM (Member), Former Gubernatorial Candidate (PSP), Former National Leader (PSP), National Delegate For (PDP) National Organisation Secretary (ADP), Chairman North West (ADP), Elder Committee (APC) Kura, Leader Think Tinubu Movement (TTM), Honorary (PHD).

Dr. Umar Yakubu Dan Haasan was born in Kano, Kano State on 5th day of May 1960. He attended Dan hassan primary School Kano 1968, for his First primary Education and wrote his first School leaving Certificate Examinations from Dan Haasan Primary School 1974, He Attended Sumaila Teachers Collage 1974, Sumaila Kano State, for his secondary education.

Dr Umar Yakubu Dan hassan, after concluding his West African Certificate Examinations in 1979, joined the Dan hassan trading Company in Lagos State, and while He further continue his education at Kano State Polytechnic and obtained his OND in Accounting in 1985 and letter joined federal Polytechnic Mubi Adamawa State and obtained High National Diploma (BAM) 1987. He completed his NYSC in 1989 Served in Muslim High Community Ogoiwoyi Ondo State 1989. He further continued his educational Studies in 1995 he Obtained Post Graduate Diploma in management (PGDM) 1995. and in 1998 he obtained Master’s in Banking and Finance (MBF) in 1998. He married and He Joined Fellow Membership Association of National Accounts of Nigeria 1995, He Obtained Membership Certificate in institute of Financial Management 2008, In 2001 Bayero University kano Department of Accounting Honour him with Doctorate Degree,

On completion of his NYSC (National Youth Service Corp) 1989, Dr. Umar Yakubu Dan Haasan Joined kano state Civil service Commission Under Finance Department Appointed as Principal Accountant Officer and posted to Kano State Ministry of Land and Physical Planning, During His Career as Civil Servant He was Appointed as Accountant General of Kano State Government 1999 And in November 2002 he Resign,

In Late 2002, He joined People Democratic Party (PDP) AS a Result of internal party Crises Dr Umar Yakubu Dan hassan and Dr Abubabakar Rimi Former Governor of kano state and some Kano State Politicians joined a New Party name as People Salvation Party (PSP), In 2003 He became the party Gubernatorial Candidate in Kano State, Later He became National party Chairman of (PSP) in 2003, In 2004 after reconciliation they Joined (PDP) and Dr Umar Yakubu Dan hassan and former Kano State Governor Dr Abubakar Rimi together with some Kano State Politicians Created organisation called (Kano Garkuwa), In 2011 he became National Delegate for People Democratic Party (PDP). Dr Umar Yakubu Dan hassan and former National Speaker and some Kano State Politicians Created organisation called (Kano ina Mafita) later Form Action Democratic Party (ADP) in 2017, Dr Umar Yakubu Dan hassan became National Organising Secretary of (ADP) in 2017, during that time he was delegated to conduct Gubernatorial primary Election in Ekiti State, He was appointed as Northwest Chairman of Action Democratic Party (ADP), Dr Umar Yakubu Dan hassan was assign to carefully select the competent political leaders across northwest zone for (ADP). In 2019 he joined (APC) He Among the Elders Committee of Kura (APC).

Dr. Umar Yakubu Dan Haasan was involved in several decision on key positions in the Kano State government and Politics. These includes, His hard work is the resultant effect of the Transparency and accountability Reforms which took place in Kano State Accountant General Office, Empowerment Across Kano State Local Government Areas. Create Job Opportunities For the people of kano state, Provide job For kano indigens across local government, state government and federal Government, prepare asset liability and capital account entries by compiling and analysing account information, Documenting financial transaction by entering accounting information, Recommending financial action by analysing financial options, Summarising Current Financial Status by collecting information,
Preparing balance sheet profit and loss statement, substantiate financials transactions by auditing Document, maintaining financial security, maintain a current work knowledge of financial system and interfaces to contributes system improvement and avoid failure.