By AbdurRaheem Sa’ad Dembo

Death is an inevitable transaction and it would come at an appointed time for whose time is ripe. It was the turn of Sarkin Gobir of Ilorin, Captain Muhammad Ahmad Yusuf-Gobir on Saturday, 12th October, 2024. The Chief Press Secretary to Kwara State Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye announced the news of his death. There is no doubt that he was an astute family man and a great community leader.

Being a traditional title holder in Ilorin Emirate, many prominent sons of the Emirate have been paying tribute to the late Sarkin Gobir of Ilorin.

The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu Gambari CFR in a condolence message released by his spokesman, Abdulazeez Arowona described the the deceased as a gentle and loyal traditional Chief who has used his wealth of experience to unite the people within his domain and beyond. The Emir prayed Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds and grant him aljannah firdaus.

In a similar message issued by his spokesperson, Rafiu Ajakaye, the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq described Sarkin Gobir’s death as a personal loss to him, stressing that the deceased was his childhood friend. The Governor commended his fine legacies as an illustrious technocrat and administrator who oversaw an impressive turnaround of Ilorin International Aviation College within a very short time. According to Ajakaye, “Governor Abdulrazaq asks Allah to admit him to al-jannah Firdaus and uphold his family upon goodness.”

In the same vein, the Turaki of Ilorin and the Senator representing Kwara Central in the 10th Senate, Mallam Saliu Mustapha also expressed deep sorrow over the demise of Sarkin Gobir of Ilorin Emirate and Chairman of Ilorin International Aviation College. He condoled with HRH Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, Kwara State Government and the entire Ilorin Emirate for the loss of a great leader whose contributions to the community and aviation industry will be forever remembered. The Turaki of Ilorin also commiserated with the family of the deceased, praying for strength and fortitude for them during this difficult time. The federal lawmaker prayed to Almighty Allah to grant the deceased eternal rest and forgive his shortcomings.

Another federal lawmaker, Honourable Yinka Aluko, representing Ilorin East/South Federal Constituency, equally expressed deep sadness over the passing of the Sarkin Gobir of Ilorin, Captain Muhammad Ahmad Yusuf -Gobir. In his condolence message, Aluko described Sarkin Gobir as a patriotic, God-fearing, and disciplined individual. He extended his commiserations to Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, the Governor of Kwara State, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, and the people of the state. He prayed for Allah’s mercy upon the departed soul and strength for the bereaved family to endure the loss.

Hajiya Arinola Lawal, a lawmaker representing Ilorin East at the Kwara State House of Assembly also mourned the death of Sarkin Gobir of Ilorin. In her statement: “I’m deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Captain Muhammad Ahmad Yusuf-Gobir, the esteemed Sarkin Gobir of Ilorin Emirate and Chairman of Ilorin Aviation College. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.

Captain Gobir’s legacy will undoubtedly live on through the transformative impact he had on the Aviation College, which flourished under his leadership. His contributions to the community’s growth and development have left an indelible mark, and his absence will be deeply felt.

The Ilorin Emirate and Ilorin East Local Government are mourning the loss of a truly distinguished individual, and my thoughts are with them. Captain Gobir’s life was a testament to his dedication to the betterment of his community, state, and beyond.” She prayed Allah to grant him aljannah firdaus.

The relationship between Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and late Sarkin Gobir cannot be downplayed as his excellency was physically present during the janaza and the role he played in facilitating the movement of his remains to Ilorin from Kano. A loyal friend is a true friend, because he or she would still be consistently be there for you even at the point of death and that is the extent one can describe the action of his Excellency. The Turaki of Ilorin Senator Saliu Mustapha, former Minister of Interior General Abdulrahman Dambazau, Alhaji Garuba Lawal, Deputy Governor of Sokoto State Alhaji Idris Gobir Mohammed and other dignitaries also attended the janaza prayer, and subsequent condolence visit to the house of the deceased.

Former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki on Tuesday 15th October, 2024 while on a condolence visit to the Gobir’s family disclosed that the relationship between the two family did not start from him. It began from their parents and they, the children, had also sustained it. The Waziri of Ilorin prayed to Allah to forgive late Sarkin Gobir and grant him aljannah firdaus.

I am currently in Ilorin so I had the opportunity to pay a condolence visit and have brief interviews with few family members.

Mallam Nasir Yusuf -Gobir is the immediate younger brother of the deceased and he described him as a patient and selfless personality. He stressed that he always reached out to others by offering help. In his words, “Sarkin Gobir was generous and kind. Sometimes he shared whatever he had with me by half. He wanted the family to shine by bringing everyone together.”

Mallam Nasir reiterated that in the late Sarkin Gobir’s philosophy, he believed they had not leveraged on the influence of their ancestors; so by uniting the family, such glorious moment would return. And indeed, he did a great job by uniting the family. He disclosed that many had been expressing fear over who will fill the vacuum his death might create, because he brought peace among Gobirawa. He prayed Allah grant him aljannah firdaus.

Sarkin Gobir Personal Assistant, Baba Gobir Abdullahi eulogized him as a great unifier. He recalled how late Sarkin Gobir Ahmad resolved issues among the Gobirawa in the entire Africa. He said Captain Ahmad efforts in resolving the issues amicably ushered in a new era of unity among Gobirawa in Ilorin and beyond. He was the principal promoter of Gobir .”

According to him “he took us to our root in Sabo Birnin Gobir in Sokoto State and Niger Republic. He united the family and the people in his community. He was tolerant. In fact, describing his personality would be inexhaustible. He was an icon of contentment, righteousness, honesty, and piety ”

Baba Gobir also said the late 9th Sarkin Gobir of Ilorin served in various committees set up by Mai Martaba Sarki Ilorin Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu Gambari and he performed excellently.

The late Sarkin Gobir was the eldest son of late Yusuf Amuda Gobir, the former Minister of Defence, and Ministry of Establishment. During his time he was regarded as super perm sec because of his approach to work. According to a retired ace broadcaster, who asked for anonymity. He said, “Yusuf Amuda Gobir was among the first generation of permanent secretaries in the country, and that he contributed a lot to the development of the country, Kwara, and particularly Ilorin Emirate.

It is significant to note that the late Sarkin Gobir’s father, late Yusuf Amuda Gobir, late Mutawali of Ilorin AGF Razak, Dr Amuda Aluko, the late Tafida of Ilorin and late Dr Olusola Saraki, the erstwhile Waziri of Ilorin were contemporaries and good friends.

The late Sarkin Gobir was born in 1962. He equally excelled in the aviation industry and in the service to humanity. May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him aljannah firdaus.

AbdurRaheem Sa’ad Dembo writes from Ilorin and a member of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations
abdurraheemsaaddembo@gmail.com

By Sadiq El-Saye

Aisha Sani Maikudi is a 41-year old professor of International Law, and since July 1, 2024 the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja. She is among the 80 scholars from within and outside Nigeria who have applied to become the next substantive vice chancellor of the university.

There appears, however, to be a well-oiled campaign of calumny, rooted in a conspiratorial grand plot, to stop her, ostensibly – and ironically – because of who she is: a young (too young they argue), beautiful, and exceptionally brilliant and administratively savvy female academic from Katsina. On another day these should have counted as the qualities that recommend her for the job.

In this, 21st, century that has witnessed the emergence of a number of 40-something-year old (and even less) presidents and prime ministers across the world, including in some of the most developed countries, age – not accomplishments, competence and experience – is being bandied by some obscurantists and chauvinists as an obstacle to becoming a vice chancellor. The hypocrisy, nourished in intellectual dishonesty, is that these nay-sayers have conveniently forgotten numerous instances within the very Nigerian university system where dashing young academics held forte as vice chancellors (Iya Abubakar and Akinkugbe in the 1970s, Jibril Aminu in the early 1980s, A S Sambo in the early 2000s, J.D. Amin, Gwarzo and others in the last decade and half). In the same University of Abuja, Gambo Laraba Abdullahi was in 1999 appointed VC in her forties, and she was not even a professor as at the time (just like many others before and after her).

The falsehood being peddled by those opposed to Aisha Maikudi is that she cannot be VC because only a professor of 10 years and above can be. That is pure hogwash. The easily verifiable fact is that there is no such provision in the Universities Miscellaneous Act and the University of Abuja Act (the two legal instruments that decide who becomes VC in the university). As a matter of fact, a simple check can reveal that more than half of the vice chancellors of all Nigerian universities (federal, state and private) attained the positions with less than 10-year experience as professors as at the time of appointment. Faruk Kuta, the incumbent Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Minna, was promoted professor in 2021 and became VC less than two years later. Within the last one year, more than half a dozen federal universities have sought to fill vacant vice chancellors positions. The powers to appoint VC rests solely with Council, and each has the discretion on the kind of experience a candidate should possess. Only few days ago, the University of Nigeria Nsukka pegged 8 years as a minimum number of years a professor wishing to be their VC should be on that rank (earlier on, Usumanu Danfodio University Sokoto like the University of Abuja did not fix any minimum number of years on the professorial rank).

Another falsehood being deliberately and maliciously concocted and spread is that standard was lowered in the second advert (placed in August) to enable Aisha Maikudi apply. Nigerians could vividly recall how ASUU in particular (and some of the people now complaining) protested and insisted that the first advert must be canceled (or at least reviewed). ASUU even embarked on an 83-day strike action to press home their demands. Eventually, Council conceded and reviewed the advert to the open elation of many. For two months all was calm – until when it emerged that Aisha Maikudi was among the 25 fresh applicants!

Those who are opposed to Aisha Maikudi are simply scared stiff of her intimidating CV: academic and administrative accomplishments. For instance, she is the only one among the applicants who has been Head of Department, Deputy Dean of Faculty, Director of one of the key centres of the university, Deputy Vice Chancellor and Acting Vice Chancellor. This is in addition to being a world-class scholar and international citizen with vast contacts that she has deployed for the service and benefit of the university.

Clearly Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi is a towering intellectual titan and proven deft administrator. This reality is very difficult to accept by her detractors and those angling to return UniAbuja to the years of the locust.

Dr El-Saye is of the Faculty of Social Science, University of Abuja.

By Bala Ibrahim.

For the late part of Monday, 07/10/24 and the early hours of Tuesday, 08/10/24, the rumour mill was busy with stories, to the effect that, the Cameroonian President Paul Biya had died. Although no details were given on the time or place of his alleged death, because he has not been seen in the public since his official visit to see China over a month ago, the alleged death was easily believed by many. The news was moving from mouth to ear with caution, circumspect and complete carefulness. Everyone was being close-mouthed, because, Paul Biya is more or less seen as a symbol of personal durability.

He was born on the 13th February 1933 and has served as the second President of Cameroon since 1982. Previously, he held the position of the fifth Prime Minister of the country from 1975 to 1982. Despite his old age and long years on the throne, Biya is viewed and feared by many, as a mortal with an immortal soul. In Cameroon, the subject of his death is a technical taboo. No one is permitted to talk about the likelihood of Biya dying. To speculate his death, is akin to speculating the demise of the nation. Such is the kind of fear injected in the minds of the people of Cameroon, as far as Paul Biya is concerned.

And, lo and behold, within hours of the circulation of the rumour, the Cameroonian authorities came out with a statement, banning the media from discussing the health status of the President, particularly the rumours of his death. Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji, told regional governors that the stories of Biya’s death disturb the tranquillity of Cameroonians. “Any debate in the media about the president’s condition is therefore strictly prohibited.” -Atanga. The Minister threatened that offenders will face the rigor of the law. I hope that rigor of the law would not catch up with me in Nigeria. In any case, I am not among the death speculators, I am only analysing the immortality of mortality. Period.

Paul Biya is 91 years old and has been in office for more than four decades. Yet, he is branded a mortal that is destined to be immortal. As Africa’s oldest head of state and the second longest-serving in Cameroon, Biya has been struggling to suppress a jihadist violence around Lake Chad, just as the country is also wrestling with a complex and often violent crisis around its English-speaking regions, including my country, Nigeria. With regards public appearances, Biya is known as a habitual non-attendee at many gatherings of African leaders. He is a leader whose absence at functions is considered normal.

However, despite the Governments denial of his death, his disappearance from the public eyes is now sparking the demands from some citizens, for proof of his well-being and a confirmation that indeed he is alive, as claimed. Since the country gained independence from France in the early 1960s, the Cocoa and oil-producing Cameroon, has had just two presidents, with Biya as the second and longest serving. The country, which shares borders with Nigeria through Adamawa state in the north-east, Akwa Ibom in the south south and Benue State in the north-central, is also strategically located as the gateway to the landlocked Chad and the Central African Republic (CAR).

The history of Paul Biya touches on how he rose rapidly as a bureaucrat under President Ahmadou Ahidjo in the 1960s, as Secretary-General of the Presidency from 1968 to 1975, and then as prime minister. He succeeded Ahidjo as president upon Ahidjo’s surprise resignation in 1982 and consolidated power between 1983–1984. Paul Biya staged a coup in which he eliminated all of his major rivals. Under Biya, some political reforms were introduced in the context of a one party arrangement in the 1980s, before the country accepted the introduction of the multiparty politics in the early 1990s. Biya won the 1992 Presidential election under serious controversy and was re-elected by large margins in 1997, 2004, 2011 and 2018.

Although Nigeria and Cameroon have enjoyed a long history of mutual respect, there is still the unsettled thorny issue of border claim between them and one that occasionally results in disputes. The Nigerian government claimed the border was that prior to the British–German agreements in 1913, and Cameroon claimed the border laid down by the British–German agreements.

The border dispute worsened in the 1980s and 1990s after some border incidents occurred, which almost caused a war between the two countries. In 1994 Cameroon went to the International Court of Justice, ICJ. After eight years of adjudication, the ICJ ruled in Cameroon’s favour and confirmed the 1913 border made by the British and Germans as the international border between the two countries. Nigeria confirmed it would transfer Bakassi to Cameroon. In June 2006 Nigeria signed the Greentree Agreement, which marked the formal transfer of authority in the region, and the Nigerian Army partly withdrew from Bakassi.

However, there are still some disquiet there, because, although the ICJ ruling instructed Nigeria to relinquish possession of the Bakasi peninsula, it did not require the inhabitants to move or to change their nationality. And amongst those picturing Paul Biya as the idolizing image of immortality in mortality, are the people of the Bakasi Peninsula. Is it for reasons of patriotism, or for the fear of fascism?