A former Vice Chancellor (VC) of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), Professor Danjuma Maiwada, has died, POLITICS NIGERIA reports.
Prof. Maiwada died on Tuesday, aged 70, following a brief illness.
In 2015, he also served as an acting VC of Northwest University, Kano, now called Yusuf Maitama Sule University.
The late educationist retired from teaching in 2022.
He has since been buried per Islamic rites, at BUK old site Central Mosque.
See some reactions and tributes to Prof. Maiwada’s passing below:
Ahmad Musa wrote on Facebook: “We lose a father and also a grandfather in an academic environment, a teacher and guardian par excellence who spent most of his time nurturing others to contribute their quarter to develop our dear country.
A former Acting V.C Bayero University, Kano, former V.C Northwest University, Kano.
We missed you Professor Abubakar Danjuma Maiwada. May Almighty Allah forgive your shortcomings and grant you Jannatul Firdausi.
You will never be forgotten for the services rendered and your contribution, especially in the field of Special Education, Education, and the entire academic environment.”
Ibrahim Musa said via Facebook: “Professor Danjuma A. Maiwada is well known as an epitome of academic par excellence, simplicity, humility, generosity and responsive. He is both father and grandfather to so many academians, and students. A brilliant lecturer, researcher, former Acting Vice Chancellor, Bayero University Kano, former Vice Chancellor, Northwest University Kano and a pillar of Special Education Department, BUK.
His passing away creates a gigantic vacuum not only in academic environments but also general environments. We really miss an erudite professor.
May Allah forgive his soul and make Aljannatul Firdaws be his final destination. May Allah give us the solace, strengths and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
Aameen.”
Yasir Bala penned: “English was never my choice: Allah used Prof. Maiwada as “a cause”.
When I secured admission to study Computer Science in the then Katsina University Katsina (now Alqalam) in 2004/2005 academic session, Mika’ilu, Yarima and I couldn’t meet our registration deadline. The registration was closed that Monday we arrived Katsina. The Pioneer Vice Chancellor Prof. Danjuma Abubakar Maiwada said “We don’t have vacancy in Computer Science any longer, you know it’s a new course, everyone is rushing to it but YOU (Yasir Bala) can study English Language and we have two vacancies in that Department, I can change your admission letter today. How do you see it?”. My response was “thank you Sir, but I don’t want it. We will go back to Gusau tomorrow Sir”. He wished us well and we left. Few minutes later, his messenger rushed to the ground floor and informed me that the V.C wanted to see me again. I scurried happily back to the office, thinking that maybe he would consider giving me the chance to register for my favourite course. The Prof. Said “Yasir Bala look at me very well, I saw how determined you are, and I want boys like you. Please accept the English now. When you come back for the second semester, write an application for change of course and I will grant you the chance to switch to the Computer Science”. I was highly elated!
My UG one first semester was extremely good, my scores were highly impressive. Suddenly, on that Monday after Zuhr prayer which was led by the Prof. himself, he beckoned me over and directed me to go and write the application. I was happy. I quickly scribbled and went to his office, and without any procrastination, he approved my application and sent me to the Computer Science. Unfortunately, Mal. Jamilu, the HOD Computer said that I had to carry over all the first semester courses of his department which I didn’t agree. So, the HOD sent me back to Prof. I nearly cried for not getting what I wanted. The V.C too was not happy. After a about 2 minutes silence, he said “I wish you could accept the English as what Allah has chosen for you” and I smilingly told him ‘Sir, at least you fulfilled your promise. I appreciate you and I will go ahead with the English’. He deeply breathed out Alhamdulillahi “thank you and Allah make it easier for you” Ameen!
Now about 17 years, but I still remember that Allah used Prof. Maiwada as ‘a cause’ for me to study English because it was never my choice.
Professor Abubakar Danjuma Maiwada was the First Professor in Katsina State. He died yesterday in Kano after a protracted illness. May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Jannatil Firdausi.”
