MD Yusufu: Remembering a moving archive one year after

The Dantakum Cemetery in Katsina city got its name from a revered saint whose name was Muhammad Ibn Ahmad At-Tazakhti popularly called Dantakum. It was in that famous cemetery that Alhaji MD Yusufu was buried. Near his tomb – to the right – lies that of his mother, Hajiya Khadija, who died 15 years ago. To the left lies the tomb of his elder sister, Hajiya Alaki, who died 20 years ago.
The point he was buried was personally selected by him 15 years ago. He used to visit the place very often and even directed others to pay such visit to the place he called his final abode. From his tomb, if you raise your head eastwards you can have a clear view of his room in his Katsina residence but for a storey building that slightly blocked the view. From the tomb to his house is a 10-minute walk or even less if you walked a little faster.
His house is located at Yaranci Quarters, which was established by the Emir of Katsina, Muhammadu Dikko, for his children. The street where the house is located is called Muhammadu Dikko Road, and the house is No. 49. From his house, you can see the house of his father, Magajin Gari Yusufu Lamba, at the western side of the road.
Alhaji MD Yusufu’s house in Katsina was constructed wholly with red bricks, the first of its kind in Katsina city. He chose the red brick for being strong and fire-resistant. It is a one storey building. The ground floor houses a library which is by far richer than Katsina State Library. Another section has a large collection of archival newspapers bound in volumes that filled another room; the only small room left is where he usually received people – it cannot accommodate 10 people at a time.
His section on the upstairs is filled with books, newspapers, magazines and important documents. Virtually two-thirds of the house is filled with books, newspapers, magazine, periodicals, important documents etc. Same thing with his house in Lagos. Truckloads of publications were taken from his house in Lagos to Dr. Yusuf Bala Usman Centre for Historical Research and Documentation Zaria when Alhaji MD Yusufu was finally moving out of Lagos.
His Abuja residence is equally filled with such printed materials. One of his children even had to squat in one of the mini libraries in the house. He made sure he read all the books that were brought to him and tried to be in possession of any good book he heard about. There is hardly any book written on Nigeria or Africa that he did not possess, except the book was not good enough. He used to get and read any book newly released. He often commented on the contents and sometimes even called the authors to correct or commend them on what they wrote. Most of the important events in contemporary Nigeria happened before his own eyes – from the independence struggles to the first and second republics, the first coup in which leaders like Ahmadu Bello Sardaunan Sakkwato were killed; the second in which Aguiyi Ironsi was killed, the Nigerian civil war, the coup that ousted General Gowon and the one in which Murtala was killed and subsequent ascension of regimes of General Buhari, Babangida Shonekan, Abacha, Abdulsalam, Obasanjo’s second coming, Umaru Musa Yar’adua, up to the time of Jonathan.
He witnessed the unfolding of events and knew how and what transpired.
Whenever you discussed an event with him, he would explain to you in detail what happened more than 50 years ago up to the present time with enlightened analysis. He knew the historical origins of towns; was a collector of biographies of individuals and families. He often made factual corrections to such publications.
Renowned historians in Nigeria have acknowledged him as an authority on the political and administrative history of Nigeria. Famous professors like Alkasim Abba, former Vice Chancellor Adamawa State University; Abdullahi Mahdi, former Vice Chancellor of ABU Zaria; Dr. Abubakar Saddiq, ABU Zaria, and Dr. Patrick Wilmot all recognise his special position in the area of knowledgeability in Nigerian history.
Alhaji MD Yusufu never associated with anybody except those he judged to be responsible, of good character and with a sense of direction. He was well known among scholars and researchers in his country. If he trusted your company, he would never discriminate against you, but rather encourage you to come closer and learn from him believing that one day you will be in their shoes.
From the time of Abacha to his death on 1st April, 2015 I learnt a lot and I knew a little out of his ocean of knowledge. I once found myself in a meeting with him along with the late Dr. Yusuf Bala Usman, late Sam Aluko, Malam Sani Zorro and Dr. Abubakar Saddiq. I looked across the table, looked at myself and looked at the convener of the meeting, late Alhaji MD Yusufu. It happened in Abuja. I was a little scared of the important personalities around. I picked up a biro and paper and composed a poem to remember. The poem, written in Hausa, is translated as follows.
“If you are asked, where am I?
Tell them I am in the midst of elephants
Tell them I am in the Middle of Lions
Tell them I am sitting in an event of gallant warriors
Tell them I became a toddler being taught how to walk
Tell them I am attending a historic gathering”
There was another time when late Senator Uche Chukumeiriji came with his group in my presence and discussed how to scuttle the issue of Obasanjo’s third term in the Senate. Even the famous “Third Term is Real” press conference he addressed was prepared in my presence. When I saw how they were wracking their brains and how they referred every matter to Alhaji MD Yusufu for his observations and approval or amendments, a deep thought came to my mind and I wrote another poem in Hausa which translates as follows:
“History is made through people’s actions
History is built upon places of events
History is tied to the timing of events
History has its makers and observers
Where I am, my beloved wife, history will be made.
I am here observing events, serving water and running errands in this place,
I am taking lessons that no school offers”
Alhaji MD Yusufu encouraged historical research and documentation. He always contributed to the establishment of historical research and documentation centres. It was he who stood firm and contributed immensely to the establishment of the Dr. Yusuf Bala Usman Centre for Historical Research and Documentation, Hanwa Zaria.
Whenever he gave you a book, he tried to find the level of your understanding of the contents. If you gave him a gift of a book he made sure he read the book thoroughly and made necessary corrections if any. He knew where he kept any book or document, whenever he directed you to check for a book or document in a given place, you will certainly find it there no matter how long he kept it there. Any time he talked on events he would give you details as if it were happening right then.
There was a time I borrowed a book from him. After sometime he needed the book. I was in Katsina and he was in Lagos. He directed me to go to Kano and board a plane to Lagos. When I arrived Lagos and handed the book to him, he said you can now go to the airport and return to Katsina. I said to him “Sir, the price of the book is only N3”. He said “if you can get one for me in the market now I will buy it half a million naira”. He said that he was sure it could not be found in any bookshop anywhere and if that one was not preserved the entire knowledge in it could be lost. He further said: “You are thinking of the air fares and taxi fares that brought you here and back, I am thinking about where to get another copy if this one is lost. The author is dead; the company that published the book is no longer in existence. At the time the book was published only 500 copies were printed, how do you think I can get another copy easily?”
When in 2013 I suggested to him that we should establish the MD Yusufu Historical Research and Documentation Centre, he remained silent for a moment and then looked at me and said: “If you think it is necessary I wish you success. But that one will be yours to establish and nurture, remember, mine is the Dr. Yusuf Bala Usman Centre we established in Zaria”. I replied, “Okay continue with your own, and your friends and associates will assist us establish ours.” He laughed.
We have started working in earnest to establish the MD Yusufu Centre in Katsina. Almighty Allah has blessed our effort. The Katsina State Government donated a piece of land for the centre. A committee was formed to mobilise funds and resources for the establishment of the centre that will benefit everybody in the country under the able leadership of Alhaji Ibrahim A. Coomassie, Sardaunan Katsina as chairman and Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi, Marafan Sokoto, as vice chairman. I will serve as secretary.
The last time I saw him was when I visited him in Abuja. When I was about to go to bed, he instructed me to pick one magazine called ‘The Atlantic’ and asked me to read a certain portion of it for us to discuss in the morning.
In 2001, MD Yusufu established a youth orientation programme in Katsina, the Katsina Vocational Training Centre, which has trained thousands of youths. It has become a reference point in the country. The centre is now under the chairmanship of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II.
Alhaji MD Yusufu had lived a worthy life and gone forever. He left volumes of historical documents. But certainly the rich volume of history in his brain had gone forever. We have indeed lost a moving archive. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace, Amin. MD Yusufu died on April 1, 2015 – exactly one year ago yesterday.