Prof. Gwandu: History’s kindness to a great historian

Sokoto stood still. Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Shagari, Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Sa’idu Usman Dakingari, his Deputy, Alhaji Ibrahim K. Aliyu, Secretaries of the Sokoto and Kebbi States Governments, Alhaji Sahabi Isah Gada  and Arc. Ahmad Muhammad Sama respectively, the Usmanu Danfodio University community and top dignitaries were among the early callers at the residence of the deceased. In no time, the whole town was filled to the brim.

Gwandu, who was an expert in Islamic Studies and an authority in the works of Shehu Usman Danfodio, Abdullahin Gwandu and Sokoto Caliphate leaders, was born January 1941 in Gwandu town of Kebbi State. He was a member of the Governing Council of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Director Centre for Islamic Studies and the University’s Chief Imam.

Gwandu was a confirmed Professor of Islamic Studies since October 1987 with a First Class Degree from Ahmadu Bello University in 1966. He was the Director-General, Federal Ministry of Education, Lagos between 1987 and 1989 when he was appointed as Vice Chancellor of the University. Out of his usual humility he vehemently declined the second term entitled in 1993, on the ground of ever changing Nigerian environment.

The deceased had been recording a number of firsts in his life time. He was the first Head of Department, Islamic Studies, First Deen Faculty of Arts and Islamic Studies and First Director Centre for Islamic Studies of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.

Late Professor Gwandu was the Chairman National Hajj Commission between 2000-2006, Chairman Zakkat and Sadaqat Board in Sokoto and Kebbi States, Chairman Jama’atu Nasril Islam Sokoto State, Chairman for the Compensation of Victims of flood in Kebbi State, Chairman ,National Council for the Welfare of Destitute North-West and Chairman Moon Sighting Committe which he voluntarily resign two weeks back. Gwandu, with an admirably simple life, wrote tons of books and produced professors within and outside the Islamic Studies of the University.

Professor Ja’afar  Makau Kaura, the Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration of Usmanu Danfodio University Sokoto who was taught by Gwandu right from the undergraduate level said his life was as religiously fulfilled as a one being guided by the Qur’an, Sunnah and the understanding of pious predecessors in whatever he did. He described Gwandu as an epitome of moral rectitude. “In Nigeria today, I do not think we have an authority on the Sokoto Caliphate more than the Late Professor A.A Gwandu. He was, without doubt an embodiment of the teachings of the triumvirate leaders of the Sokoto Caliphate, especially the Abdullahi Bn Fodio,” Professor Kaura said.

In his remarks, Professor Bello Bada, the Director Consultancy Services of Usmanu Danfodio, Sokoto said Professor Gwandu characterized the virtues and exemplary qualities of Abdullahin Gwandu whose legacies of transparency, truthfulness, law-abiding, distribution of justice and respect to humanity has been inculcated in and imbibed the whole Usmanu Danfodio University community in Sokoto.

The Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Ilyasu Bashar, described the deceased as a man illuminated by the light of God, who sacrificed his precious life in the service of Islam with the fear of Allah.

The deceased’s last public outing in Kebbi was in early August during the presentation of small-scale business establishment working tools given to disabled persons in the 21 local governments of the state, trained by the Gwnadu-led Zakkat and Sadaqat committee, as a means of eradicating street begging among them. There, he performed the unusual by enumerating the minute details on the way the committee generated funds on local government basis, mentioning the local government chairmen who co-operated and those who did not. He spoke in the language of the community and was direct and transparent on the way the fund was utilized that the gathering was saying “What manner of such man! Why can’t we have more like him?”

Now that Gwandu is gone, Sheikh Abubakar Giro Argungu, a renowned Islamic Scholar, posed a challenge before the Professors of emulating Gwandu’s patience, transparency and distancing self from the worldly materials in fear of the Omnipotent. We are not short of professors, but lack those like Gwandu. Adieu, Baba, and may Allah forgive you and grant you Heaven as promised to those who believe and do good works, ameen.