Prof Yakubu Nasidi: One year after

Over the years virtually all of us that were recruited at the same time with him moved to other institutions in Nigeria. But despite the many doors and corridors of opportunities that presented themselves in the 1970s, Yakubu Nasidi stayed put at the Ahmadu Bello University.
Yakubu stood intellectually tall amidst his peers. He rose to become Professor of Comparative Literature; Head of Department; Dean; Director; and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration); and was recipient of many academic and merit awards.
He was an outspoken, forthright and a fierce critic of any person or establishment that stood in the way of justice. Some people wondered how, in spite of this stance he would accept to serve as Special Adviser to the late General Sani Abacha. But in defense of his role, Yakubu saw the late Head of State as a captive of the Nigerian complex political system (especially the June 12 imbroglio) who needed advice from all those who could help to move the nation forward. To him, Sani Abacha was not necessarily the perfect and ideal leader for Nigeria, but having been placed there by God, he needed our contributions on the way forward of the political logjam at the time. Boycotting such a government to him was not an option. He went on to serve along with such social critics like Professor Femi Odekunle.
Yakubu also accepted to serve as Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Gallery of Arts where he made his contributions to the formulation of some of the policies for the Performing and the Non-performing Arts for Nigeria.
In addition to his scholarly achievements, Professor Yakubu Abdullahi Nasidi would be remembered by many of his friends for his ability to relate to the all strata of society. He dominated and attracted to himself through his infectious and pleasant personality a retinue of friends and admirers that cut across ethnic, religious and geographical divide. His gift and command of the English and Hausa languages made him a delight to listen to. Not necessarily an orator but the few words he spoke dominated and held captive his listeners with flawless maxims that so often left the listener reeling with joy and admiration. He was a master of the English language as he effortlessly created and described people and situations. For instance he often created and fashioned out pet names for his close friends and associates. He will be remembered for his creation of many words particularly the Hausa word diginza. Diginza-masculine, Diginzia-feminine and Diginzu-plural) stood for any inept person or group of persons who demonstrated any incompetence in his or her actions.
Yakubu Nasidi was a true Muslim, whose end many would envy. He died on that Friday afternoon 10th of May 2013, while observing the Friday congregational prayers at the Ahmadu Bello University Mosque.  He will surely be missed by members of his family, the University community, the academic world, and his many friends and well-wishers scattered across the globe. 
May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace, ameen.
Daze is a former National Electoral Commissioner.