Tears flowed freely as Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), honoured 20 retired lecturers of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto including the deputy Vice Chancellor incharge of Research, Innovation and Development who was recently killed by bandits along Gusau-Funtua road, Professor Yusuf Sa’idu on Saturday.
Among the honourees were the late Professor Emeritus, Hamidu Ahmed who also died recently following a protracted illness as well as the outgoing Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Lawal Bilbis.
In his tributes to the slain lecturer, Professor Sahabi Mahuta described him as a religious, humble and peace loving person.
In his goodwill message, he sought the forgiveness of all his colleagues, relatives and friends and this elicited tears among his colleagues to the extent that he had to stop his speech halfway.
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In his remarks, the National President of ASUU, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke who was represented by the Zonal coordinator of ASUU Professor Abubakar Sani said it was not the tradition of the union to celebrate university’s management because of the perceived antagonistic relationship between them.
“But this was permitted by the union because of the contribution of the outgoing Vice Chancellor to the protection of universities’ ideal and sanctity in the last five years,” he explained.
He noted that, the union had been embarking on strikes to protect the dignity of university.
“We feel it is our duty to stand firm in other to ensure the survival of the university system,” he said while assuring that their struggle would not be in vein.
The chairman on the occasion and Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Birnin Kebbi, Professor Muhammad Zaiyan-Umar said the outgoing Vice Chancellor Had done remarkably well, noting that, the position of Vice Chancellor was not as rosy as people thought.
The guest lecturer at the event and former Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, thanked ASUU for recognizing the veterans.
“If we don’t celebrate ourselves nobody will celebrate us. If we celebrate ourselves we will be recognized and celebrated.
“I thank God for your life (Professor Bilbis). Anybody that succeeded as a Vice Chancellor should be given a national award. We thank God for the sacrifices of all Vice Chancellors and the presentation by ASUU to defend us at the national level,” he said.
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