Late Prof. Aminu Y. Usman: A pillar whose life is worthy of emulation

The Kaduna State University was thrown into mourning on Sunday following the death of the Dean, Faculty of Social Science, Professor Aminu Yusuf Usman. The professor died in the late hours of Saturday following a brief illness at his residence in Kano. He was buried at his hometown, Zaria, after a funeral prayer at Kofar […]

The Kaduna State University was thrown into mourning on Sunday following the death of the Dean, Faculty of Social Science, Professor Aminu Yusuf Usman.

The professor died in the late hours of Saturday following a brief illness at his residence in Kano.

He was buried at his hometown, Zaria, after a funeral prayer at Kofar Gayan Juma’at mosque at about 11am on Sunday.

Aged 69, he is survived by two wives and eight children.

A Professor of Economics and Head of Department, Economics, the late Aminu Usman was, until his death, a Senior Lecturer and Dean of Social Science, Kaduna State University.

Among his numerous public engagements, he also served on the Daily Trust’s Board of Economists and was the Managing Director, Al-Amin Global Consult Limited.

The late professor had also ventured into politics, and contested for a seat in the House of Representatives of Zaria Federal Constituency on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015.

One of his wives, Zainab Aminu Usman, who spoke with the Daily Trust amidst tears, said she has not only lost a husband but a friend, a teacher and a father.

She noted that her late husband was very religious. “He encouraged us to seek both religious and western education. As his wife, I must tell you that the late Mallam had been a very loving and caring husband who did not only provide for my needs but also took care of my relatives and even friends.

“We have lost a very strong pillar who will be greatly missed by all, because he led a life worthy of emulation.

“I will pray for him throughout my life. I have never regretted living with him as my husband for a second. I pray to Almighty Allah to grant him Jannatul firdaus.”

One of the sons of the deceased, Usman Aminu Usman, described his late father as a selfless personality who rendered his entire life to the service of humanity.

Usman Aminu said the late professor was a promoter of unity and brotherliness, especially among his siblings and relations.

“My late father had been diabetic for over 20 years, but he never relented in taking his drugs promptly and accordingly. But the illness struck him within some minutes, and he passed away. It was really a sudden and shocking death.

“His death has left a vacuum not only among us, his children, but also among his other siblings and relatives, who mostly relied on him for fatherly guidance, advice and support. 

“Our father did not discriminate between his biological children and others. He felt we were all one. So he catered for everyone in need, both morally and financially.

“One thing I can remember that he was unable to accomplish during his lifetime and that was so dear to his heart, was his intention to rebuild and expand the mosque at his mother’s house, which he always talked about.” 

Rabiu Maiwada Adamu, a younger brother to the deceased,  said the loss of the late Prof. Aminu Usman is not only for his children and immediate family but the relations and community as a whole.

He said the deceased attached special priority on unity among all his relations and visited them whenever he was in town.

“Another priority of Malam Aminu is education. He ensured that all his children were well-educated.

“Two of them are now PhD holders and the lady has a master’s degree, all engaged in lecturing: toeing the footsteps of their father.

“Apart from his children, the late professor has sponsored a number of children among his immediate family and neighbours to study in different institutions of learning.

“Late Mallam, as we fondly called him, had served as a pillar to the entire family, whether close or distant, while extending the same gesture to neighbours and the community at large.

“He was a man of integrity who cared for others and could go to any length to support and brighten your future in whichever career you have chosen for yourself, not only in the area of education but even trades, as long as it is legitimate.”

Comrade Mohammed Kabir Shehu, a close friend, schoolmate, and chairman, the old student association of the College of Advanced Studies, Zaria, an alma mater of the deceased, said the late professor was a kind-hearted man who valued friendship more than any other thing else.

“He maintained his friendship and contact with his early friends despite their status in life, without any bias, and was always ready to render assistance whenever the need arose.

“We have a WhatsApp group of CAS old students where he chatted with most of us on the night of his death; that was why the news of his death was very shocking and almost unbelievable to many of us.

“We will continue to remember him as a humble gentleman, a strong pillar of his alma mater, and a rare, valued friend who regarded friendship as a priority in life.”

Mallam Ishaq Alhassan Kauranmata, a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, said he knew the late professor for over 40 years – from the days of their studies to his last day on earth.

“We schooled together, we were in politics together and we lectured in the university together and we maintained our friendship till his last day.

“The late Dean of Social Sciences was a very humble and generous person to whoever associated with him.

“He was a man who catered for the less privileged and downtrodden. Go to his private school, Al-Amin International School, and you will discover that more than 100 students are there on his personal scholarship.

“The late professor was exceptionally kind, down to earth, humble and highly generous. I pray to Almighty Allah to reward his good deeds and grant him Jannatul firdaus.”

Shamsuddeen Malami, a student of Mass Communication, KASU, said the late professor was not only a lecturer but a father to them.

“He treated us like his children, giving us positive advice and guidance. There are those of us whose school fees were paid by him, especially those that came from poor backgrounds.

“Late Mallam always encouraged us not to be deterred by academic challenges but to remain resolute and committed in our courses of study.”

Ibrahim Khalil Ahmed of the Department of Economics, said Professor Usman was fondly loved by his students because of his humility and friendliness.

“The late dean was a man of high capacity and resourceful character with vast academic experience who believed that no matter how backward a student is, he must understand and enjoy his lectures.

“We called him ‘the last bus stop,’  because he was always ready to proffer solutions to all your challenges, both academically and financially. And we feel free to go to him on every one of our predicaments.”

As a mark of honour, the Faculty of Social Science of the Kaduna State University declared a two-day lecture free to mourn the revered professor.

In a notice, the Deputy Dean, Professor Ayodele Joseph, said the vice-chancellor of the university had approved that Monday, January 23 and Tuesday, January 24 be observed as lecture-free days in the faculty.

“Lectures and other academic activities are to resume on Wednesday, January 25 January 2023,” he said. 

Also in a statement, The Daily Trust Board of Economists said it was shocked by the death of its member, Prof. Aminu Yusuf Usman.

In a statement, the chairman, Prof. Binta Jibril, said Prof. Usman was an active member of the board, adding that the members were yet to come to terms with the incident.

Prof. Binta further commiserated with the family on behalf of the board. “We are all in shock and deeply condole with his family. May Allah have mercy on his soul,” she said.