On the third day of the Nigeria Public Relations Week (NPRW) in Kaduna, amid intense sessions on communication, governance, and national development, I received a message that momentarily shifted my focus from policy debates to personal reflection.

The Head of the Department of Information and Media Studies at Bayero University Kano (BUK), Professor Nura Ibrahim, had reached out, inviting me to contribute an article to a scholarly journal in honour of Professor Abdalla Uba Adamu, a Professor of Science Education and Communication and Cultural Studies.

Prof. Adamu, a former Vice Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), is an exceptional mentor who exposes young scholars and communicators to international platforms, nurturing their confidence, intellectual curiosity, and professional growth. He was due to retire from the university on April 25, 2026.

The request required more than a simple yes; it demanded reflection. Almost instinctively, my mind wandered through memories of Professor Adamus visible impact in expanding NOUNs accessibility, particularly in Northern Nigeria; of the many panels we shared where, as a keynote speaker, he masterfully deconstructed the complexities of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Journalism; and of his unannounced visits to our office, where he quietly observed how we engaged interns and mentored young communicators. His leadership was always remarkably human measured, thoughtful, and deeply considerate.

But before I could even respond, a tap on my shoulder shifted my attention as another update arrived this time, in person. The Chairman of the Board of Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), Dr. Sule Yau Sule, informed me that he was cutting short his stay at the NPRW to head to Abuja for a book presentation in honour of Professor Umaru Pate, a Professor of Media and Society and the immediate past Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Kashere (FUK).

I had received the invitation earlier but had almost overlooked it amid my packed schedule, which included a planned trip to Kano for a capacity building programme at the PRNigeria Centre. Yet something about that moment felt instructive. Prof. Pate is another extraordinary and compassionate scholar one who not only supports students while they are still learning but also opens doors for their recruitment and advancement. Many practising journalists and communicators have benefited from his efforts in securing grants, aid, and scholarships, often without even knowing he was the facilitator.

Recognising the significance of the occasion, I adjusted my plans and returned to Abuja to honour the scholar. What awaited was not just a book launch, but a gathering that reflected the depth and dignity of Nigerias academic and intellectual community.

The event brought together Vice Chancellors, politicians, scholars, journalists, traditional rulers, and students in what can best be described as a rare convergence of intellect and influence. It was, perhaps, the first time I attended a book presentation where nearly every contributor on the high table held a professorial or doctoral titlenot merely the honorary prefix of Dr. or doctor.

The book, titled Umaru Pate: An Icon of Visionary Leadership, Knowledge Transformation and Impactful Change, was edited by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of FUK, Professor William Olu Adelumo, Professor William Olu Adelumo, himself a former Vice Chancellor in three universities. With 182 pages in eleven chapters, the volume constructs a 360-degree portrait of Pates stewardship from 2021 to 2026.

The review, delivered by Professor Muhammad Umar-Buratai, was both analytical and reflective, tracing Pates leadership philosophy to the enduring values of Fulani cultural ethospatience, discipline, humility, courage, and wisdom. It was a reminder that leadership, at its core, is often a reflection of ones formative environment.

The ceremony itself was chaired by Danjuma Goje, with Orji Uzor Kalu serving as Chief Launchertwo political figures whose presence and representation underscored the intersection between academia and governance.

Yet, beyond speeches and accolades, what truly captured the essence of the event was a documentary titled Putting FUK on the Pedestal of Development.

In a matter of minutes, the film did what pages of reports often struggle to achieveit told a story of transformation with clarity and evidence. From newly constructed male and female hostels to modern lecture theatres, road networks, laboratories, and administrative blocks, the documentary showcased a university in motion. It highlighted the establishment of a campus radio station broadcasting in multiple languages, the expansion of solar and internet infrastructure, the acquisition of vehicles and guest houseseven beyond the immediate campus environment. Perhaps most striking was the pursuit of a Medical Collegean ambitious project that required not just vision, but relentless advocacy.

What made these achievements even more remarkable was that they were funded through budgetary allocations and special grants secured through Professor Pates personal efforts much like the international support he attracted for the transformative upgrade of BUKs Faculty of Communication. The documentary concluded with scenes from his peaceful handover in February 2026, a transition many have described as a model for Nigerian universities.

Senator Goje, who described himself as a consistent supporter of the university, recounted how Professor Pate repeatedly engaged him to secure critical infrastructure needed for accreditation, including ambulances and transportation facilities. He equally commended the seamless transition of leadership at the university. In a system where vice-chancellorship successions are often fraught with tension, the peaceful and transparent handover in February 2026 stood out as a model of institutional maturity.

Reflecting on his tenure, Professor Pate spoke with characteristic humility, attributing his achievements to collective effort and divine grace. His counsel to future leaders was simple yet profound: leadership must be anchored on humility, gratitude, transparency, and credibility.

What struck me most was his initial reluctance to have the book published in his honour. He had suggested postponement, noting that many senior colleagues deserved similar recognition. But as he recalled with a smile, Professor Adelumo insisted otherwise. And rightly so.

As I reflected on the journey from Kaduna to Abuja, a clear pattern emerged. Although I missed the Kano event, the resource persons at the capacity building programme including publishers Jaafar Jaafar of Daily Nigeria and Abdullateef Jos of Solacebase, as well as Kano Police Spokesperson CSP Abdullahi Kiyawa and Dahiru Lawal, an award-winning fact checker with PRNigeria were all students, mentees, or beneficiaries of Professors Adamu and Pate.

This tribute is therefore not merely about honouring individuals; it is about preserving lessons, reinforcing values, and recognising that true leadership is measured not by position, but by impact.

Yushau A. Shuaib is the author of “Award Winning Crisis Communication Strategies” and can be reached via yashuaib@yashuaib.com.

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Is it true that General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, popularly known as TY from the North has dropped a bombshell that Nigerian military and police are complicit in killings across Nigeria, especially in the North and he therefore asked citizens to defend themselves or they would all die?

Was he not the person former Military President Ibrahim Babangida (IBB) declared as the embodiment of the virtues of the Sardauna of Sokoto when he said: “Over 50 years after the demise of Sir Ahmadu Bello; TY Danjuma has virtually picked up the (gauntlet?) from where the Sardauna had left it?”

Was he not the person described by his primary school teacher Dr Adamu Fika, that: “Even at tender age in school, Danjuma had demonstrated leadership qualities of seriousness, sense of responsibility, humility and his abiding respect for elders?”

Was he not Captain Yakubu Danjuma, a young officer in the Nigerian Army who took part in the Counter-Coup of 1966 by taking daring and decisive actions against the killers of Northern Political leaders including Sir Ahmadu Bello, Tafawa Balewa and other military officers (mostly Hausa/Fulani Muslims) after the aborted coup?

Was he not the lieutenant colonel during the civil war, who led his troop to capture Enugu and free Jaja Nwachukwu from Biafra detention? Was he not the gallant commander which President Buhari proudly admitted fighting under him (Danjuma) in the 1st and 3rd Divisions by hailing his courageous leadership qualities during the Civil War for a united Nigeria?

Could he be the same Brigadier TY Danjuma, the most influential member of the Murtala/Obasanjo regime who played prominent role in aborting Dimka coup, and lobbied the selection of a reluctant Brigadier Olusegun Obasanjo to take over after the death of Murtala? Was he not the officer that single-handedly nominated the automatic promotion of Lt. Col Shehu Yar’Adua to the rank of Brigadier for appointment as the second in command to the Head of State?

Was it not Air Vice Marshal John Yisa Doko, the only lone voice against the Danjuma’s imposition of an unwilling candidate (Obasanjo) on the country? Didn’t President Buhari, in December 2017, testified that at the time when Danjuma could have been head of state following the assassination of General Murtala in 1976, he sacrificed for the country?

By arranging and engineering the promotion of Lt. Col. Shehu Musa Yar’adua to the rank of brigadier, above himself, what was Danjuma’s reason for the selflessness?

Was he not the same General Danjuma, after retirement, that President IBB, invited him to apply for an oil licence, only for General Sani Abacha to award him the lucrative oil blocks?

Was he the same Danjuma that is highly revered by Northern leaders who always graciously attend occasions in his honour? Why for instance did General IBB, Sultan Saad Abubakar of Sokoto, Vice President Namadi Sambo, House of Rep Speaker Tambuwal, Prof. Jerry Gana among other dignitaries attend a special award ceremony in his honour in Zaria in 2013?

By the way, was it not the same Danjuma who was bestowed with the top chieftaincy titles by Northern traditional rulers including his turbaning by Emir of Zaria Alhaji Shehu Idris as Jarmai Zazzau on June 22, 2013 and also his turbanning by the Gora of Donga, Dr Danjuma Stephen Banyunga, as the Gam Gbaro Donga on November 6, 2013 among other such great titles?

Was he not one of the very few retired military officers to be well recognised and honoured by universities in Northern Nigeria when he was awarded LLD honoris causa by Bayero University Kano on March 25, 2011 and D.Sc. honoris causa by Ahmadu Bello University on March 2, 2013 for his generosity and commitments to nation building?

I still wonder if he is not the same Danjuma, one of the very few largest individual donors to education and humanitarian causes in Northern Nigeria? Was he not the same donor of N2.3billion at ABU fund-raising for expansion projects and donor of a massive Faculty of Computer Engineering building in BUK before donating $10 million in July 21, 2014 for the rehabilitation of North-East states ravaged by Boko Haram in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States, excluding his home-state Taraba?

Was it not because of his passion and philanthropy in addressing the plight of downtrodden and displaced people that President Buhari appointed Danjuma to head the government’s Presidential Committee on North-East Initiative (PCNI)?

Was he not the founder of TY Danjuma Foundation, a body committed to enhancing the quality of life of Nigerians by supporting initiatives that improve access to health and educational opportunities?

By the way, when PRNigeria on March 1, 2018 leaked a report that TY held over three hours secret meeting with former President Babangida in Minna on general insecurity in the country, was Danjuma kind enough to brief the Commander-in-Chief (Buhari) on the security concerns since they share mutual respect and understanding?

Was he not Danjuma during his JarmaiZazzau Coronation few years ago warned Northern leaders thus: “This is the time for elders to be circumspect and temperate in their utterances; it is not in our character as northerners to talk too much. We need to think more, pray more, plan more, work harder, relate better, and talk less. Battles are better fought and won through wisdom and strategy than through inflammable pronouncements and political tantrums?”

Then if these are the same TY Danjuma that issued the recent controversial statement, especially on the crises in the North, I can say that the North as a region and Northerners as a people have lost their souls to dirty politics of religiosity and ethnicity when other regions have forged ahead.

It is only in the North that a Muslim will kill a Muslim unjustly and justifies the action on the Shia-Sunni divide; while a Christian will attack another Christian over dichotomy on mode of worship of different denominations. It is also a fact that some are referred to as Core Northerners while others are Minority Northerners as if some are slaves to serve the masters.

How can Danjuma who was described by President Buhari as soldiers’ soldier, who sacrificed for Nigeria through his fearlessness, philanthropic gesture and effort in promoting peace in the society, now join sectional leaders in what some commentators describe as ‘toxic hate speech?’

We must rethink on how to put not only the troubled North but Nigeria on the path of political progress and economic development. The dirty political bickering and unhealthy rivalries by those who lack knowledge of history can only lead us to political woes. We should therefore be tolerant and work towards national unity and cohesion.

Yushau A. Shuaib,
Publisher, PRNigeria and Author of “An Encounter with the Spymaster”
www.YAShuaib.com

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