If Wishes Were Horses – Tribute to Professor Musa Abdu Auyo, by Khaleed Suleiman Abdul
Alhamdulillah, for a life well spent, indeed from Allah we come, and to him, we shall return. No doubt, your death is one of the few transitions that shocked not only Bayero University Kano but the entire academic circle within and outside Nigeria.
The Comrade, as we fondly called him, was an unrepentant freedom fighter and social justice crusader. His uncommon spirit of tolerance and forgiveness earned him popularity among different classes of people. In fact, he is a man of the people, and a testimony to that was the turnout of people from all walks of life who paid their last respects during his internment.
My first close encounter with him was when he and a few other individuals helped me to secure admission into Bayero University. That was about three decades ago, 1993 – 1994 to be precise. From then, the relationship knew no boundary and continued to wax stronger until his death.
I always recall with joy how he facilitated the securing of admission for ten qualified candidates in different departments and faculties whose credentials were forwarded to him by my humble self.
His simplicity and sense of accommodation made him act or respond with dispatch to any request I put before him, particularly on student admission or counseling issues.
He once said to me, “As a lecturer, I don’t have much financially to give, but when it comes to securing admission or imparting knowledge to people, I must do my best”.
Comrade was always ready and willing to attend to you irrespective of your tribe, religion, class, or age. He so much believed that society must change positively through education and the creation of public awareness.
His exemplary, simple lifestyle contributed immensely to our conduct. He inculcates in us the spirit of accountability, answerability, patriotism, and sympathy in the course of the common man.
The late academic guru was bereaved by two wives and nine blissful children, amongst who are PhD holders, master’s, and degree holders in different fields of human endeavors. May God almighty be their protector and guide, ameen.
READ ALSO: Dear Dad, by Aisha Musa Auyo
Professor Musa Auyo was a graduate of library and information sciences from the prestigious Bayero University Kano, a master’s degree in the same field from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, and a PhD from B.U.K. and lately a professor from the same institution.
He was the Head of the Department of Library and Information Sciences, Dean of the faculty of education, Bayero University librarian, and a one-time pioneer librarian at Federal University Kafin Hausa and, very recently, chairman of the Board College of Education, Gumel, Jigawa State.
Despite all these academic responsibilities, the late professor still finds time to belong to associations within and outside the university walls. I remember as a student whenever a symposium is organized and comrade Auyo and the likes of Ibrahim Bello Kano (IBK), late Auwalu Umar and Auwalu Kawu of sociology were to make a presentation, the theatre always appeared too small to accommodate the mammoth crowd of students anxious to hear words of wisdom from the effervescent cum erudite scholar.
His belief in public education and enlightenment led him to champion the establishment of
1- Auyo Youth Association (AYA)
2- Hadejia Youth Organization
3- Literacy Club Society of Bayero University (LICSOBUK), in which I worked closely with him to champion the cause, but it was short-lived immediately after we graduated.
He was indeed a great pillar, a beacon of sorts who nurtured and groomed students and intellectuals within and outside the campus. Some of his students today are professors who are also doing good in their chosen professions. They include the likes of professors Abbas Mai Dabino and Baffa Abubakar to mention a few.
READ ALSO: A Heartfelt Tribute to our Mentor, Teacher and Colleague: The Late Prof. Musa Abdu Auyo, by Prof. Baffah M. Abubakar
I do recall with pride how late Professor Auyo, as a crusader of social justice and other sound-minded intellectuals in the Senate, then saved many students from rustication for merely embarking on a lack of electricity and water protest in the new campus where the Vice Chancellor insisted that the students must be punished.
However, these noblemen men, including the late professor, stood their ground to ensure that no single student fell prey to any form of victimization.
Conclusively, it will be very difficult to fill in the vacuum created by your demise. Your contribution to education, community development, social justice, mentoring, and nurturing within the university perimeter and across the larger society will remain indelible in our memory. We pray to almighty God to grant you the highest level of Jannah, peace, and everlasting Rahma in your grave until we meet to part no more. Alhamdulillahi!
Khaleed Suleiman Abdul
(Sardauna of Gwagwarwa)
08035904567
akhaleed431@gmail.com
