AN ACCOLADE TO THE GREAT DANMASANIN KANO. AMBASSADOR YUSUF MAITAMA SULE (OFR)

 AN ACCOLADE TO THE GREAT DANMASANIN KANO. AMBASSADOR YUSUF MAITAMA SULE (OFR)

BY:

MUDASSIR ALIYU YUNUSA

NTA ZARIA

mudassiray@gmail.com

Before, I decided to keep mute on the trending issue of  immortalizing the great Dan masanin Kano by renaming Northwest University Kano to Yusuf Maitama Sule University, because I never expect any negative comment against it not to talk of organizing unpopular demonstration, but it deemed necessary for me as a political and social commentator to share my own  point of view in respect to what has becoming the subject matter in Kano. It is really a shame for people of kano particularly the so called students that organized illegal demonstration either out of ignorance or they might be hired and sponsored to demonstrate against the renaming of their university as a befitting tribute to the elder statesman. To me this gesture would ought to be done long before during his lifetime, and the renaming of  university alone after Maitama's name is not only enough considering his monumental achievements as a bonafide indigene of Kano State, this is because even non indegenes  are honoured in Kano, people like Colonel Muhammadu Abdullahi Wase, former military Governor who spent  only 3 years in Kano was honoured and immortallized have State Polytechnic, Specialists Hospital and main road inside Kano city all bearing his name. Colonel Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Olusegun Obasanjo Road, Prince Abubakar Audu underpass etc etc.

However if the above people could received recognition in Kano what about Maitama Sule who is the original son of the soil with positive track record throughout his lifetime?

 It is pertinent to have an insight about who the man Dan masani was for the benefit of doubt especially to the so called university students and other people that only knows Maitama by name.  Ambassador Dr Yusuf Maitama Sule, Dan masanin Kano was a real hero,  the great man of our time, the true nationalist struggler, a man of personable character, intense knowledge, good humor, oratorial skill and wonderful voice with outstanding eloquence. He was among the few remaining symbols of the golden era of Nigeria, the man with great sense of patriotism, who was throughout his lifetime consider the welfare of all, and always places much priority on people's needs over his own personal interest. The late Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Sule is far ahead beyond reasonable doubt to the people of kano in particular, Arewa and Nigera as a whole. Maitama Sule was the long serving minister of petroleum resources who doesn't posses any oil blog neirther he got even a petroleum tanker not to talk of filing station, A generous man who in the course of serving the public decided to accept an appointment lower than his calibre and status, he was appointed as state Commissioner in Kano after serving the position of Minister of the whole country, an incident that would be difficult to happen in the contemporary political era particularly from politicians of this time. The late Maitama got all the opportunities to enrich himself  but choosed to be modest and level headed person, it was his decency that made him to became simple, enviable, popular and famous not only in Nigeria but Maitama was known all over the world particularly when it comes to diplomatic relations. His great achievement was the role he played in calling the diverse people of nigeria to be united and desist from ethno religious bigotry and worked to make the country united.  

His firm ideal and nature of spoken the truth in front of everyone is what make him to be respected by all and sundry in Nigeria, his burial and condolence was among the greatest among others where most prominent people from every nooks and  crannies of Nigeria and beyond trooped to Kano to show their heartfelt over the great lost. The late Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Sule Dan Masanin Kano was the man of every time, a grandfather, father and a friend of all who spent his time serving the masses right from his school age up to the time he answered a true call. His last appointment was a permanent member in the United Nation. He was a philanthropist and reputable person who until his demise remained an important figure in the society.

The news of his demise broke out  Monday morning, 3rd July 2016, a story that seriously shocked many people and government in Nigeria and beyond. What make me amazed was how some people are shamelessly opposing the honor accorded to this great national hero by Kano State Government. Even the decision by Kano state government to set aside Tueday 4th July to be work free day was unjustifiably opposed by some people for what I consider as gross selfishness and greediness. However, the renaming of Northwest University Kano after his name is the first among many deserving reputations as a reciprocal to his selfless services to humanity. I hope the Federal Government will emulate this gesture done by Kano State to honour the late Yusuf Maitama Sule, he deserve to be honoured with his portrait on Nigerian currency as done to Balewa, Zik, awolowo, Sardauna and the rest.

 Allah ya jikan Dr.Yusuf Maitama Sule.

   Mudassir write from NTA Zaria.