By Khaleed Suleiman Abdul
Alhamdulillahi 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 class 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 that paid their last respect 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. And 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 to act or respond with dispatch to any request I put before him particularly on students 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 creation of public awareness.
His exemplary simple life style contributed immensely to our conducts.
He inculcates in us the spirit of accountability, answerability, patriotism and sympathy in the course of common man.
The late academic guru was bereaved by two wives and nine blessful children amongst who are a phD holder, masters and degree holders in different fields of human endeavours. May God almighty be their protector and guider, ameen.
Professor Musa Auyo was a graduate of library and information sciences from prestigious Bayero University kano, masters 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 Department library and information sciences, Dean faculty of education, Bayero University librarian and a one time pioneer librarian at Federal University Kafin Hausa and very lately, chairman of the board college of Education, Gumel, jigawa state.
Despite all these academic responsibilities, the late professor still find 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 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 was short lived immediately after we graduated.
He was indeed a great pillar, a beacon of sort 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 profession. They include the likes of professors Abbas Mai Dabino and Baffa Abubakar to mention a few.
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 lack of electricity and water protest in the new campus where the Vice Chancellor insisted that the students must be punished.
However, these noble men including the late professor stood their ground to ensure that no single student falls 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
