A book titled: Muhammad Dikko Yusuf 1931-2015, Tribute to a man of many worlds. Jointly published by Centre for Democratic Development Research and Training (CEDDERT) and the Abdullahi Smith Centre for Historical Research (ASCHR) was compiled, published and presented to the public barely forty days of Alhaji MD Yusufu’s Demise.
Dr. Abubakar Saddique Muhammad who introduced the book on behalf of the two centres explained that they labored within the forty days to gather relevant write ups and condolence published in the media which they used in producing the book.
It was truly observed that the write ups, the newspapers editorials and the numerous condolences published in the local and international media were unprecedented in the history of tributes and condolences in this country.
The write ups emanated from people who knew him very well, who lived with him, who worked with him and narrated their experiences. Some of the narratives were not known until after his death. This reflected his policy as he often said “The history of a man should be told after his death”
Anybody who had any contact with him will tell you that Alhaji MD Yusufu was a great personality who had good intentions and ideas that benefited the society and throughout his life he always insisted in putting knowledge and ideas into actions. He made sure any good idea that come to him was translated into reality and in practicable terms.
MD Yusufu was a strong advocate of a one united and indivisible Nation. This is why the contributions he gave in Uniting the country and ensuring that the did not disintegrate during the civil war was next to none.
In the area of National Security and Intelligence, the Former Military Head of State General Yakubu Gowon had this to say during the launching of the Biography of Alhaji MD Yusufu Tittle: “Nagartar Cikin Aminci” which was launched in Arewa House Kaduna on 11/12/2014: the Contribution he gave during the Nigerian Civil war helped in reducing bloodshed, and brought about the speedy cessation of hostilities that helped in bringing the war to an end. He had many sources of receiving intelligence reports.
While soldiers were at the battle field, he and his boys were busy gathering relevant information and planning how to bring an end to the war,” He was among the people of South East and South- South , who knew him had tremendous respect for and always hastened to. They always acknowledge his contributions towards their development.
In some tributary contributions that appeared in a book titled: “Tributes to a man of many worlds”, it was mentioned that France was about to announce its mention of the Nation of Biafra which would have made many European countries to also recognize Biafra, an action that could have resulted to the division of Nigeria into two countries, or at least prolong the war.
It was MD Yusufu who initiated and led a powerful delegation to France and lobbied the French Government against the decision. The French parliament under the regime of Charles de gualle was about to sit and pass the motion of recognition when the team passes the motion MD Yusufu successfully intervened.
His strong objection to break up of nation on selfish grounds led him to playing some roles in preventing the breakup of Lebanon in the Middle East. He once told his writer that, “We were in Egypt when we heard the news that Lebanon was about to be split into two, and those planning the break up have succeeded in reaching but to the American Legislature which was about to cast Vote on the issue which might result into other nations following suit. We strongly objected to that, did our own part, and we thank God Lebanon is still intact as one indivisible nation.
In the book “Tributes to a man of many worlds” contributors like Patrick Wilmot, Lindsay Barret, Owei Lakemfa, Saidu Adamu, Abubakar Siddique Muhammad and Alkasim Abba, All explained how his efforts helped in charting a course for Nigeria towards helping in charting achieve independence, and it was he who closely monitored the strict implementation of the plan that led to the achievement of success. That effort led to the establishment of a news magazine “Afri Scope: in which Late Uche Chukwumeriji Served as editor. This goes to show how MD Yusufu interacts with people and his influence upon them. Uche Chukwumeriji was the Biafran Chief Propagandist advocating Nigeria’s break up, but later worked under MD Yusufu working tirelessly for the freedom of Southan and eastern African Countries. It was through MD Yusufu’s plan that some African Nations achieved independence. African nationalism and patriotism was boosted for African Development in the heart of all Africans. The love for African continent was at its peak.
The writers narrated how MD Yusufu guided the Murtala Administration in convincing African Nations that had come of age, and as independent Sovereign Nations should not be dictated upon or subjugated. Even in that very famous speech delivered by General Murtala which had significant impact “Africa has come of age”, Alhaji MD Yusufu had great input, and he was sitting close to the Late General when he was about to deliver the speech.
MD Yusufu had indeed contributed a lot to the development of Nigeria, Africa and the world. His contribution cannot be exhaustive in this small writer up, but it is glaringly clear that anytime anybody is writing about him, you are bound to come across new narratives that were not known before.
He once told this writer that “Most of the work and effort executed during the Nigerian civil war and the struggle for the emancipation of Africa and its people which led to the independence of some countries were done with the assistance of Ambassador Aminu Sanusi the Chiroman Kano at that time who happened to be the father of the current Emir of Kano Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II”.
MD Yusufu was very passionate about documenting historical record for future generation. It was because of that passion that he devoted a lot of his time and resources in establishing the Yusuf Bala USman Historical Documentation Centre (Popularly Known as CEDDERT) in Zaria, Kaduna State. The centre has a large collection of historical books and documents which late Dr. Yusuf Bala Usman took many years to gather. It also has many renown Scholars under its services.
It was when he was still alive that he initiated and encouraged the establishment of MD Yusufu Research and Documentation Centre which had already secured a plot of land in Katsina. Presently there is a large collection of historical documents, Journals Newspapers, Magazines that took MD Yusufu more than 60 years to personally collect.
He entrusted the project to the care of Sardaunan Katsina Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Coomassie and Late Alhaji Umaru Aliyu Shinkafi (Marafan Sokoto) when the former was still alive.
MD Yusufu had developed special interest in Youth Empowerment and development. In the year 2001 he established the Katsina Vocational Skills as was as Lectures on self reliance and Purposeful living. He used to tell this writer: “Let us start something that will be exemplary with significant impact.” At the inception of the program, trainees were even given allowances to encourage them.
The programmes of the centre proved to be useful and exemplary which made some politician and state governments to copy the system. Katsina state Government has been supporting initiative since its inception.
Before his death, Alhaji MD Yusufu wrote a letter to His Highness the Emir of Kano Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, appointing him as the chairman of the centre. While reading the printed copy of the letter before signing it, he remarked that “The Emir of Kano Muhammad Sanusi II is a noble and patriotic personality, who as the chairman of the centre will never let the centre suffer or fold up.”
MD Yusufu was a strong supporter of democracy who advocates the establishment of democratic government with strong opposition parties that will check the excesses of the ruling class. He had been involved in students’ Unionism as early as his school days. The first political party he joined was NEPU in 1951. When he left Government in 1979 he joined PRP. He was known to have voiced his opinion at different times that “Nigerian Development in the Democratic dispensation lies in the Civilian Government with very strong opposition parties that will always put the Government under very close check.
May Allah bless his Soul and make his contributions and legacies highly beneficial to all.
Muhammad Danjuma Katsina
Author/Journalist, Secretary MDyusufu Research and Documentation Centre
Recipient of Katsina 2016; Hero’s Award
08035904408, E-Mail: mdanjumakatsina@gmail.com
