By Kehinde Erin
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has paid tribute to the late Professor Nuhu Omeiza Yaqub, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja.
This was contained in a statement by Ismaila Isah, Special Adviser on Media to the Governor in Lokoja, the state capital recently.
Governor Ododo, who described Professor Yaqub’s death as a tremendous loss, not only for Kogi State but Nigeria as a whole, said he was an influential voice who spoke truth to power and fought against oppressive tendencies.
The Governor sympathised with the Ohinoyi of Ebira land, the people of Kogi State, and Professor Yaqub’s immediate family, praying for the peaceful repose of his soul and for Allah to grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss.
He offered heartfelt prayers for the late Professor Yaqub, seeking a peaceful repose for his soul. He also prayed to Allah to grant the family the strength and resilience needed to cope with their loss.
Professor Nuhu Yaqub was born on March 3, 1951, in Okene, Kogi State. Throughout his illustrious career, he held various prestigious positions, including serving as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja from 2004 to 2009 and later as the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Sokoto State University from 2012 to 2017.
His impressive academic career includes his tenure as the Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies at Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja, a position he held from 2017 to 2019. This role was just one of many academic leadership positions he occupied throughout his distinguished career.
Professor Nuhu Yaqub passed away on Saturday, January 4, 2025, in Abuja, at the age of 73, following a brief illness. In accordance with Islamic tradition, his remains was laid to rest at the Gudu Cemetery in Abuja.