Education is the process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and habits.
Education encompasses formal, informal, and non-formal learning processes that foster intellectual, social, and personal development. It’s a lifelong journey of acquiring knowledge, skills, and values that shape individuals and society.
Instructively, there is no gainsaying the fact that teachers are all levels but in more saner climes occupy a pride of place in the scheme of today’s world. These are prolific and iconic professionals who have continued to diligently, selflessly and patriotically mentor minds, the future leaders of nations and the world at large.
There is therefore the endless need to eulogise their tireless efforts, patience, and dedication that are shaping minds, inspiring hearts, and transforming lives. They are indeed the indispensable backbones of the society, nurturing future leaders, innovators, and change-makers. Their legacy lives on in the lives they have touched.
It is therefore not in anyway misplaced to celebrate one of such towering Icons who had offered decades of invaluable service to his dear nation and the education. He is no other person than Prof. Jafaru Makau Kaura of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.
Yes, he came, he saw and he conquered. Congratulations to the latest Septuagenarian in town, my father, who doubled as a mentor, role model and guiding light.
Baba joined the services of the then University of Sokoto in 1982 as a Graduate Assistant and steadily rose through the ranks to become a Professor of Islamic Studies in 2001.
My life, and the lives of countless others, have been profoundly shaped by this accomplished scholar whose guidance and example have led many to success.
He embodies simplicity and humility. Having obtained his PhD in 1991 with specialisation in Sufism, Baba’s life has consistently been guided by the principles and values of Islam.
One incident that best reflects his character occurred in 2004. The analogue phone in Baba’s bedroom rang, and I picked it up. The caller introduced himself and left a message for Baba, one that would ordinarily be considered good news, yet I hesitated to relay it. I sought the advice of Gwaggo Nana on how best to proceed. At the time, Baba was the Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration. The race to succeed Professor Aminu Salihu Mika’ilu, whose tenure as Vice Chancellor of Usmanu Danfodio University Sokoto had just ended, was at its peak. Baba was among the top three candidates recommended to the then President Olusegun Obasanjo for appointment as the next substantive VC.
That evening, Baba asked me to accompany him to Sokoto town from our residence on the University Main Campus. As I sat beside him in the car, my heart raced. When we approached the University Mini Stadium near the students’ hostels, I gathered the courage to deliver the message. Baba, someone called from Gusau this afternoon, he asked me to inform you that he secured an appointment for you to see the National Security Adviser – General Aliyu Gusau (rtd) next Saturday in Kaduna – the retired General who was a strong figure in the then Obasanjo’s government will spend the weekend in Kaduna.
The purpose of the meeting was to facilitate Baba’s appointment as the next Vice Chancellor, since his name was already among the three submitted for consideration.
Baba paused for a while and then responded calmly, Sammani, wallahi I have never lobbied for any appointment, all the appointments I held came to me naturally and I am afraid of the day that I will account for my stewardship in those positions I held in front of my creator. You see we have a politics in the University; our group encouraged all qualified candidates to apply so that the top three to be presented will be from our camp, but wallahi, I am not interested in becoming the VC!
It is noteworthy that General Gusau is Baba’s brother-in-law, as the General and Baba’s first wife are first cousins. In fact, the General’s first wife is the elder sister of Baba’s wife, sharing the same parents. This relationship further underscores Baba’s integrity and refusal to leverage personal connections.
However, a golden fish has no hiding place, Baba had successfully and meritoriously held several important positions at the State and Federal levels including becoming the enviable Advisor to the Sultan of Sokoto.
Baba had unfettered access to the late Sultan Abubakar III (1903 -1988) whom he knew since 1981 when he received the Sultan’s award for the Best Graduating student in his Department during the 2nd Convocation of University of Sokoto. He is an Authority in Sokoto Caliphate History, and the late erudite Waziri Junaidu of Sokoto (1906 – 1997) held Baba in high esteem as he granted him unlimited access to his personal library during his phD research.
Baba significantly contributed to the society, he gave back to his immediate community – Kaura-Namoda, and the University Community. When the Government of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) introduced Community Banks, Baba was among the champions of the course, he served as a Director of the Kaura-Namoda Community Bank and ensured that the community bought shares.
As young as I was then, Baba encouraged me to use my little savings to purchase shares in the Bank. The National Leadership of the Board of Community Banks under Alhaji Zakari Isa Chawai soon recognised Baba’s commitment and passion and before you know it, engaged him as one of the key stakeholders in the scheme.
We are immensely proud to have Baba as a father. As I often remind my younger siblings, we bear the responsibility of protecting his hard-earned reputation by upholding excellent character and conduct in all we do.
As popularly said, “Behind every successful man, there must be a woman.” Baba grew up as an orphan, having lost his father at about the age of five. His mother, Hajiya Aminatu, fondly called Umma (my favourite grandmother that raised me), took full responsibility for raising her children and giving them the best training she could afford. She was a woman of wisdom and enterprise, a successful businesswoman who frequently travelled by train to Zaria in those days to conduct her trade, while also patronising local markets around Kaura Namoda. At a time when Western education was frowned upon by many, Umma personally took Baba to his uncle and insisted that he be enrolled in school. She went further to support his education with her resources up to the PhD level. Our family remains deeply grateful for her sacrifices and continues to pray for her soul.
Baba’s wisdom has guided many critical moments in my life. On Friday, 8thDecember 2006, just eight days before my wedding, I received the devastating news of Umma’s passing. Baba was unreachable at the time, and after several attempts, I contacted his close friend, Professor A. A. Zuru, a former Vice Chancellor of UDUS and now a National Commissioner at INEC. He informed me that Baba was on official assignment in Kebbi State. When I eventually reached Baba and shared the sad news, he responded with remarkable composure.
About ten minutes later, Baba called to ask about my planned journey to Abuja for the DPR recruitment aptitude test. I informed him that my friends from Sokoto (Prof. Nurudeen Almustapha – the immediate past ASUU Chairman, UDUS chapter and Honourable Malami Basakkwace) were already on their way to pick me up. Baba advised me firmly to proceed with the journey, reminding me that the best I could do for Umma was to pray for her, and that the burial rites would be adequately handled by family members. He cautioned that missing the test would amount to disqualifying myself. Alhamdulillahi, I was successful in the recruitment, a clear testament to Baba’s foresight and wisdom.
I strongly believe in the saying that true knowledge begins with acknowledging one’s ignorance. As such, I remain open to advice on life and success. However, my greatest teachers have always been Baba and his cousin – Baba Idi. Living close to Baba has allowed me the rare privilege of observing and learning from his daily conduct.
On one occasion, a businessman asked me to inform Baba about a piece of land for sale in a new layout in Kaura Namoda. Although Baba initially showed interest, he later declined, explaining that he did not want to burden himself financially while focusing on more pressing commitments.
About two years later, during a visit to Kaura Namoda, Baba sought my advice when his friend, Baba Samaila Moyi (Baraz-zaki), offered him another land for sale. Baba had only half of the required amount, and I encouraged him to proceed with the purchase and agree on a payment balance. After completing the transaction, Baba reminded me of the earlier offer and taught me an enduring lesson: that missing an opportunity does not mean the end of opportunities, and that it is wiser to make investments when one is financially prepared than to strain oneself prematurely. As small as I was then, Baba consulted me and sought my advice, a practice I learnt very early in my life which is in conformity with the teachings of Islam.
Alhamdulillahi for the precious gift of Baba Jafaru, as we fondly call him. He has meant so much to our family and to the many lives he has touched positively. Countless students lived in Baba’s house on the Main Campus during their undergraduate years. He paid school fees for numerous children of relatives and friends facing financial hardship. Allah has blessed Baba with two supportive wives and children who are well educated and contributing meaningfully across various sectors. Four of his children, including the writer, are currently at different stages of their PhD programmes.
As Baba attains the platinum age of seventy, I wish him a fulfilling and successful retirement from service. May Allah continue to bless him with sound health, increased knowledge, and enduring wisdom. May He grant him long life so that we may continue to benefit from his vast experience, Ameen ya Hayyu ya Qayyum. Alhamdulillahi.
Sammani Idris Kaura,
Abuja, Nigeria,
26/01/2026.
