By Ken Afor
Northern governors have described late Prof. Umaru Shehu as a beacon of knowledge who has contributed immensely to the country’s academia.
In a statement by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, also Chairman of Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), Prof. Shehu’s demise will be greatly felt particularly in the lives of those he impacted, the institutions he taught, the entire northern region and the global academic community.
“Professor Emeritus Umaru Shehu was not just a name but a repository of wisdom, a beacon of knowledge, and an embodiment of dedication to his people and country.
Governor Yahaya said that, “His illustrious career in several universities, including the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Ahmadu Bello University, (ABU), Zaria, the University of Maiduguri, as well as his role as a co-founder of the Borno Elders Forum and the Kanem Borno Historical and Cultural Foundation have left an indelible mark on our society.
“A towering figure in academia, Professor Shehu’s contributions as the President of the Nigerian Academy of Science and his distinguished position as Professor Emeritus of Community Health at the University of Maiduguri have indeed enriched our nation’s intellectual heritage. His global recognition as the Editor-in-Chief of the British Medical Journal was proof of his exceptional capabilities.”
Prof. Shehu was born on December 8, 1930 in Maiduguri, Nigeria. He attended Elementary School, Maiduguri 1935-1940; Middle School, Maiduguri 1941-1943; Kaduna College, Kaduna 1944-1947; University College Ibadan 1948-1953; and was at the University of Liverpool between 1953-1956, and 1966-1967.
Prof. Shehu received a Bachelor of Medicine degree from the University of London. He also received a fellowship from the Institute of Cancer Research and he is the Editor-in-Chief of the British Medical Journal.
In 1990, Prof. Shehu assumed the position of World Health Organisation (WHO) Representative to Ethiopia, to further extend his expertise in the promotion of health and healthcare services in the country.
