The entire Management of Federal University Lokoja (FUL) and members of the Principal Officers Committee (POC) under the leadership and chairmanship of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, have commiserated with the University Librarian, Dr. (Mrs.) Sarah Dauda Yani over the passing of her beloved husband, SP. AP. Chief Dauda Yani Tyenkwa (Agwam Tsabta Bajju) who died at the age of eighty-two. Recall that the University Community, particularly members of Management were thrown into grief when the sad news of the passing of the Librarian's husband filtered into the air on May 10, 2023. 

While death is the price every human being must pay one day and comes to every mortal most times without notice which calls for circumspection and total submission to the will of God, the death of Chief Tyenkwa, however, came as a thunderbolt to members of Management who received the sad news with rude shock on that fateful day when the University Librarian was on an official function (meeting) along with other Principal Officers, as usual, at the Adankolo Campus in Lokoja.

Announcing the devastating news at a meeting the following morning, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi on behalf of the University Management expressed heartfelt sympathy to the Librarian and her family, admonishing her to take solace in the legacies and loving memories of the departed patriarch, while a minute's silence was observed for his peaceful repose. 

Consequently, FUL Management, on Saturday, June 24, 2023, sent out a powerful delegation comprising Principal Officers, Provost, and Deans to Katsit Kafachan Zangon-Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State to grace the burial ceremony and pay their last respects to the deceased as well as condole with the bereaved family.

At the funeral service, the late octogenarian and Agwam Zwang Bajju Samaru of Bajju Land was described as a cheerful giver and philanthropist on whose shoulders many leaned on and enjoyed succour until his journey to the great beyond. Little wonder he lived a fulfilled and very impactful life with a visible track record of selfless service to humanity. He was a religious God-fearing man and a strong pillar of support to his immediate family, community, and the church. The deceased derived great pleasure in helping people and making his home easily accessible to all including strangers. 

Indeed, the occasion was organized to celebrate the life and times of this selfless community leader who did not only live his life training other people's children and sponsoring them to acquire quality education but also dedicated his entire life and sacrificed his comfort for the good of others. He was like a blooming tree in a forest whose fruits attract many birds and its branches serve as shades to different categories of animals. And like the proverbial Job in the Holy Book, he was eyes to the blind, feet to the lame, and a father to both the poor and orphans.

The former senior staff of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, who retired in 1997 as the Chief Health Superintendent of the Health Services Department known as SICKBAY, was an excellent leader with sterling qualities who would be remembered for creating an enabling working environment for his staff that advanced their careers and growth in life. Chief Tyenkwa, an astute politician, exuded great influence within and outside his community and extended his kindness to everyone who came across his way irrespective of their religious beliefs.

As a community leader referred to as 'Mai Angwa,' the late elder statesman, through his generosity, earned the unfeigned love of his people and the masses as demonstrated to him even during his final burial rites when people, who traveled from far and near in their numbers, defied the heavy downpour in honour of this iconic personality who devoted his life in serving humanity while on this part of the divide. 

Members of the delegation from FUL included the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Abdullahi Emmanuel Bala; the Registrar, Dr. (Mrs.) Rebecca Aimiohu Okojie; the Bursar, Mr. Sule John Shilo; and the Provost, College of Health Sciences, Prof. Mike O. Ogirima, mni. Others were the Dean, Faculty of Arts, Prof. Ayodele Bamidele; Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof. S.D. Musa; Dean, Faculty of Education, Prof. Joseph O. Omolehin; and Dean, Faculty of Science, Prof. Abraham Mopah Dauda. 

Some other important personalities who graced the event included Prof. Tanko Dauda, Chairman of FUL Staff Multipurpose & Cooperative Society; Prof. Jeremiah Ayok, President of FUL Senior Staff Club; Dr. Silas Joshua, ASUU-FUL Chairman; Mr. Usman Abdulkadir Yakubu, Registrar, Thomas Adewumi University (TAU), Oko-Irese, Kwara State; and Mr. Chris Yahaya; while staff of the University Library led by Dr. Lanre A. Mbashir, and Dr. Njideka Charlotte Ojukwu, among other staff from FUL, were equally present at the epic ceremony in support of the University Librarian. 

The deceased is survived by his lovely wife, Dr. Sarah Dauda Yani, children (biological and foster), and grandchildren. 

May his soul rest in peace (Amen). See more pictures here

 

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