In a solemn announcement made by Dr. Bulama Gubio, Secretary of the Borno Elders Forum, Nigeria has bid farewell to its first Emeritus Professor, Umaru Shehu, who passed away at the age of 97.
The distinguished Professor of Medicine breathed his last in the early hours of Monday.
Umaru Shehu was not only a respected figure in the field of Medicine but also a key figure in the cultural and historical heritage of the Kanem Borno region.
Dr. Gubio expressed deep sorrow as he shared the news, marking the passing of a founding father of both the Kanem Borno Historical and Cultural Foundation (KBHCF) and the BEF (Borno Elders Forum).
In a poignant tribute, Dr. Gubio reflected, “Professor Emeritus Umaru Shehu, CFR, Dr. Shettima Ali Monguno, and Maina Ibrahim Damcida were the founding fathers of BEF. All three have now left us. He was the last of the Titans. May Allah have mercy upon them.”
Umaru Shehu’s legacy extends far beyond Nigeria’s borders. He served as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, from 1978 to 1980 and held visiting professorships at prestigious institutions, including the School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, U.S., during 1976-1977.
Throughout his illustrious career, Umaru Shehu was honored with various fellowships, including being a foundation fellow of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, the West African College of Physicians, the Nigerian Academy of Science, and the Faculty of Community Medicine (Nigeria).
In recognition of his exceptional contributions to the medical field, he was appointed Honorary Consultant Physician in 1991 and elevated to the esteemed rank of Professor Emeritus in 2000.
Nigeria has lost a trailblazing scholar and a global giant in the field of medicine. May his memory continue to inspire generations to come.