Professor Emeritus Umaru Shehu: As UMTH mourns the community medicine man

By: James Bwala

It was indeed a glorious exit for the Borno elder, statesman, teacher, father, and grandfather, the late Professor Emeritus Umaru Shehu. Born in 1930, he lived a life worthy of emulation in the service of the state and the nation. He bows out at 93, a rare age target for today’s world. For us at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, it was a sad exit but a glorious one for a library of knowledge. He was simply the community medicine man, and we would all miss his smile and simplicity of life. However, he left behind lessons for us to learn from and take a step forward to change our views about life.

The management and staff of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) led by the top management led by Professor Ahmed Ahidjo, the CMD, paid an official condolence visit to the family residence of Prof. Umaru Shehu, who passed away on the 2nd day of October 2023 in Maiduguri. Few to mention who joined the train with the CMD are Chairman Medical Advisory Committee C-MAC Prof. Ibrahim Sanusi, Mr. Idriss Omar, Director of Administration, and others. The CMD, Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo, sympathized with the family, prayed for the repose of the soul of Prof. Umaru Shehu, and further wished him Aljannah Fidausii.

The Northern Governors Forum also expressed their sorrow over the passing of Emeritus Professor Umaru Shehu, the first Professor of Community Medicine in Northern Nigeria, together with the UMTH over this significant loss. In a message of condolence, Gombe State Governor and Forum Chairman Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya praised the late Umaru Shehu as a true luminary and erudite scholar whose passing left a significant gap in Nigeria’s knowledge and leadership.

In the words of Governor Yahaya, “The loss of Professor Emeritus Umaru Shehu has created a profound void, not only for his family, Borno State, and the University of Maiduguri, but indeed, the entire northern region, Nigeria, and the global academic community.” He observed that Shehu was more than simply a name; he was also a font of information, a lighthouse of wisdom, and a personification of devotion to his people and country.

Professor Umaru Shehu, he continued, “has left an indelible mark on society through his illustrious career in several universities, including the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, and 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.

“Professor Shehu’s efforts as the President of the Nigerian Academy of Science and his illustrious role as Professor Emeritus of Community Health at the University of Maiduguri have in fact enriched the country’s intellectual heritage. His international renown as the British Medical Journal’s Editor-in-Chief was evidence of his extraordinary qualities. He said

Muhammadu Buhari, a former president of Nigeria, joins the UMTH, the University of Maiduguri, and the country in expressing their condolences for the loss of the illustrious physician who served as chairman of the board of the Nigerian Institute of Virology up until his passing.

Muhammadu Buhari offered a rich homage to the late Professor in a message of sorrow to the family of the deceased, the administration and people of Borno State, and the entire country, noting that he embodied the best spirit of people.

“Through his many years of medical practice, he saved the lives of so many people. He played a pivotal role in shaping many of the progressive policies in the health sector of the country. May Allah bless his soul,” the former president said.

Emeritus Professor Umaru Shehu, CFR, a leading figure in Nigerian education and one of the first medical pioneers from Northern Nigeria, passed away. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has also expressed astonishment and great sorrow over this. Emeritus Professor Shehu’s passing was reportedly a major blow to the nation, according to a statement by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity). Tinubu said that Shehu’s passing marked the end of an illustrious career dedicated to serving Nigeria, Nigerians, and humanity in general.

“Emeritus Professor Shehu was a giant among that illustrious age of indigenous pioneers in our nation, and the biography of his life is replete with pioneering achievements in the fields of medicine, education, and humanitarian aid.

“The eminent Professor of Medicine has consistently rendered meritorious service to Nigeria and given all Nigerians a sense of pride via his immeasurable contributions and cutting-edge methods for managing global health and medical education.” The President expressed gratitude for having him as a patriotic son and a deserving international representative in his fields of endeavor.

The VP, Sen. Kashim Shettima, along with the Deputy Governor of Borno State, H.E. Hon.Umar Usman Kadafur, and Shehu of Borno, were among the thousands of sympathizers that attended the funeral rite of the late Prof. of Community Medicine, Emeritus Umaru Shehu. The VP says words cannot describe the personality of Professor Umaru Shehu.

“We have lost an icon in the field of medicine. We have lost a father, not only to Borno State but to Nigeria as a whole. He was a man of many mountains and an epitome of courage. We shall miss him in so many ways, but death is also a way of life, and we must all answer the call when it calls. Professor Umaru Shehu has lived a fulfilled life. We pray to Allah to forgive his shortcomings and grant him firdaus.” The vice president said

Lending his voice to the crowd of voices wishing to say a word, the CMD of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Professor Ahmed Ahidjo, said a big tree in the world of medical sciences has fallen. According to him, the late Professor Emeritus Umaru Shehu was not just a name but a root that so many trees feed on as far as medical sciences are concerned. “He was my father, my teacher, and my courage. To the UMTH family, we have lost the father of community medicine.”
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