Tribute to Prof Shehu Dalhatu

The fall of an administrator, administrative theorists, erudite scholar and a mentor.

Let me start by saying “kullu nafsin za’ikatul maut” (every soul shall taste death), Qur’an 3 verse – 185.

Death is inevitable. Like it or not, one day we must depart from our loved ones. This is certain.

The death of Prof Shehu Dalhatu came at a time we were not prepared or ready for it. This is a sign from ALLAH in HIS power and dominions over all. There is nothing anyone can do, than to accept it in good faith. Prof’s untimely death is just how ALLAH SWT wants it, and HE Loves him the most.

My first encounter with Prof Shehu was in the early 2000. Being my first time in bayero University, Kano then, I was in search of admission into the University. I was directed to meet him in his office to drop some copies of my application form. I summoned the courage to knock on his office door. On hearing the knock on his door, he politely asked me to come in. While I stepped into his office, with eyes contact from both of us, he welcomed me with an open gesture, humility, even without knowing me or the reason that brought me to his office.

After introducing myself, he collected the copy of the admission form from me and he promised to make sure I serure admission. Few weeks later, admission list was released and my name was amongst those on the list. With happiness, joy and gratitude, I went back to Prof to appreciate him for securing admission for me. Immediately, Prof sighted me, he said you’re here again, I hope you have been offered admission? I said: yes Prof, that’s why I am here to thank you, he asked me to seat, then he asked; are you here just to get the diploma certificate and go or you are here to study hard. As for the certificate result, it will serve as a ladder to get level ll through Direct entery after you must have finished the Diploma program.

I said Prof a, I am here to grab the certificate and leave the University.

After a pause for some seconds, Prof then looked at me he asked why. I said Prof, I heard that in the whole set of Diploma students year in year out, only 3 to 4 students usually complete the program with upper credit i.e 3.50, this was apparently, the bench mark for consideration for Direct Entry (DE) admission then in BUK. Prof wasn’t happy with my statement and he said why are you so lazy? He said, if only one or two students can get the required point, then why not you?

Prof Shehu asked me to motivate myself to be a good student, that I should see myself as one of the 2 to 3 students that will graduate with 3.50. These were his words.

He urged me to be focused, serious and dedicated to my studies. He said he believe that I can do it , that if I can come all the way from kaduna to Kano in search of Diploma admission.He went on and on.

Needless to mention here, that his words of encouragement and fatherly advise, did not only changed my orientation and perception, it became the turning point in my academic life. This was a principle that I used as yardstick to guiding myself through out my diploma program.

And ALLAH be praised, I was privileged to be the best student that year. I did not only graduated from the program with 3.50, I equally graduated with 4.50 (Distinction) diploma in Public Administration.

Late Prof Shehu was a teacher to the core, academic icon, epitome and reservoir of knowledge in the field of Public Administration. He was a committed and dedicated researcher, innovator of ideas, and always impacting on his students and society at large from his deep and versatile knowledge.

This can be testified when he taught us Decision making theories in my second year of diploma. When I later joined the Degree program i.e Bsc in Political science through Direct entery, Prof taught us Principles of Public Administration as well as Development Administration in level lll, it was an amazing experience. His style of teaching and the flowing of ideas then, made some of us to love Public Administration courses. Perhaps, it is the reason why my Msc thesis centred around public administration. This remind me of one of my friends, who said when Prof Shehu lectures you, you must understand, even if you have a coconut head.

When I was admitted to study PhD in Political Science in 2015, during the course work, Prof taught me advance Public Administration and local Government, it was another interesting academic moments, the weekly seminar paper presentation, the debate and the intellectual battle between us in lecture room has really shaped and groomed us, after the course work, Prof was assigned to be my supervisor and we have been working together harmoniously without any problem.

Meanwhile, in 2019 I decided to change my fellowship from local to international, when I quit my PhD program from BUK to elsewhere, Prof was so furious about my decision, he wasn’t happy at all, he asked what happened and I said, sir it’s just a personal decision. I told him that I really want to explore and experience another institution. On this, Prof did not only respect my decision, he infact, prayed and provided me with all necessary supports.

Prof Shehu was a leader and administrator par excellent, he has held various leadership positions both within and outside Bayero University.

Prof joined the service of the University in the early 80’s. He was one time, the Head of the Department Political Science. Due to his exemplary leadership and administrative qualities, he was appointed to serve as the Dean Student affairs. Prof was also one time the Director of centre for Democratic Research (Mumbayya house), after his tenure Prof was appointed as Director BUK consultancy unit.

As a result of his Administrative and Managerial skills, his Excellency Governor Mal Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna State, when he observed that Kaduna State Polytechnic (Nuhu Bamalli) was facing serious leadership challenges, leading to leadership crises, administrative turmoil and rercateering in the institution, the governor did not hesitate to immediately solicit for the service of Prof Shehu Dalhatu, where he was appointed as acting Rector of the Polytechnic.

His Excellency, Governor El-Rufai believed that Prof Shehu was a unifier, amplifier and a bridge connector that is capable of bringing administrative stability in the institution. And that was exactly what happened, within a year, Prof was able to Identified the problems and provided a workable administrative solutions to them.

I had paid a courtesy call to him twice then, while he was the acting rector, I saw some of the achievements and development he initiated at the Polytechnic under his leadership.

His professionalism and administrative technique is not only limited to acadamic circle, Prof Shehu before his demise was the current Chairman of BUK Central Mosque committee, one of the biggest, finest and beautiful mosque amongst Nigerian Universities. Facilities maintenance of the mosque was always his top priority, even while he was preparing to embark on his journey, one of the members of the committee told me that Prof gave him 50k from his own personal pocket, not from the Treasury of the mosque. This is just incase, any equipment stop functioning properly, he should make use from the money for repairs.

In all the positions held by Prof, there was never any bad report or write-ups against him, either on misappropriation of fund, misconduct or embezzlement.

Above, proves as an example of a true administrator, a trust worthy leader. When the theory of Maxweber analysis of a Charismatic leader comes to the mind, don’t search too far, just beam your search light on Prof Shehu Dalhatu, who was a true example of charismatism, a pacesetter and a pillar to the followership.

Prof Shehu Dalhatu was one of the benefactor and welfarist I have ever known, he has sponsored not less than 20 indigent students from his personal pocket, from level one up to level four. He warned the beneficiaries not to disclose it, that he was doing it for posterity and the sake of ALLAH (SWT) some of the beneficiaries happen to be my friends, and this is unknowing to the benefactor.

The area where the benefactor lives in Zaria, unguwar Amaru, Kaduna State, Nigeria, West Africa. He’s nicknamed by his teaming supporters, mostly youths as “Kafi gwamna” (you’re more than a governor to us) because of both financial and non financial assistance he used to provide for the youths. I have been to his house in Zaria, three times, and everyone both the old and the young want to associate with him, the house is always full of human activities, people besiege the main entrance like a swamp of bee looking for one help or the other. One may be tempted to ask wether Prof., is a politician or not, but he’s not and never aspired to be.

He was a proud farmer, every harvest seasons, he shared a bag of maize to people free of charge.

For the past five years if you’re a regular visitors to Bayero University Kano (BUK) sports complex you will certainly know Prof. Every evening most especially Mondays and Tuesdays, along side his friends, like Professors Abubakar Jikka Jiddere, Comrade Usman Salihu the Director of sports BUK usually use to engage in a workout exercise or endurance walk, inside the sports complex main bowl and sometimes outside, this has become part of his tradition.

Prof prepares tea, corn cereal (pap), beans cake (kosai), bottle water to athletes and BUK old timers FC that play Football in the sport complex, which I am part of the team, almost ninety percent of members do observe a fast (skip of meal) on Mondays and Thursdays, we break fast with some of his welfare packages, whenever a colleague is having an occasion, be it marriage or child christening ceremony. If it is known to Prof, a secret envelope of wads of money or a befitting assistance must accompany you wherever you are.

Prof Shehu Dalhatu sickness started about nine months ago, when he called my phone at exactly 9AM on that fateful Tuesday that he wanted to see me. My only response was “okay sir, l am even on my way to the office.”

When I got to his department I quickly rushed to his office, because the calling of your teacher is as the same as a call from your biological father. He asked me to sit down, Prof said “Abubakar, I am sick”, “I will want you to take care of some of my academic responsibilities”, “I may undergo surgery by next week”. I was shocked at the hearing of the statement by Prof. “subhanallah, Prof what happened”.

He paused and tears were rolling down his cheeks, he stated in a low tone “as we speak, Abubakar one of my eyes can’t see properly”. I was taken aback and become cold, I collected myself back and asked that we should pray together. He said “he will want me to handle his Master’s Class, and to continue to taking the class, advanced Administrative thoughts”. I said “no problem after all you are my father and a mentor”.

The following week the surgery was conducted and successful, Prof regained his sight, started engaging his MSc and PhD students inside his office, but he was not strong, within few weeks Prof was flown to Dubai on the same health issue. Coming back from Dubai we met and he said “I am now preparing to go to Cairo, Egypt, North Africa. I am scheduled another surgery”, he steted that he may stay up to three months.
Within few weeks Prof was flown out to Cairo. Many goodwill messages via WhatsApp were sent to him for updates on classes and to give him words of encouragement.

Thankfully, he was responding to treatment, at a point, I sent a voice note and he replied “please, remember me in your prayers”, he continued to state that “the first surgery was carried out and it was unsuccessful, but everything will be normal”.

“I am due for another one in some weeks from now”.

It’s when the second one was carried out, Prof Shehu’s health started deteriorating. I observed when we talked, his voice is not as energetic as it used to be, at a point I sent a voice note and there’s no reply, this continued for about a month, not knowing Prof was at a critical condition, he has been taken to intensive care unit (ICU) for about two weeks.

It was on a Friday, 5th, November, 2021, at exactly 6:15 PM. I received the sad news about the demise of Prof Shehu Dalhatu.

The Fall of my teacher, mentor and role model, a humble scholar, that always listen to his students, providing solutions to problems in respective of their ethnic background or religious beliefs. The voice of the voiceless and the voice of the oppressed.

He has been buried in Egypt in accordance with the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Prof Shehu left behind his wife Hajiya Rakiyya Shehu Dalhatu and five children which includes Zarah, Maryam, Amir, Muhammad and Yusrah.
This is indeed a great lost to Bayero University Kano (BUK) community

A sad moment to faculty of Management Sciences
A great lost to the Department of Public Administration BUK, a great lost to the Department of Political science BUK.
He was an alumni of Ahamadu Bello University, (ABU ) Zaria.

It is indeed a great lost to Department of Public Administration ABU Zaria.
A great lost to BUK old timers FC and fitness elders group
A great lost to BUK Central Mosque committee members.

The the tinted father Super Professor Of Public Administration has fallen, the tinted father Public Administration department has gone, but the knowledge he has impacted into us remained, his good values and administrative thought will continue to linger on.

Let me conclude by quoting my Prof in most of his lectures “for any organization or institution to be effective and efficient, it must have a systematised and rationalized rules and procedures, that must be bureaucratised and hierarchise”. Prof Shehu Dalhatu.

I pray the family will take solace by the amount of prayers coming from different people across the globe, may Allah grant the family fortitude to bear the lost and may jannatul firdaus be his final home. Amen.