BUK DVC, Wakili, dies at 60

From Tijjani Ibrahim & Richard P. Ngbokai, Kano

The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Admin) Bayero University Kano, Professor Haruna Wakili, died yesterday at the age of 60 at the National Hospital in Abuja after a protracted illness.

A family spokesman, Malam Dalladi Bashir, told Daily Trust that the late Wakili was taken to India for medical treatment where he spent about five months due to the travel restrictions around the world, but arrived Nigeria on June 12 and was taken directly to the Abuja National Hospital where he died.

Born on June 15, 1960 in Hadejia, Jigawa State, Wakili started public service as a teacher and after obtaining his Grade II certificate in 1980 he was admitted in the Bayero University Kano, where he obtained B.A History. After his NYSC in 1985, Wakili took another teaching job at the Govt. Secondary school Ringim, Jigawa State during which he obtained his Master’s degree from BUK. He was in Ringim until 1990 when he was offered appointment by BUK as an assistant lecturer.

At Buk, Wakili obtained his Ph.D in History in 1998 and later, a certificate in American History from the New York University, USA in 2004. He was appointed deputy vice chancellor Administration, the post he held until his death.

He was Commissioner for Education in Jigawa State under Sule Lamido, a position he held for six years. While he was commissioner, Wakili was instrumental to the establishment of the Jigawa State University later known as Sule Lamido University, Kafin Hausa. He was also instrumental to the erection of the permanent site of the Bilyaminu Usman Polytechnic in Hadejia among many other contributions.

Family sources told Daily Trust that the late academician would be buried in his home town in Hadejia, Jigawa State and the funeral prayer would take place today by 9am at the emir’s palace. He is survived by two wives and nine children