Gombe State University Pays Tribute to Late Professor Ibrahim Waziri Abubakar

On the 26th of November, 2024, Gombe State University (GSU) gathered to honor the life and legacy of Professor Ibrahim Waziri Abubakar, the immediate past Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), who passed away on August 23, 2024. The tribute event, held at the university’s campus, was a heartfelt celebration of the distinguished academic’s contributions to the institution and Nigerian academia at large.

The event brought together students, faculty, staff, and members of the GSU community, as well as family and friends, to remember the man who had profoundly impacted the university’s academic landscape. Professor Waziri, born on January 1, 1957, was a revered scholar and administrator whose dedication to academic excellence and mentorship left an indelible mark on GSU.

Prof. Waziri’s colleagues reflected on his remarkable journey, which began in Kafarati, Kwami Local Government Area of Gombe State, where he attended school before pursuing higher education at prestigious institutions like Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and the University of Abuja. His extensive career spanned several academic roles, and he was instrumental in shaping GSU from its early days, serving in various key positions, including Director of the School of Basic and Remedial Studies, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Head of the Department of History, and ultimately as Dean of FASS from 2020 to 2024.

The tribute ceremony highlighted Prof. Waziri’s numerous achievements, including his groundbreaking research in social and economic history, particularly his PhD thesis on healthcare service delivery in Gombe State, which has become an essential reference for scholars and policymakers. He was also the first professor produced by GSU and delivered the university’s inaugural professorial lecture in 2022.

Speakers at the event recalled Prof. Waziri’s exceptional leadership and mentorship. His colleagues described him as a disciplinarian with a strong sense of justice and fairness, known for motivating students and faculty alike. His contributions to the development of the university were further celebrated with the recent naming of a lecture theatre in his honor.

Despite his passing, the university is determined to carry forward the work he began, ensuring that GSU continues to thrive academically. The tribute also included prayers for Prof. Waziri’s soul, with the community asking for Allah’s forgiveness and a place in Jannatul Firdaus.

Prof. Waziri’s passing has created a significant void in GSU, but his legacy as a scholar, teacher, and leader will remain an integral part of the university’s history. The tribute served as a reminder of the profound impact one individual can have on an institution and the lives of those around them. The GSU community will continue to honor his memory and strive to uphold the values of integrity, academic excellence, and service to humanity that he embodied throughout his career.

May his soul rest in peace.