UNIMAID Vice-Chancellor Honors Professors Dlakwa and Godowoli Upon Retirement

The Vice-Chancellor University of Maiduguri, Professor Mohammed Laminu Mele, has commended two iconic academics, Professor Emeritus Haruna D. Dlakwa and Professor Abdullahi Haruna Godowoli on their retirement after decades of outstanding service to the university and to the fields of Management Sciences and Public Administration.

The commendation was made during a special ceremony organised by the Department of Public Administration of the Faculty of Management Sciences held at the Elkanemi Hall of the University of Maiduguri on Tuesday, the 27th, 2026. 

The Vice-Chancellor was ably represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Central Administration), Professor Babagana Bako. The Vice Chancellor stated that throughout their distinguished careers, Professor Emeritus Dlakwa and Professor Godowoli exemplified the highest ideals of scholarship, leadership, and mentorship. He emphasized that a successful academic career is measured by the University’s core mandates of teaching, learning, research, and community service areas in which the two Professors made remarkable contributions.

He further noted that their decades of dedicated teaching inspired countless students through innovative lessons, supportive mentorship, and quality research outputs that will continue to serve as valuable references for young and upcoming scholars for generations.

The Vice-Chancellor also commended their administrative leadership as Heads of Department, Deans, and Deputy Vice-Chancellors, describing them as role models whose physical presence would be greatly missed. He assured them that the University would continue to seek their guidance and benefit from their wealth of experience.

On behalf of the university community, Professor Mele congratulated the retirees and expressed deep appreciation for their exceptional service, wishing them good health, happiness, and fulfillment in their well-deserved retirement. He then described their legacies as names written in gold in the annals of our dear University.

The Head of the Department of Public Administration, Dr. Silas Joel praised the two Professors for their exceptional mentorship, noting that many lecturers in the department were their former students. He described them as pioneers and wished them continued success in retirement.

The Chairman of the Occasion, Dr. Bulama Mali Gubio, mni, described the event as an opportunity to celebrate the remarkable academic careers and decades of dedicated service rendered by the two scholars to the university and their disciplines.

The Special Guest of Honour, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, Professor Mala Daura, also commended the retirees for reaching the peak of their careers and congratulated them on their achievements and retirement.

In their separate remarks, Professor Emeritus Haruna D. Dlakwa expressed gratitude to the department and the university community for the grand celebration and unwavering support throughout his career. Professor Abdullahi Haruna Godowoli also thanked the Department and the wider university community, seeking forgiveness from colleagues for any shortcomings during his years of service.

The event featured the presentation of awards in recognition of their outstanding academic contributions. Professor Abdullahi Haruna Godowoli received an Award of Excellence for Outstanding Academic Service, presented by Professor Mala Daura. Dr. Bulama Mali Gubio, mni, presented a Lifetime Academic Achievement Award to Professor Emeritus Haruna D. Dlakwa."