THE Chairman of Northern Governors’ Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON has received with heavy hearts, the passing of Professor Emeritus Umaru Shehu, a distinguished elder statesman, and Northern Nigeria’s first Professor of Community Health who died at the age of 93.
Governor Inuwa described the late academic as a true luminary and erudite scholar whose demise leaves a huge void in the realms of knowledge and leadership in Nigeria.
He said 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.
“Professor Emeritus Umaru Shehu was not just a name but a repository of wisdom, a beacon of knowledge, and an embodiment of dedication to his people and country. His illustrious career in several universities, including the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria the University of Maiduguri, as well and his role as a co-founder of the Borno Elders Forum and the Kanem Borno Historical and Cultural Foundation have left an indelible mark on our society”.
“A towering figure in academia, Professor Shehu’s contributions as the President of the Nigerian Academy of Science and his distinguished position as Professor Emeritus of Community Health at the University of Maiduguri have indeed enriched our nation’s intellectual heritage. His global recognition as the Editor-in-Chief of the British Medical Journal was a proof of his exceptional capabilities”.
Nigeria Has Lost A Great Medical Statesman – Health Minister
THE Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, has described the passing on of Professor Emeritus Umar Shehu, CFR, today Monday, October 2, 2023, as a great loss to Nigeria for his tireless lifetime efforts to improve public health.
Describing the life of Professor Shehu as an invaluable asset who dedicated his scholarship and professional life to the advancement of population health outcomes.
Professor Pate in a statement issued in Abuja mourning the exit of the renowned Physician and public health expert said, “Professor Umar Shehu has been an inspiration to many generations of physicians and public health practitioners, whom he taught and mentored over a distinguished lifetime.
The Minister recalled the leadership role late Professor Shehu played in the fight to eradicate smallpox and wild polio virus in the country, a performance he said the country will always remember. Despite advancing age Prof Umaru Shehu was never tired of giving advice or traveling to engage on important issues of health. We have indeed lost today our elder medical statesman, a great scholar, and a fantastic human being, Prof emeritus Umaru Shehu. May Allah grant his soul aljannah firdaus Amin. We extend deepest condolences to his family.
