Precisely on November 14, 2016, that is four years ago, Nigeria lost a precious diamond former Sultan of Sokoto Ibrahim Dasuki, a revered Islamic leader, astute administrator, politician cum diplomat and great-great son of Usmanu Danfodio.
He was a living encyclopaedia of Nigeria traditional institutions. The indelible imprints and legacies he bequeathed are still quite visible for future references while his contributions towards the development are still fresh within the annals of memory.
The mere mention of his name would indeed evoke nostalgic feelings among the multitude of people within Nigeria and outside because he is kind of man does not have to be begged, wooed, persuaded, notified or praised before he renders a favour because favour is the blood that flows through his veins; he does not dairy any person.
His words were favour. His walk was favour. His composure and comportment were favour. He understood no other language besides favour.
As a matter of fact, his exit left a gaping void difficult to be filled.
He built 10 Quranic schools in 1990 and established an adult literacy class.
When he was chairman of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, where he championed a policy of decentralisation and the creation of district offices, he made Nigerian local government administration unified in 1976 through Dasuki local government reform.
He was a member of 1977 constituent assembly and contributed towards Nigeria becoming a member of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) and also contributed towards completion of the Sultan Abubakar III Central Mosque in Sokoto and Jama’at Nasarul Islam headquarters in Kaduna, National Mosque Abuja and Mashood Abiola Central Mosque IJebu Ode.
He upgraded the Sokoto Orphanage Home and modernised the sultanate palace in tune with 21st century building design.
He introduced salary allowances for the chief imams and deputies of the Jumu’at Mosque in Sokoto state and also made an unexpected visit in Jakarta in Indonesia for OIC meeting and completed the compilation of Islamic literature and logical work by the founding fathers of Sokoto Caliphate and disciples.
As a sultan of Sokoto throughout of his eight years of rein he sacrificed his salary for the up keep of the Hubari of his great-grand father Shehu Usmanu Danfodi.
In addition, he made Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto to be the center for organising Quranic recitation competition in the global fora. To keep the memories of late Ibrahim Dasuki, alive because he left unforgettable significant footprints, the appropriate authorities should make efforts to immortalise him as he spent most of his productive years serving his fatherland.
While it is commendable that Sokoto state government should name the State University after him the federal government should also immortalise him.
May Allah (SWT) the all-powerful, most merciful, ever-forgiving and all knowing Creator and Judge of everything in existence make his grave one of the best gardens of paradise.
Bello Shehu Shuni
belloshuni79.gmail 08035114465
