The Vice-Chancellor designate of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Prof. Wahab Egbewole has condoled the family of Malam Abidu Yazid, who was Pro-Chancellor of the university until his death last week.
The VC led a nine-member delegation from the university to pay a condolence visit at the residence and family house of the deceased in Katsina.
He described the death of Yazid, who was also the Chairman of Governing Council of UNILORIN, as a great loss.
“His death was a great loss not only to his family, the university community, but also to the entire country, especially the university system.
“He was a man of God, honesty, integrity, sincerity and a father to all.
“He will always be remembered for his dedication, service to humanity and also to the nation.
“The Pro-Chancellor has made unforgettable contribution in an effort to resolve the prolonged strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
“His death has created a very big vacuum in that aspect and also in our governing council”, the incoming Vice Chancellor said.
Egbewole, who is also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, further described Yazid’s death as shocking, unexpected and painful to the entire staff and students of the university, especially at “this point in time”.
According to him, the late Governing Council chairman died at a time when his services were most needed by the institution and the nation’s university system.
He prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest and give the family the strength to bear the irreparable loss, adding that, “may God forgive his shortcomings and admit him into Aljannah Firdaus”.
In his response, the eldest son of the deceased, Malam Abdulhalim Yazid described his late father as a mentor and hero, not only to the family, but to many.
He appreciated the delegation for its visit all the way from Ilorin, saying that the visit had given him and the family more strength to bear the loss of their hero.
According to him, their late father, who died in his 70s, left behind three wives and five children.
The eldest wife of late Malam Yazid, Hajiya Fatima Yazid, who also expressed her appreciation to the condolence team, said that “it is a clear indication that our late husband was a man of integrity”.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that members of the delegation include the representative from Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs Juwon Bose Olayiwola; and an external member of the university’s council, Dr Talmiz Usman.
Others were external members of the council Alhaja Simiat Ibrahim and Prince Austin Obaedo; the University Bursar, Mr Hakeem Shonde; member representing the congregation Dr. Rasheed Odunola; member representing convocation, Prof. Abdulrasheed Adeoye; member representing the university Senate, Prof Follow Ologe.
