President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated and extended his best wishes to a renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, who attained 100 years.
In a statement on Tuesday, by presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu described Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi as “a shining light who has significantly contributed to shaping Islamic knowledge, as well as moral and ethical standards in modern Nigeria.
“The President thanks the Tijjaniyya leader for dedicating his life to spreading knowledge and raising generations of Nigerians.
“On this momentous occasion, President Tinubu prays for greater wisdom and good health for the venerable Sheikh,” the statement said.
He was born in Nafada, which was part of Bauchi State but now under Gombe State.
Sheikh Bauchi currently lives in Kofar Gombe.
The scholar became a Hafizul Qur-ān (memoriser of the Glorious Qur-ān) before the age of 20 under the tutelage of his father, Alhaji Usman, becoming.
He continued his studies under many high profile Islamic scholars both within and outside Nigeria, with Sheikh Ibrāhīm Inyass being his most influential teacher.
Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi was recognised as a Professor of Qur-ānic memorisation and education, and he has been honoured as one of the world’s greatest Mufassirun (translators of the Glorious Qur-ān).
He began Tafsīr (Qur-ānic exegesis) in Bauchi State in 1948, where for 76 years he has been translating the Holy Qur-ān.
The Tafsīr broadcasts of the Sheikh started on Bauchi Radio Corporation in 1976, but was transferred to Radio Nigeria Kaduna in 1980.
Today, numerous radio stations across northern Nigeria air his teachings, especially during Ramadan.
The revered scholar his influence and followership cuts across the West African sub-region and beyond has a large family with 100 children, 406 grandchildren, and 100 great-grandchildren. Sheikh Bauchi has a legacy of Qur-ān memorization that continues.
He has 78 children, over 199 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren who are all Hafizul Qur-ān, balancing both Islamic and western education.
Sheikh Bauchi has performed Hajj 55 times and Umrah (lesser Hajj) 205 times. He has also offered free 1,000 houses in Bauchi and Kaduna states, among other northern states, for his children and students. He has numerous Islamic schools and farmlands.
Sheikh Bauchi’s style of preaching has led countless individuals to become Muslims, particularly his Tafsirs during Ramadan. He advocates worshiping only Allāh, seeking forgiveness, and expressing gratitude for divine blessings while sending salutations to Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). As Deputy Chairman of the Fatwa Committee of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, his influence is profound.
A great Tijjaniyya leader, his disciples and clerics offered special prayers in mosques, expressing gratitude for his life and achievements as he attained 100 years of age. They eulogised him for his unblemished record of service to Islam and humanity, highlighting his role as a selfless and steadfast leader.
According to Malam Ahmad Tijjani Saeed, “Maulana Sheikh, as he clocks the century age in good health, leaves a rich legacy of a life lived in the service of Allah, his nation, and humanity.”
Also, Malam Ahmad Tijjani Kolo, Sanusi Ahmad, and Muhammad Sogiji, praised Sheikh Bauchi for his courage in speaking against tyranny, corruption, and social ills like immorality, cultism, and drug abuse.
