The Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, has described the late Prof. Adamu Baikie as a detribalised scholar, whose life and career were defined by inclusiveness, service and visionary leadership.
Prof. Baikie, the first professor of education in Northern Nigeria, passed away on Dec. 12, at the age of 94 in Zaria.
ABU’s spokesperson, Malam Auwalu Umar, in a statement on Tuesday said the vice chancellor conveyed the institution’s deep sense of loss to the family and the academic community.
Umar said the vice chancellor led members of the university’s management team on a condolence visit to the residence of the deceased at GRA, Zaria, Kaduna State.
“During the visit, the vice chancellor presented a condolence letter to Mohammed Adamu, the eldest son of the deceased.
“Ahmed described late Prof. Baikie as a proud alumnus of ABU and a towering figure in education whose influence transcended ethnic, religious and national boundaries.
“Prof. Baikie as the first professor of education in Northern Nigeria and former Director of the Institute of Education, ABU, has laid a solid foundation for the growth and advancement of education in the region,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor said the late professor served with distinction in several high-level academic positions, including, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin.
“Late Baikie was also the V-C, National University of Lesotho, as well as the pioneer and two-term V-C, Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
“In all these roles Prof. Baikie was widely admired for his diligence, fairness, intellectual depth and unwavering commitment to educational development,” he said.
Beyond his professional achievements, the vice-chancellor described the deceased as a firm believer in unity, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.
He noted that the deceased had consistently promoted harmony across ethnic and religious divides.
Ahmed said Prof. Baikie’s life exemplified the core values cherished by ABU, adding that his legacy would continue to inspire generations of students, scholars and leaders.
He, therefore, prayed for God to comfort his family, stressing that ABU would always celebrate Prof. Baikie as a life well lived in service to humanity.
