The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Sheikh Dahiru

  • Gbenga Hashim pays condolence visit to late Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi’s family

    Gbenga Hashim pays condolence visit to late Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi’s family

    Former presidential candidate, Gbenga Hashim, has paid a condolence visit to the family of late Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, who passed away on Thursday, November 27, 2025.

    Hashim described the revered Islamic scholar as a rare religious leader defined not just by learning, but by deep moral conscience and national commitment.

    The Ex Presidential Candidate, who shares the same birthday, 28th June, with the late cleric, spoke in Hausa, which he later translated. He said, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi stood out in an era where religiosity is often divorced from godliness, noting that while many claim religious authority, few truly fear God.

    “Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi was not just a religious man; he was highly learned, informed, and above all, a man who genuinely feared God. Many religious people do not fear God, but Sheikh Dahiru was different; he was a true man of God,” Hashim said.

    Read Also: Osun 2026: APC leaders call for unity to secure Oyebamiji’s victory

    Beyond his scholarly influence, Hashim emphasised the late cleric’s unwavering dedication to Nigeria’s unity and peace, describing him as a national figure whose impact transcended religion, ethnicity, and region.

    “Apart from being an Islamic scholar, he was deeply committed to the unity of Nigeria and worked tirelessly for the peace of the nation. That is why I regard him as my father,” he added.

    Hashim reaffirmed his own lifelong commitment to the ideals Sheikh Dahiru embodied, stressing that national unity and peace remain non-negotiable values in a deeply diverse country like Nigeria.

    “I am also committed to the unity of Nigeria and to working for peace, irrespective of tribe, region, or religion.”

    While acknowledging the pain of the loss, Hashim noted that Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi’s legacy remains alive in the principles he lived for.

    “Yes, he is no longer with us, but what he stood for, peace and unity, remains for every Nigerian to learn from.”

    Dr Hashim came with a large delegation, which included Sheikh Haliru Abdulahi Maraya (Kaduna), Dr Ibrshim Umar (Kaduna), Mr Kamaldeen Adebayo Sanni (FCT), Hajia Rabi Musa (Nassarawa), Mr Ezekiel Dinfa (Plateau), and Coordinators of the Hashim Organization in the three Senatorial Districts and 20 LGA of Bauchi State.

  • Tinubu renames FUMS Azare after Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi

    Tinubu renames FUMS Azare after Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi

    • Lauds Zulum’s development drive during Borno visit

    President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, renamed the Federal University of Medical Science (FUMS), Azare in Bauchi State to immortalise   renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, who died recently.

    The President announced the renaming of the institution  during a condolence visit to the family of the late cleric in Bauchi State.

    He described Sheikh Dahiru’s death as   a great national loss, stressing that the honour  was in recognition of the cleric’s lifelong contributions to education, religious scholarship, humility, and service to humanity.

    He prayed for Allah’s mercy upon the soul of the departed and strength to the family.

    The President urged Nigerians to continue praying for peace and unity in the country, stressing the importance of collective resilience during challenging times.

     Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who received the presidential delegation, appreciated President Tinubu for honouring the late cleric and Bauchi State through the retention and renaming of the institution.

    Responding on behalf of the family, the eldest son of the late cleric, Sheikh Ibrahim Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the visit, prayers, and the decision to immortalise their father through the university.

     He also thanked Governor Mohammed for his continued support to the family.

    Sheikh Dahiru, the spiritual leader of the Tijjaniyya Brotherhood in Nigeria, died on November 27 at the age of 98.

    Born in present day Gombe State, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi devoted his life to the advancement of Islamic education, promotion of peaceful coexistence and fostering of unity across the country.

     His teachings, which emphasised moral discipline, tolerance and adherence to Islamic principles, earned him a large following and deep respect within and beyond Nigeria.

    Read Also: FIRS fire contained as probe begins in Abuja office

     He also played a significant role in community development, mentorship of young scholars and the strengthening of religious understanding.

     He was  accompanied by Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and other top government officials.

    Tinubu hails Gov Zulum for  ‘good job’

    President Tinubu  had earlier yesterday commended Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum for doing a good in  caring for his people.

    The President commissioned 20 Compressed Natural Gas(CNG) powered  buses, 500 tricycles and 100 electric motorcycles.

    “Government is all about people and Prof. Babagana Zulum is doing very well to cater for his people. I commend him for the excellent job he is doing for the people of Borno State. These vehicles I have commissioned here will ease urban transportation and the hardship of the people,” Tinubu said.

     The President after the commissioning of the vehicles at the Ramat Square Maiduguri also commissioned the Mafoni Junior and Senior Secondary school also in the Borno State capital.

     The school was  named Bola Ahmed Tinubu Day Secondary School in honour of the president.It is  one of the over 100 mega schools constructed by the Governor Zulum’s administration.

     Before commissioning the school, President Tinubu acknowledged cheers from the students who sang his mandate song.

    The president also attended  the wedding of Sadeep Ali Modu Sheriff, son of his political ally and former Governor of Borno State, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff.

    Arrives Lagos for end-of-year holidays

     The president subsequently arrived in Lagos yesterday  to spend the end-of-year holidays following official visits to Borno and Bauchi states.

     He was  received at the presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Ikeja by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and top  government officials.

  • Thousands of mourners bid Sheikh Dahiru farewell

    Thousands of mourners bid Sheikh Dahiru farewell

    • Shettima, others in Bauchi for cleric’s funeral

    Thousands of mourners yesterday thronged Bauchi to pay their last respects to the revered Islamic scholar, Dahiru Usman-Bauchi.

    Usman-Bauchi died on Thursday at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi.

    The Bauchi State Government had declared Friday work-free day to enable residents to pay their last respects and attend the funeral prayer.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a crowd of followers, students and Muslims from Bauchi and neighbouring states had arrived in the metropolis for the burial.

    Security had been beefed up as police operatives and road marshals had been deployed to strategic locations to control traffic as well as maintain law and order.

    Leading the long list of dignitaries at the occasion was Vice President Kashim Shettima, who joined thousands of mourners to pay last respects to the late cleric.

    Shettima and other top government officials arrived at the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport around 1:45 p.m. ahead of the funeral rites scheduled for 3:00 p.m.

    Read Also: Tinubu, First Lady, Shetimma, hail PFN at 40

    Among those in the Vice President’s delegation were National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; Coordinating Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate; Senator Shehu Buba; and Senator Abdulaziz Yari.

    They were received by Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed, his deputy Auwal Jatau, and members of the State Executive Council.

    Others are former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano; Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State; former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar (rtd); former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed; and former Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NUIMS, Bala Wunti.

    Recall that the respected cleric died on Wednesday night at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi at the age of 102. His body was moved to the family residence along Gombe Road, where funeral prayers took place.

    Governor Mohammed in his condolence message described the late cleric as “a towering figure in Islamic scholarship, a man of deep faith, humility, and wisdom.”

    The governor noted that the late cleric dedicated his life to teaching the Qur’an, spreading Islamic knowledge, and promoting moral and spiritual growth in society.

    Mohammed highlighted the Sheikh’s lasting impact through the many Islamic schools and learning centres he founded, which have produced thousands of Qur’an memorizers and scholars who continue to propagate Islamic knowledge across Africa.

    He also commended his contributions to Islamic theology, jurisprudence, and history, emphasising that his teachings on peace, tolerance and unity leave a permanent mark on society.

    Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi is survived by a large family comprising 100 children, 406 grandchildren and 100 great-grandchildren.

    Notably, 78 of his children, over 199 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren are also teachers of the Qur’an, blending Islamic and Western education, ensuring his legacy of Qur’an memorization continues.

    Maulud Dahiru Bauchi, who spoke on behalf of the late scholar’s family, said the funeral prayer would be held by 3:00 p.m. in accordance with the deceased’s written will.

     He said the will specified that Sheikh Sharif Saleh, the Grand Imam of Nigeria, would preside over the congregation.