There is a school of thought in our society which believes that in ones life,
one should either do what is worth writing or write what is worth reading. Given
this, I find it just natural to write this tribute to Dr. Beita Yusuf despite
the fact that I know just little about his life. I hold no doubt that he lived a life
that was worthy of note. He was an inspiration to me and many of my colleagues.
For many of us who attended Hassan Ibrahim Gwarzo Secondary School, Kano,
especially those of the class of 2005, Dr. Beita Yusuf was not only a father but
also a role model. Though he never taught anyone of us in class, yet we have
known much about his life and have admired his exceptional intelligence. We got
to admire him most when he graced a trophy presentation ceremony in our school,
which was consequent to our school’s excellent performance during an essay
competition organized by ANCOPSS in 2005.
More by coincidence than by arrangement, Jadeed Beita, his son, was the man of
the day. For the first time in over twenty years, a northerner emerged first
during such a competition. Dr. Beita Yusuf expressed his gratitude to God and
further encouraged every one of us to always try to do good all the time. Other
intelligentsias present were Mal. Yusuf Yunusa Tudun – Wada, Prof. Ibrahim Ayagi,
OFR (the school proprietor), teachers and many well- wishers. Dr. Beita Yusuf
was an intellectual who was revered by everyone.
Upon return from a weekend trip to Misau, I was welcomed back to Bauchi by what
many a sympathizer would call thunderbolt news. It was Sunday, the 9th of June
2006. It was appalling news for anyone who knew Dr. Beita Yusuf. I indeed could
not help but pray for Allah’s mercies upon him. He was a rare gem of
international repute.
For anyone who knew him, Dr. Beita Yusuf was a man with a contented mind, very
pious, well experienced, and exceptionally disciplined. His demise has without
any doubt created a vacuum that is very difficult to be filled.
An educationist and administrator, Sardaunan Ringim was born on the 25th day of
November 1946, in Ringim of the former Kano State. After his elementary studies,
he went further to obtain a diploma in French from Toulouse, France, a B.A (Hons)
degree in French at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (1970), a Masters in Social
Anthropology (1973) and a PhD in Legal Anthropology in 1976 at Buffalo, New –
York.
A rare gem and an authority in the realm of education, Dr. Beita Yusuf taught at
various universities. He was an Associate professor in Sociology of Law. In his
career as a lecturer, he taught Legal Sociology and French. He was head of
Sociology Department and Dean of Social Sciences and Administration, Usmanu
Danfodio University, Sokoto. Previous to that, he was a sub-Dean faculty of Arts
and Social Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Dr. Beita Yusuf served as a Federal Commissioner (1979-1984) where he was
engaged in reforming Nigeria’s law and legal system. Previous to that, he served
as an elected constitutional Commissioner with the constituent Assembly, which
ratified Nigeria’s 1979 Constitution (1977-1978). In 1985, he became Nigeria’s
ambassador to the Philippines, a position that he held for many years. From
then, he became an international Nigerian. He was at various times involved in
national assignments. Previous to his final withdrawal from the limelight in
2001, Dr. Beita Yusuf served with the African Development Bank (ADB) as one of
its Executive Directors.
As an educationist, he authored many books. The books include:” Reckless climber
(a novel), Freedom fighter (a biography of a political activist), Nigerian Legal
system ( a Socio – Legal text), and past in the present, which explains the
functional evolution of the Argungu Fishing Festival”. He also authored
Maitatsine; Peddler of Epidemics (1987). The book Maitatsine; Peddler of
Epidemics, gives an insight on the whole saga of the Maitatsine crisis, which
happened in kano State in early 1980s.
One Nigerian, too many. Dr. Beita Yusuf did not only author books, but also
wrote research papers. He presented some, while others were published by
journals of national and international standard.
He was a Rotarian. He was also an active member of the International Commission
on Folk Law and Legal Pluralism (Netherlands), American Law and Society
Association and the New York Academy of Sciences.
A multi- linguist, after his withdrawal from the limelight, Dr. Beita Yusuf did
what many Nigerians could not do. Despite his national and international
outstanding record, he did not go on to fight for power and or money. He
remained home and gave his family the priority they deserved. Were he like other
Nigerians, he would have gone into the murky waters of Nigerian Politics. This
indeed distinguished him amidst his peers.
One point of interest regarding the life and times of Dr. Ahmad Beita Yusuf is
that despite his many commitments, he would forever be remembered as a family
man. He was always close to his children, giving them good morals and offering
prayers to his family in general. To show the extent of his love towards his
family, the following quotation of his should be taken into consideration. “…my
lovely children who, we pray fervently, will grow up to detest and stand up
firmly against hypocrisy, intolerance and excessive indulgence within their
midst.” These were his words while dedicating his book, Maitatsine; Peddler of
Epidemics, too his entire family.
Ambassador (Dr.) Ahmad Beita Yusuf left behind a big family. May Allah continue
to shower His blessings upon the family members . A rare gem, multi – linguist
and educationist, may Allah bless him with Jannatul Firdaus. Amin.
POSTSCRIPT
For Dr. Dalhatu Araf, Alh. Adamu Aliyu, Alh. Musa Mailafiya, Alh. Yunusa Alwali,
Alh. Dunoma Usman, Alh. Sunusi Abubakar and Raji Bello Isa
Certainly, we human beings do not have anything to do our fellow human beings
but to pray for them and wish them good every time and anywhere. Therefore the
maximum we can do to those who have departed is to continue to pray for Allah’s
mercies upon them. If possible, we should continue to write about them so that
posterity would know that we once had some people, in our midsts, who have
contributed well enough to the development and progress of our dear society. May
their souls rest in perfect peace. Amen.
Mukhtar Ahmad Jarmajo,
200L Architecture Student, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.
Wala_seko@yahoo.com
