Uba Sani to Immortalise Dahiru Bauchi with foundation on interfaith harmony

Uba Sani, the Kaduna state governor, has pledged to establish a foundation in honour of the late Dahiru Usman Bauchi, the renowned Islamic scholar. 

Speaking on Sunday during a condolence visit to Bauchi’s family, Sani said the foundation will immortalise the works of the late scholar in promoting inter-religious harmony and peaceful coexistence in Nigeria. 

The governor led a 30-member delegation from Kaduna state to commiserate with the family following the cleric’s death on November 27.

Sani said the state government would constitute a committee comprising members of the late Bauchi’s family, his students and other key stakeholders to work out the modalities for the establishment of the foundation.

He said although the late scholar was an indigene of Bauchi state, Kaduna would ensure his legacy is preserved, given his immense contributions to Islam, good governance and peaceful coexistence.

According to Sani, the proposed foundation would not only continue the good works of the late Islamic cleric but also implement initiatives he had planned to undertake before his death.

“I used to consult our late leader, and whatever advice he gave me always yielded positive outcomes,” the governor said.

“I am part and parcel of the late Sheikh’s family, and we enjoyed a cordial relationship.”

He added that the Kaduna state government would continue the his efforts at uniting Muslims and fostering harmony among adherents of different religion in Kaduna and also across the country.

In his remarks, Mohammed Jatau, the deputy governor of Bauchi state, recalled that Sani was on an official assignment in China when the late scholar died.

Jatau said Sani had immediately contacted Bala Mohammed, the Bauchi state governor, from China to express his condolences. 

He added that Sani also constituted a special committee in Kaduna to receive condolences from students and well-wishers of the late Islamic scholar.

Responding on behalf of the family, Khalifa Sayyid Ibrahim Dahiru Bauchi, a son of the deceased, said Sani has always maintained a close relationship with his father, even before assuming office as governor.

“This is your home. Immediately the death was announced, we spoke on the phone. You sent representatives to attend the funeral prayers and later dispatched a delegation of Malams to condole with us,” he said.

“Today, you have personally come to commiserate with us, which shows the high esteem you held our late father.”

He thanked the governor, on behalf of the deceased’s 82 children, for promising to rebuild the residence where their grandfather grew up.

Members of the governor’s delegation were Yusuf Dahiru Liman, speaker of the Kaduna state house of assembly; Muhammad Arabi Abul Fath, national president of Fityanul Islam of Nigeria; and Musa Muhammad, deputy national chairman of the organisation, among others.