President Tinubu Mourns Emeritus Professor of Medicine, Umaru Shehu At 92

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has  expressed his deep sadness over the death of a prominent educationist and one of the pioneer medical doctors from Northern Nigeria, Emeritus Professor Umaru Shehu, 92

Tinubu reacting to the demise of the don on Monday in a statement by his 

Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale described him as a giant among legendary pioneer or indigenous professionals in the country 

“Emeritus Professor Shehu was a giant, even among that legendary generation of pioneering indigenous professionals in our country,” 

"Emeritus Professor Shehu was a giant, even among that legendary generation of pioneering indigenous professionals in our country, and the story of his life is saturated with many first, golden steps across the realms of medical practice, school administration, and humanitarian services",he stated in the statement 

 titled ‘President Tinubu mourns prominent educationist, Emeritus Professor Umaru Shehu.’

The Late Emeritus Professor of Medicine was born in 1930 in Maiduguri, Borno State, Shehu trained at the defunct University College-Ibadan, the University of Liverpool and the University of London, among others.

He served variously as a Deputy Vice Chancellor, Vice Chancellor and Sole Administrator of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; and the University of Maiduguri, respectively.

Shehu also successfully taught and mentored generations of medical practitioners, both in Nigeria and in the United Kingdom, and served at different times as the Country Coordinator of the World Health Organisation in Nigeria and Ethiopia.

He was also a one-time chairman of the Board of Directors, Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria.

President Tinubu described Shehu’s death as a big blow to the country, saying that his death had closed a glorious chapter of illustrious service to Nigeria, Nigerians, and humanity as a whole.

“The renowned Professor of Medicine has always served Nigeria meritoriously and bestowed on all Nigerians a sense of pride with his indelible breakthroughs and innovative approaches to the administration of health and medical education around the world"

“Nigeria was indeed blessed to have him as both a patriotic son and as a worthy global representative in his fields of endeavour,” he  stated.

Tinubu who shared his condolences with the people and government of Borno State, the deceased statesman’s family, the Nigerian medical community and so many others who are mourning the death of Shehu around the world, also prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased