On November 14, 2016, Nigeria lost former Sultan of Sokoto Ibrahim Dasuki, revered Islamic leader, diplomat and great son of Usmanu Danfodio. The indelible legacies he bequeathed are still visible for future references, while his contributions towards the development of Islam, humanity are still fresh within the annals of memory. The mere mention of his name would indeed evoke nostalgic feelings among the multitude of people within Nigeria and outside. In fact, his exit had created a huge vacuum yet to be filled.
When he was chairman of the Nigerian Railway Corporation where he championed a policy of decentralisation and the creation of district offices, he made Nigeria local government administration unified in 1976 through Dasuki local government reform. He was a member in the 1977 constituent Assembly and contributed towards Nigeria becoming a member of the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC), and contributed towards completion of the Sultan Abubakar III central Juma’at Mosque in Sokoto and Jama’atu Nasril Islam headquarters in Kaduna, National Mosque Abuja and Mashood Abiola Central Mosque Ijebu Ode. He upgraded the Sokoto Orphanage Home and modernised the sultanate palace. He introduced salary allowances for the chief Imams and deputies of the Jumu’at mosque in Sokoto state and also made an unexpected visit in Jakarta, Indonesia for OIC meeting and completed the compilation of Islamic literature and logical work by the founding fathers of Sokoto Caliphate and disciples. In addition, he made Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto to be the center for organising Quranic recitation competition in the global fora.
To keep the memories of late Ibrahim Dasuki alive, the appropriate authorities should make efforts to immortalise him because he spent most of his productive years serving his fatherland. While it’s commendable that Sokoto state government should name the state university after him, the federal government should also immortalise him
May Allah (SWT) make his grave one of the most best gardens of paradise.
Bello Shehu Shuni
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