Umaru Shehu, who achieved the distinction of becoming Nigeria's first Emeritus Professor in 2000, has passed away at the age of 97.
The Borno Elders Forum, in an official statement released on Monday in Maiduguri and signed by its Secretary, Dr. Bulama Gubio, announced the sad news of the passing of this eminent figure. Umaru Shehu, a highly regarded Professor of Medicine, breathed his last in the early hours of Monday.
The statement issued by the Borno Elders Forum conveyed their condolences and acknowledged Umaru Shehu as a founding father of both the Kanem Borno Historical and Cultural Foundation (KBHCF) and the BEF (Borno Elders Forum).
It read, “We regret to announce the demise of our founding father of both the Kanem Borno Historical and Cultural Foundation (KBHCF) as well as the BEF.
“Professor Emeritus Umaru Shehu, CFR, Dr. Shettima Ali Monguno, and Maina Ibrahim Damcida were the founding fathers of BEF.
“All three have now left us. He was the last of the Titans. May Allah have mercy upon them.
“May All have mercy upon our foremost professor of community medicine and a global giant in the field of medicine.”
Shehu's illustrious career included serving as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, from 1978 to 1980. He also held visiting professorships at various universities, including the School of Medicine, University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, U.S., from 1976 to 1977.
Furthermore, he was a foundation fellow of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, the West African College of Physicians, the Nigerian Academy of Science, and the Faculty of Community Medicine (Nigeria). In recognition of his contributions, Shehu was appointed Honorary Consultant Physician in 1991 and was honored as Professor Emeritus in 2000.