3rd August, 2014
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno state, has described the death of Professor Nur Alkali the former Vice Chancellor, University of Maiduguri as “a big blow to the state and the nation.
Shettima made the remark on Sunday in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Communication, Malam Isa Gusau, and made available to newsmen in Maiduguri.
The statement said Shettima received the news of Alkali’s death with ‘rude shock’.
It added that though every life must taste death in submission to Allah’s decree, the governor felt the pains of Alkali’s death not just for his works, but also from a personal point of view.
The statement said Shettima described the late Alkali as a patriotic Nigerian, who gave his best in his service to mankind.
“As a Muslim, I live with the belief that death can come calling at any point in time. But this is one death that is really heavy for us as a government and people and for me personally.
“The deceased was always undertaking research works at his own cost, making presentations and publications all geared towards finding solution to our problems.
“At the state’s academic level, Alkali laid the ground works for the establishment of Borno State University.
“This is not to mention his overwhelming contributions at the Federal Government-owned University of Maiduguri, where he was a Vice-Chancellor.
“Alkali was one of Borno’s showcase assets at the national level.
The governor said the deceased was a regular feature at several points the state had to present highly respected academics for national assignments that demanded federal character representation.
NAN reports that the late Alkali a delegate to the National Conference, died on Friday at age 68.
He has since been buried in Maiduguri, according to Islamic rites.