SIRA mourns the passing of Prof. Nuhu Yaqub

By Isa Isawade

The Society For International Relations Awareness, SIRA, has mourned the demise of its founding President and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja and the Sokoto State University, Professor Nuhu Omeiza Yaqub, OFR.

Professor Yaqub passed away on Saturday 4 January 2025.

A statement released on Saturday by SIRA and signed by its President, Prof. Owei Lakemfa, said the organisation received news of the passing of its founding President with shock.

It regarded the death of the erudite Marxist scholar as a national tragedy.

“The exit of Professor Yaqub, a pro-people, intellectually honest and fearless political scientist is a tragedy for a country in desperate need of direction.

“He believed that leaders should be held accountable to the people and that those in public office who misrule the country while also collecting salaries are committing haram.

“Highly principled, he campaigned relentlessly for Western Sahara to be free from Moroccan occupation and the stranglehold of Western powers,” SIRA said, adding that it would miss the deceased’s “highly informed contributions and guidance.”

SIRA prayed for the Yaqub family and loved ones to be comforted.

Professor Nuhu Yaqub was a Fellow of the Academy of International Affairs (AIA) and a Marxist scholar who was always proud to be associated with the ideological school.

He pursued Marxism as a tool of analysis with a strong religious belief.

Yaqub was the Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja from 2004 to 2009 and Vice Chancellor, Sokoto State University from 2013 to 2017.

SIRA described him as a mentor of mentors.