A celebration of wisdom

By Bashir Yahuza Malumfashi

ON this tenth day of December,
We rise with grateful voice,
To honour a man
Whose path of service
Was a noble choice.
Dr. Bukar Usman,
Son of Biu,
Whose journey brightly shone,
A guiding lamp
For Nigeria,
Beloved, revered, well-known.
Born in 1942,
In the warm embrace
Of Borno’s sand.
He grew with dreams
That stretched across
The length of his dear land.
From humble steps
In Biu he soared
With excellence and grace,
Till learning crowned
His youthful brow
In Zaria’s sacred place.
Ahmadu Bello University
Shaped his keen,
Far-seeing mind.
In Public Administration
He sought new ways
To serve mankind.
International Relations
Broadened
His world-view even more,
Preparing him
For noble tasks
On Nigeria’s public floor.
Into the Federal Civil Service
He stepped with steady stride,
Armed with discipline
And wisdom,
Integrity his guide.
Training in the UK
Strengthened
All he came to do.
Deepening the brilliance
Of a spirit firm,
Upright and true.
For twenty-seven
Purposeful years
He served
The nation’s call.
Secretary
On Public Safety,
Guardian standing tall.
Through crises,
Planning, strategy,
He proved his steady hand.
A sentinel of loyalty,
Devoted to the land.
He carried
Nigeria’s banner high
In councils far abroad,
Representing his homeland
With eloquence
Deeply awed.
Where nations gathered,
His insight
Brought dignity
And pride.
A patriot
Whose presence stood
Like heritage
Dignified.
Retirement came in 1999
But his mission
Stood not still.
For learning
Was his constant flame,
His mind
A growing hill.
Governance
He studied more,
Boards
Sought his seasoned art.
A technocrat
Of rare renown,
With clear,
Discerning heart.
Yet brighter
Still his gifts unfold
Within the world of books,
Where culture, folklore,
Narratives find life
In all he cooks.
A champion
Of Nigerian tongues,
Their rhythms
And their lore,
He keeps alive
Our heritage
From shore
To distant shore.
With over 27 works
In English
Proudly penned,
And twenty more
In Hausa
And our languages,
He tends.
A garden
Rich with stories,
Knowledge,
Histories profound.
A treasure
Chest of voices
Kept from fading
To the ground.
He chronicled
Biu Emirate
With research strong
And wise.
Its customs,
Songs,
And memories
Beneath our northern skies.
His short stories
And folk collections
Echo through the years,
Saving the tales
Our grandparents told
In laughter and in tears.
His autobiography
Shines with lessons
From his quest,
While policy writings
Teach the nation
How to strive for best.
A scholar
Steeped in service,
A servant crowned with grace,
Whose words and deeds
Form heritage
No time shall dare erase.
His honours
Speak of excellence
More than thirty wides,
From CON to OON,
Distinctions none can hide.
Honorary degrees
Adorn the man
Whose steps inspire,
While foreign halls
Acknowledge him
With glowing,
Proud admire.
Through his Foundation,
Kind and bold,
He gives to youth
And scholars gifts.
More precious far than gold;
Scholarships,
Research grants,
Publications shaped with care.
A legacy
Of lifting hands
For all
Who dream and dare.
Books
He donates to classrooms
Over a hundred schools
Or more.
Universities,
Media houses
Blessed by his treasure store.
He plants
The seeds of knowledge
Where young minds
Rise to bloom.
Ensuring future generations
Grow strong,
Dispelling gloom.
Today
We celebrate a man
Whose life is shining light,
A pillar of culture,
Truth and service.
Standing bright;
Dr. Bukar Usman,
May your years continue
Rich and long.
Nigeria
Honours you this day
With heartfelt
Praise and song.

Malumfashi first published his tribute in his online magazine Taskar Gizago at https://taskargizago.com.ng/2025/12/10/a-celebration-of-wisdom/