Bukar Usman @83: A man with strong character

By Tijjani Garga

THROUGH my earthly journey, I have met many people either in the line of my duty as a broadcaster or normal life as a Nigerian. One personality that I’m yet to get his equal is Dr. Bukar Usman.

My path and his crossed at Abuja in 2006 during the official unveiling of his autobiography ‘Hatching Hopes’. It was his younger brother, Alhaji Abdu Usman (retired, Permanent Secretary, Borno State) who commissioned me to go to Abuja to produce a document of the event. The book, as the title suggests, is about a journey which culminated into self-actualization. I must say, the past 20 years of my acquaintance with him has been the best years of my life. He consistently lectures me about doing the right thing without compromising the Civil Service rules. He always reminds me that integrity is easy to establish but maintaining it is hard, harder than even conquering one’s own past. He acknowledges the existence of the temptation to bend the rules, yet, he still encourages me to be steadfast in doing the right thing because no matter how long it takes, integrity like truth always floats its way to the top. He is someone that can give you examples from his experiences of over 30 years in the civil service. He always cites examples of how at the age of 33 he was brought before some Supreme Military Council members to answer some questions. After answering the questions to the satisfaction of all, the then Head of State, General Murtala Mohammed told him to go and directed that he should be advised rather than reprimanded. That encounter reinforced his belief in standing for the truth.

He is Mr. due process and always loyal to his superior. He always cites his relation with Babagana Kingibe as an example. They were classmates at Borno Provincial Secondary School, Maiduguri, now Borno Government College but parted ways when he went to King’s College Lagos while Kingibe went overseas on a foreign scholarship. But as fate might have it, Kingibe became his Director-General but at no time did he take Kingibe for granted and never even discussed their school days with the staff. They worked professionally and when Kingibe left the service, Dr. Usman was appointed to succeed him. The lesson he wants to pass across is to do your job to the best of your knowledge and leave the rest to the system.

Dr. Usman never hesitates to mention names of good Nigerians worthy of emulation. Once you have an encounter with him, he will leave an impression that will last for a long time and what he teaches you will always ring a bell. Luckily for me, I will always remember him as my second child, his namesake, was born in 2013 when he engaged me to do some research on Biu town and its neighbors for a book titled ‘A History of Biu’ which he published in 2015.

Dr. Bukar Usman

Every time I visit him the 4-6 hours he spares for me and what I usually learnt from that interaction cannot be found in any course of study in humanities. He can recall past experiences with precision in both contents and dates, quoting people verbatim. Dr. Usman is simply larger than life. Through him, one can appreciate the diversity of Nigeria both in terms of ethnicity as well as religious differences. If people of Nigeria are like Dr. Usman, peace will definitely prevail. He cannot make something to smoke talk-less of setting it on fire. He acknowledges individual differences and is always quick to acknowledge one’s contrary opinions. He doesn’t hesitate to say “you are right”, whenever you put your superior thoughts across. He is a good listener and always guides you when he observes your shortcomings. Above all, he is a good observer. The last time I visited him my breath was intermittently disturbing me because I forgot my inhaler and I tried to suppress it. When I was leaving, he asked me “do you have health challenges” to which I replied “no”. This was because though I have lived with it for a long time, I don’t treat it as a challenge. That underscores his concern for people.

Another fascinating thing about Dr. Usman is his ability to share his time among his family, friends, business and writings.

He lives with his childhood memories and I must confess that I envy his unbroken connection with his grassroots. He is fond of Biu, his native town in Borno State. He always reminds me to use my broadcasting influence to preserve Biu township roads network plan undertaken by Malam Aklahyel the famous Biu surveyor/town planner of blessed memory. He said under no circumstances should we allow the well-laid out Biu town plan to be abused.

I know of many people who have excelled in their earthly journeys but hardly relate with their roots especially when they reach the peak of the ladder, but for Dr. Usman, Biu Emirate and Borno State are always on his mind. During the height of the Boko Haram crisis, he would call and we would talk on the phone for a long time concerning the security challenge that the State was facing. He often cites instances where similar security challenges were brought under control and wondered why the Borno case was different.

I must say, Nigeria as a country should be proud of Dr. Usman and of course Biu is proud to have such a person. He was the first person to acknowledge the perennial water shortage in Biu town in the 1990s to which he single-handedly drilled some boreholes at different locations to ease the hardship. These boreholes are still functioning typical of the maintenance culture of the Biu people. He has done so many other things for humanity, and God has given him this long life to continue to impact positively on the lives of people. Perhaps, that is the secret of his sound health.

When I visited him recently, I was surprised to find him in good shape just like when I first met him 20 years ago. I dare say, the hardest thing to conquer is one’s own past, but Dr. Usman has conquered his past. You cannot fault his cognitive domain. He is the master of his world. If there is one word to describe him; it is the word ‘PLACID’.

On the occasion of his 83rd birthday anniversary celebration, I wish him good health, more good health and additional good health. He is a mentor, role model and philanthropist beyond measure. It is a great honor to know him. His birthday is December 10.

* Garga is the Director Corporate Affairs/Current Affairs, Borno Radio Television, Maiduguri