*Call him source of inspiration
By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
Prominent Nigerian leaders on Thursday, in Abuja, honoured a foremost educationist and Vice-Chancellor of three universities, Prof. David Adamu Baikie, who passed on at the age of 94 years.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the occasion, Lt. General TY Danjuma (rtd), described Baikie as a source of inspiration to Nigerians, especially the youths, urging them to demonstrate the power of selfless service, integrity, and character building.
Eulogizing a man, who was the Vice-Chancellor of three Universities- Universities of Benin, Edo State;
Lesotho in Southern Africa; and Nassarawa State, Danjuma noted the leadership qualities portrayed by the late educationist was second to none.
He also noted his honesty and the enduring legacy, which he left behind, adding, “we honor him for his selfless service to Nigeria as a whole and to the African continent.”
He said: “We gather here tonight to honour the life and legacy of the late Professor David Adamu Baikie, a giant in Nigerian education, who passed on to glory on the 12th day of December 2025, at the age of 94.
“Professor David Adamu Baikie was a foremost Nigerian educationist who contributed tremendously to the development of education in Nigeria and across Africa. His remarkable career trajectory span more than six decades, beginning as a pupil teacher in Wusasa in 1952 and ascending to the highest levels of academic leadership.
“He served as dean of the faculty of education at Amadu Bello University in Zaria, and then went on to serve as vice-chancellor of three distinguished universities.
“The focus of this evening is to reflect on the life and times of Professor David Adamu Baikie, to celebrate his excellence, his leadership qualities, his honesty, and the enduring legacy he lives behind.
“We honor him for his selfless service to Nigeria and as a whole and to the African continent.
“It is our hope that these tributes will serve as a source of inspiration to Nigerians, especially our youths demonstrating the power of selfless service, integrity, and character building.
“Each tribute will paint a fuller picture of the man we honor tonight, a man whose life was marked by an unwavering dedication to excellence, profound humility, and enduring commitment to lifting others.
“Let us approach this tribute not with sorrow, but with gratitude for a life so richly lived and so generously given in service of others. Professor Baikie’s legacy lives on”, he stressed.
Also speaking, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed called on the Northern leaders and Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) to create a special scholarship scheme to train teachers, to immortalize Baikie.
He said: “To immortalize Professor Adamu Baikie, apart from whatever you do, there is a need for Northern Nigeria, through the ACF and our leaders, to create a special scholarship scheme to train teachers, to train teachers, to train teachers, and this will be dedicated to the memory of Professor Adamu Baikie.”
Ahmed further said: “Nigeria produced a personality whose records can hardly be surpassed by any educationist in this world. Professor David Adamu Baikie remained a pillar of Nigeria’s education. “He was a professional teacher who professionally produced professional teachers.
“Out of the 94 years spent on this earth, Professor Adamu Baikie spent 60 years with Amadu Bello University. If there is any institution or any group of scholars that would be eternally grateful to this man, Amadu Bello University is number one.
“There are three things which I came to learn from the life of Professor Adamu
“First, Professor Adamu Baikie was a devout Christian. And he understood the meaning and practice of being a devout Christian. It is not always easy to say that you are a Christian. He knows what Christianity is all about. He respected boundaries. He respected other religious beliefs.
“And he was always relevant when it came to teaching people spirituality. I hope that we here will endeavor to imbibe the speciality and peculiarity of our late father, Professor Adamu Baikie The second aspect of his life is that he was an educationist.
“If you can quantify the contribution of this man to the educational development, especially in the North, you would take more than 60 percent. Even I, whose humility stands before you, to talk about him was a direct beneficiary of Adamu Baikie’s foresight. “I was a product of School of Basic Studies, and he was key in conceiving and giving us a curriculum which made us study A-level in one and a half years.”
On his part, Prof. Jerry Gana said Baikie raised men who were educated and civilized and people of distinction, adding, “Professor Adamu Baikie left a legacy of honor and distinction, a tremendous person who excelled immensely in the field of education.
“He contributed immensely to the growth, development, and the spirit of academic excellence at the University of Benin. He was a celebrated vice chancellor.
“We also remember him immensely as someone who gave a lot to society by way of bringing up ideas. Not only was he a leading the vice chancellor in Benin, in fact he excelled, became vice chancellor in the National University of Minnesota, and then came back and founded a state university that has really become highly reputable, the National State University Cafe.”
Prominent Nigerians who graced the tributes and orations are: David Mark, TY Danjuma, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau state, Ahmed Yayale, Jerry Gana, the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (Spoke through Virtual) and others.
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