By Nurudeen Dauda
Inna lillahi wa’inna illahi Raji un! (Verily, to Allah we belong and to Him, we shall return). Professor Jibrin Aminu (1939-2025) is no more! The death of Prof. Jibrin Aminu is indeed the demise of a great soul in many “respects”. It is indeed the fall of an “Iroko” in our dear country. Prof. Aminu was a giant in different endeavours during his life time. He was a medical genius! A patriot , an elder statesman, a renowned cardiologist, an excellent academic, a distinguished public servant, a sound diplomat and a distinguished Senator.
He served as the Executive Secretary National Universities Commission (NUC) from 1975 to 1979, a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri from 1980 to 1985. He held office as Federal Minister of Education and then Federal Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources from 1989 to 1992. While serving as Petroleum Minister he was President of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization in 1991 and President of the OPEC Conference from 1991 to 1992.
He was elected a delegate to the National Constitutional Conference (1994–1995). From 1999 to 2003, he served sa Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, he served as a Senator representing Adamawa Central Senatorial District from 2003 to 2011. While serving as a Senator he was appointed to committees on Foreign Affairs, Education, Air Force and Health.
Born in Song, Adamawa State, in 1939. He was a distinguished consultant cardiologist, a field where he gained recognition as one of Nigeria’s most celebrated medical professionals. His medical training at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, in the 1960s, was legendary. His brilliance in Medicine earned him a multitude of prestigious academic and professional accolades, signaling his deep commitment to scholarship. Prof. Aminu obtained his M.B.B.S from the University of Ibadan in 1965, and a PhD in Medicine from the Royal Post-Graduate Medical School, London in 1972.
He was appointed a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science in 1972, a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, London in 1980 and a Fellow of the West African College of Physicians also in 1980. He was made a Distinguished Fellow of the Nigerian Postgraduate Medical College in 2004.
Prof. Aminu was versatile which was demonstrated through his diplomatic and legislative assignments. His was one of Nigeria’s most decorated medical professionals. He was a man of uncommon intellect. His contributions to medicine, academia, diplomacy, and the growth of democracy in Nigeria are legendary. He made significant contributions to the establishment of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, the second generation universities, the National Primary Education Board, now Universal Basic Education (UBEC), the Nomadic Education Board, among others.
He left an indelible mark on our nation. His demise is indeed a huge loss not only to his immediate family, home state of Adamawa, Northern Nigeria, the country at large, but is to humanity as a whole.
May the Almighty Allah have mercy on him. Please accept my condolences!
Nurudden Dauda sent in article via:
nurudeendauda.blogspot.com