……35 Years of Service, Academic Triumph: Retired Civil Servant Thanks Faskari, Waziri Lugga, Royal Fathers, Others for Celebrating Him
By: Abdullahi Inuwa
KATSINA — From the corridors of public service to the heights of academic achievement, Dr. Abdullahi Aliyu Yar’adua has marked two major milestones in his life with a grand reception that brought together an array of Katsina’s prominent government officials, eminent traditional rulers, academics, associates and well-wishers.
The retired senior civil servant has now expressed heartfelt appreciation to the distinguished personalities and thousands of goodwill gestures that characterised the Walima organised in his honour following the successful completion of his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in English Literature at Al-Qalam University, Katsina, and his retirement after 35 years of meritorious service to the Katsina State Government.
The colourful reception, held on Sunday, November 1, 2026, was a gathering of celebration, gratitude and recognition of a journey defined by professional commitment and academic pursuit.
In an appreciation message issued on Tuesday, November 10, Dr. Yar’adua said the overwhelming attendance, prayers, goodwill and solidarity demonstrated by guests had made the occasion an unforgettable chapter in his life.
He described the gesture as a powerful reminder of the enduring relationships and friendships built throughout his years of service, expressing deep humility over the affection and generosity shown by the people who celebrated with him.
Among the high-profile personalities he acknowledged was the Secretary to the Katsina State Government, Abdullahi Garba Faskari, who served as Special Guest of Honour and was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Common Services, Geologist Aminu Dambo Tukur.
He also paid special tribute to Professor Sani Abubakar Lugga, MFR, the 5th Waziri of Katsina and Wazirin Ilimin Ƙasar Hausa, who chaired the occasion and delivered inspiring remarks.
Other prominent guests included Hon. Justice Abbas Bawale, Hon. Justice Ibrahim Mashi, both of the Katsina State High Court; Hon. Ali Abubakar Albaba, Member representing Katsina Constituency in the State House of Assembly; Head of the State Civil Service, Alhaji Mas’udu Mustapha Banye; former Head of Service and Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission, Alhaji Idris Usman Tune; and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Culture, Alhaji Tukur Hassan Danali.
Royal Fathers Add Traditional Grandeur
The presence of three eminent traditional rulers also featured prominently in the celebrant’s appreciation.
They were the Durbin Katsina and District Head of Mani, Alhaji Umar Babani Isah Mani; Danmadamin Katsina and District Head of Daddara, Alhaji Usman Usman Nagogo; and Kanwan Katsina and District Head of Ketare, Alhaji Bello Usman Kankara, mni.
Dr. Yar’adua said their attendance and goodwill messages added tremendous dignity, prestige and traditional significance to the occasion.
He equally recognised the State Controller of the Federal Fire Service, Katsina, ACF Aliyu Abdullahi; Rector of Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic, Aminu Kalla Doro; and distinguished academics from Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, including Professors Yusuf Ibrahim El-Ladan, Amina Ibrahim Inkani, Mustapha Bala Rumah and Shamsudeen Bello Kofar-Bai.
Also acknowledged were Dr. Hafsat Abubakar Kofar-Kaura, Head of the English Department, Al-Qalam University, Katsina; former Permanent Secretary, Cabinet and Security, Governor’s Office, Alhaji Sulaiman Yakubu Safana; and Alhaji Muntari Abba Usman, Special Assistant on Media to the Speaker of the Katsina State House of Assembly.
The list further featured former Permanent Secretaries Alhaji Kasimu Ibrahim Nagari, Alhaji Salisu Abdu and Alhaji Mustapha Zubairu; NUJ Katsina State Council Chairman, Comrade Aminu Dandagoro; Managing Director of Bin Yaqub Ltd, Alhaji Ibrahim Yakubu; Director of Iya Petroleum Ltd, Alhaji Umar Yola; and Malam Kabir Uje, who represented the family of the late Alhaji Mamman Shinkafi.
Guest Speaker, Organisers Earn Special Commendation
The celebrant commended Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Musa Abdullahi Filin Samji, the guest speaker, for his eloquent and intellectually stimulating presentation, while Ustaz Ahmad Salisu received appreciation for opening the event with recitations from the Holy Qur’an.
He also described the organising committee as the backbone of the successful reception, praising its members for their initiative, personal sacrifices, financial contributions and commitment to celebrating his academic and professional milestones.
Among the committee members were Aminu Ma’aji, Salisu Lawal Kerau, Engr. Bishir Mamman, Alhaji Isah Nuhu Yashe, Aminu Abdullahi K/bai, Abdullateef Yusuf, Abdulaziz Muhammad Kabir, Shehu Maikano, Engr. Lawal Hamisu Daura, Lawal Hassan Safana, Dahiru Abdu Danmusa, Sanusi Dahiru, Yakubu Sulaiman, Yakubu Ahmad Badaru Jikamshi, Hamza Audi K/bai, Aminu Abdurrahman Darma, Dr. Abubakar Muazu Jibia and Darda’u Usman Safana.
He particularly singled out Aminu Ma’aji, Salisu Lawal Kerau and Abdulaziz Muhammad Kabir, alongside their spouses and families, for their exceptional generosity and tireless efforts in coordinating and executing the programme.
ABC News, Other Media Organisations Recognised
Dr. Yar’adua also applauded the media for ensuring that the celebration received wide publicity and reached audiences beyond the physical venue.
He particularly commended Professor Ahmed Adamu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MPS Media, and his staff for providing complimentary live streaming of the event through YouTube and Facebook.
He said the initiative allowed friends, associates and well-wishers who could not attend physically to participate in the celebration virtually.
Other media organisations recognised included NTA Katsina, KTTV, KTSRS, Companion FM, Vision FM, Alfijir FM, Katsina City News, Katsina Post, Mobile Media Crew, Reality TV, Jakadiya TV, KAKAKI NETWORK, ABC News, Fresh Media Garden, Trusted Media and DJ Hassan Master.
He praised the media practitioners for their professionalism, comradeship and commitment to accurate documentation and extensive coverage of the occasion.
Emotional Tribute to Mother, Family
In one of the most touching sections of his appreciation message, Dr. Yar’adua acknowledged the unwavering support of his immediate family, led by their elder brother, Alhaji Buhari Aliyu, throughout his academic and professional journey.
He reserved his deepest gratitude for his beloved mother, whose immeasurable love, sacrifices and ceaseless prayers, he said, had remained a source of inspiration and strength throughout his life.
He prayed Almighty Allah to bless her with sound health and long life, while also seeking divine forgiveness for his late father and praying for his admission into Aljannatul Firdaus.
The retired civil servant also recognised numerous friends, neighbours and associates, including Dr. Samaila Balarabe, Director of Academic, Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic; Malam Danjuma Katsina, Chairman and CEO of Katsina Times and Taskar Labarai; Danwairen Katsina, Sada Salisu Ruma, PhD; and Alhaji Jamilu Ado, Mayafin Katsina, among several others.
While acknowledging that space and time would not permit him to mention everybody individually, he assured all those who attended that their presence, prayers and goodwill remained deeply appreciated.
Concluding his message, Dr. Yar’adua said the celebration went beyond personal academic and professional accomplishments, describing it as a reflection of the love, encouragement and collective goodwill of the people around him.
He prayed that Almighty Allah would reward everyone abundantly, bless their families, grant them sound health, fulfil their legitimate aspirations and continue to elevate them in all their endeavours.
He expressed renewed gratitude to everyone who contributed to making the November 1 reception memorable, stressing that their kindness and friendship would remain treasured.
“Na gode, Allah Ya bar zumunci,” he concluded.
About The Author
