…..Says Age, Retirement Should Not Stop Pursuit of Academic Excellence
By: Abdullahi Inuwa
The Kanwan Katsina and District Head of Ketare, Alhaji Usman Bello Kankara, has called on civil servants, youths and journalists to embrace lifelong learning and continuously pursue educational advancement, irrespective of age or retirement from active service.
Kankara made the call while congratulating Dr. Abdullahi Aliyu Yar’adua, who retired as a Director from the Katsina State Civil Service after 35 years of meritorious service and subsequently earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in English Literature from Al-Qalam University, Katsina.
The royal father, who was the Royal Father of the Day at a reception organised in Yar’adua’s honour by the Committee of Friends, described his achievement as a remarkable demonstration of determination, self-development and an enduring passion for knowledge.
He said Yar’adua’s decision to pursue and successfully obtain a doctorate degree after the age of 60 had sent a powerful message that age should never be an obstacle to education, personal growth and the fulfilment of one’s aspirations.
According to him, retirement from active service should not signal the end of learning or meaningful contributions to society, but rather create opportunities for individuals to acquire new knowledge, share their experiences and mentor younger generations.
Kankara, a holder of the prestigious Member of the National Institute (mni) award from the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, urged serving and retired civil servants to take advantage of available educational opportunities to improve their knowledge, professional competence and career prospects.
He stressed that continuous learning was essential for effective service delivery, institutional development and personal fulfilment.
The monarch also challenged young people to remain committed to academic excellence, urging them to cultivate the habit of acquiring knowledge throughout their lifetime rather than viewing education as something limited to their early years.
He particularly appealed to Al-Qalam University, Katsina, to consider engaging Dr. Yar’adua as a lecturer, noting that his 35 years of public service experience, combined with his academic qualifications, would be invaluable in mentoring students and strengthening the institution’s academic development.
Describing the celebrant as a dedicated and selfless public servant, Kankara said his contributions to the civil service and determination to advance his education deserved recognition and emulation.
He wished him continued success, good health and greater opportunities, while urging him to deploy his wealth of professional experience and newly acquired academic knowledge towards the development of Katsina State and humanity.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the occasion, the fifth Wazirin Katsina and Wazirin Ilimin Kasar Hausa, Professor Sani Abubakar Lugga, congratulated Yar’adua on his successful retirement and academic accomplishment.
Lugga charged the celebrant to remain honest, committed and dedicated to giving back to society, emphasising that knowledge becomes more valuable when it is shared for the benefit of humanity.
The occasion attracted prominent personalities from different sectors, including Justice Abbas Bawale of the Katsina State High Court of Justice; the member representing Katsina Local Government in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Aliyu Albaba; and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Umaru Musa Yar’adua University.
Others included the Executive Chairman of the Katsina State Zakkat and Waqaf Board, Dr. Ahmad Musa Filin Samji; Chairman of the Katsina State Civil Service Commission, Alhaji Idris Tune; Durbin Katsina and District Head of Mani; and Danmadamin Katsina and District Head of Daddara.
Also in attendance were serving and retired Permanent Secretaries, academics, civil servants, journalists, friends and family members of the celebrant.
The academic community was represented by the Heads of English Departments at Al-Qalam University and Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Dr. Hafsat Abubakar Kofar-Kaura and Dr. Mustapha Bala Rumah, respectively, as well as the Head of Environmental Science at Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Professor Amina Ibrahim Inkani.
Highlights of the ceremony included recitation from the Holy Qur’an by Ustaz Ahmad Salisu, a religious admonition (Nasihah) delivered by Dr. Ahmad Musa, and the presentation of awards and gifts to Dr. Yar’adua in recognition of his distinguished public service career and academic accomplishments.
Dr. Yar’adua, a retired Director of Press at Government House, Katsina, is also a veteran journalist and broadcaster who began his professional career with the Katsina State Radio.
Beyond his achievements in public service and journalism, he is widely recognised in Katsina State as an experienced Master of Ceremonies (MC), having established himself as a prominent figure at social, cultural and official events.
His attainment of a PhD after 35 years in public service and retirement at over 60 has further reinforced the message at the heart of the celebration: the pursuit of knowledge has no retirement age.
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