RECTOR OUT OF BLUE: Dr Sha’ayau Shehu Mafara, Ph.D. MNSBMB, MNISEB, MNSN

RECTOR OUT OF BLUE: Dr Sha’ayau Shehu Mafara, Ph.D. MNSBMB, MNISEB, MNSN

Arguably one of the most accomplished men in the history of our time, Dr. Sha’ayau Shehu Mafara. With all sense of modesty it will only be an understatement if Dr Sha’ayau Shehu is referred to as a great man, a visionary leader, an erudite scholar, a scientist par excellence, a revered Imam, a caring father, a patient guide, and a mentor. Without a doubt, one of the most prolific creator, a positive thinker and result oriented leader in our history. The list is endless.

Prior to his attaining the exalted position of the Rector, Abdu Gusau Polytechnic Talata Mafara, he has always exceptionally from the inception of his career craved and exhibited strong commitment and zeal to serve and advance for the best in the discharge of his duties . This, he has done remarkably well for the up-liftment of the standard of the institution structures, staff and students’ welfare.

Born to the family of late Alhaji Shehu Imani in ‘Yan Hudu Area, Talata Mafara metropolis, on the 27^th of October 1974. Started his educational pursuit with an enrollment into Sheik Maharazu Qur’anic School, ‘Yan Hudu, Talata Mafara, where he learnt Arabic and Qur’an literacy, and Islamic Jurisprudence. His display of intelligence and wisdom at an early age coupled with encouragement from his father propelled him to higher heights. It also paved way for his enrollment into formal education at an early age. He was enrolled into Township Model Primary school now Abubakar Tunau Primary School Talata Mafara from 1980-1986, and then selected among pioneer pupils in Model Primary School (Now Dr. A.M Dogo Model Primary School Talata Mafara from 1985 to 1986. Successfully had his Junior Secondary Education from prestigious Kanta Collage Argungu (now Kanta Unity Collage) from 1987-1989, proceeded to Government Science Collage in Birnin Kebbi (now Nagari Collage) for Senior Secondary Education from 1990-1992. Usman Danfodiyo University Sokoto was his next formal education center from 1993 -1998 where he had his Bachelor’s Degree in Biochemistry (B.sc Hons), like any other graduate in March 1999; he was deployed to Gombe State for one-year National Youth Service Corpse (NYSC) Scheme and passed out in February 2000. In 2008, he earned the Zamfara State Government’s Fellowship for Postgraduate Studies in India, where he studied Biochemistry at Jamia Hamdard (Hamdard University), New Delhi and graduated in 2010 with M.Sc. He attended the RDS Computer Institute, Sangham Vihaar, New Delhi, India between 2008 and 2009, where he obtained a Diploma in Computer.

Dr Sha’ayau Shehu Mafara also enrolled into the Central Institute of Management and Technology, Ambala, India for a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from 2009 to 2010 where he got his PGDE. In 2013, he also earned the prestigious Commonwealth Scholarship in the United Kingdom for Doctoral Research at the University of Liverpool, where he conducted research in Immunology and successfully obtained Ph.D. Degree in Biochemistry (Immunology) in September 2017.

Teachers often aren’t recognized until late in life for their contributions to their students’ lives, if they are recognized at all, but sometimes there are exceptions. Dr Sha’ayau Shehu Mafara is one of those exceptions; he positively impacted on the lives of his students. He started as a career civil servant with Government Science Secondary School, Gusau as Master I between 2000 and 2001.

He also served as Principal Scientific Officer and in-charge of Water Treatment Plant at Zamfara State Water Board Gusau Area Office, from 2002 to 2004. Progressively, he was also appointed as the Assistant General Manager (Quality Control) at Zamfara State Water Board Head Quarters, by Zamfara State Executive Governor in 2008. He worked at Zamfara College of Arts and Science (ZACAS) Gusau, where he rose to the position of Senior Lecturer from 2004 to 2012 and was the pioneer Coordinator, Diploma in Science Laboratory Technology (SLT) in the institution. Dr Sha’aya Shehu Mafara joined the services of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto in 2012 as Lecturer I in the Department of Biochemistry, where he served and rose to the post 9f a Senior Lecturer until his recent appointment as the Rector, Abdu Gusau Polytechnic Talata Mafara by Zamfara State Executive Governor in August 2019, a position he presently holds. He is also currently a Visiting Senior Lecturer at the Department of Biochemistry, Federal University Gusau. He has numerous publications in reputable national and international journals to his credit. A revered religious figure, Dr Sha’aya Shehu Mafara is the Chief Imam of Imam Malik Jumu’at Mosque Damba, Gusau following his installation by His Royal Highness, the Emir of Gusau in 2013. A recipient of many awards for both academic & administrative excellence. A man of enormous talents and remarkable drive set, a silent achiever whose love for the less and under -privileged gave birth to IMANI FOUNDATION, (the never-before-told true story) where the less privileged are given home treatment away from their homes. Dr. Sha’ayau Shehu Mafara founded IMANI FOUNDATION to support children’s education beyond the classroom. This tremendous support have been received and enjoyed indiscriminately by many students/pupils.

With an objective of making education easier for all, IMANI FOUNDATION is determined to change the culture and narrative in our society, that only the well to do children can attend good and quality schools. In less than two years now of its existence, it has reached out to uncountable schools in the local government with nearly 2,398 children benefiting from the foundation and still counting. The outreach is not limited to the schools/classrooms alone; it also extends to other ramifications of life. The volunteers members of IMANI FOUNDATION come from diverse social and Educational backgrounds and they are running the foundation with passion, dedication and hard work.

It is much more beyond education; it’s an all encompassing passion. For the founder, Dr Sha’ayau Shehu Mafara, family and society are one as such many gestures of kindness were extended for the benefit of all.

* Donation of medical facilities, washing detergents & mosquito nets to General Hospital Talata Mafara.

* Supply of textbooks, mats, Kettles, water reservoirs to Islamiyya schools across the local government.

* Renovations of some Islamiyya Schools, to boost Qur’anic knowledge. Financial support to poor and needy for medical bills & surgery.

* Feeding to poor and needy, little money; items during fasting, Sallah celebration, wedding and naming events.

* Job creation, employment; youth skills acquisition for our teaming youths.

* General support to all community’s social welfare, guidance; counseling, promoting unity, peace, love among the public.

* Repairs and construction of boreholes, grounds check/ maintenance of graveyards.

* Providing other supports & logistics to Governor Matawalle works; visions. Getting a match for Dr Sha’ayau Shehu Mafara is indeed a Hercules task. All hail the detribalized, peace loving and development driven Rector---Dr Sha’ayau Shehu Mafara.

“I thank God and all those wonderful people for all they contributed in this work, despite their tight schedules, let me offer the usual courtesy of taking sole responsibility for all the errors found in this work”- Sani Abubakar Garba

 

Long live our Rector,

Long live Abdu Gusau Polytechnic,

Long live Zamfara State.