Celebrating Prof Pate @62
By Bilyaminu Gambo Kong-kol
Day four of my January appreciation series falls on the birthday of Nigeria’s most senior communication scholar, Professor Umaru A. Pate. Tears well up as I reflect on this milestone, because my life changed forever through him.
Our journey began in 2018, appreciation to his friend, the late Oga Umar Mustapha of NTA. Oga Umar joined us at the News and Current Affairs Department of Pulaaku FM after retiring. I must confess, after my National Diploma and six months of training at Konngol Silver tongue Language and Training Institute, I had given up on my academic dreams. I settled into my salary from the radio station and New Generation Science Academy in Yola, content to wait for my unborn children to carry the torch.
Then came Oga Umar Mustapha’s call that shook my soul. “You do not deserve to be here at Pulaaku FM. Go back to class. I have a friend who will secure your admission at BUK.” My uncle, Salihu Abdullahi Bapetel, echoed the same plea, heartbroken that my close friend Adamu Garba had gone to BUK while I lingered in Yola.
After being admitted, I rarely saw Professor Pate. His national and international duties kept him away, and as a Direct Entry student, I missed his Level 100 classes. I waited two years for Level 400. Still, we connected now and then, in his office or home, often with my coursemate Mallam Ghali Abdu. Those moments felt like quiet miracles.
The Federal University of Kashere’s Vice Chancellor is a living encyclopedia, not just for communication but for life and society. He pours out wisdom, breathes knowledge, and radiates compassion and humility. His undergraduate classes in MAC4206 Political Communication and MAC4218 Media and Conflict, where I served as Class Captain, blended course descriptions perfectly with raw, real life lessons. Missing even one class felt like losing gems from sociology, political science, history, geography, psychology, science, entertainment and many more.
On a personal level, he draws students from every background with genuine care. I vividly remember one student trying to leverage religion for official favour. Professor Pate rebuked him firmly, teaching us all about true integrity.
After graduating from BUK, I believed our paths had parted. But Professor Pate’s support only grew. In August 2023, when NAS FM Yola offered me roles as Government House Correspondent or Manager of News and Current Affairs in Mubi, I turned to him repeatedly, desperate to avoid a lifelong mistake. His counsel rang clear: pick either, as long as the station allowed my upcoming NYSC. I chose Mubi for its impact on my Senatorial District, a decision that stirred my heart.
Months later, on October 29th, 2023, I shared my NYSC posting to Kano. “Vodi” ( Nice one) he said warmly. Possibly, you may redeploy, ko? possibly to gombe so that you could come to FUK if you want, you can meet me in the Faculty in BUK tomorrow.
My NAS FM agreement required relocation to Adamawa or nearby to keep serving, but after meeting the FUK Vice Chancellor and wider consultations, I quit and moved to Kashere. My heart overflowed with possibilities.
Beyond the university offer, he granted me a scholarship for my Master’s and every support to match the life I left in Mubi. He sponsored conferences across four geopolitical zones, expanding my academic and social world in ways I never imagined.
At the Master’s level, I drank deeply from his vast knowledge. Over the last two years, I attended most of his undergraduate classes, and served as his Teaching Assistant revitalizing and magnifying the teaching career I began a decade ago. To sum it up, this magnanimous scholar orchestrated my appointment as a permanent, and pensionable federal government lecturer, alongside two others he treated equally.
Coincidentally, the three of us share the same age range. We finished Primary and Secondary Schools in 2007 and 2013, then gained admission to Adamawa State Polytechnic, Yola, for National Diploma in Mass Communication that 2013 academic year. Life pulled us apart—my deferment led me to the radio station and school I mentioned earlier—but Professor Umaru A. Pate reunited us as coursemates in Kashere.
Apart from my parents, no one has ever showered me with such unique love and support. Professor Umaru A. Pate embodies the compassion, empathy, humility, and respect of our forefathers. To me, he is not just my teacher, but my father and mentor.
Allah tokkin njamu, risku, imanaku e juutal balde, Barkama. Allah Yaafu saaro’en.
Bilyaminu Gambo Abubakar writes from Kano