The Department of Educational Foundations and Curriculum, Ahmadu Bello University, has organised a valedictory send forth in honour of Prof Ayuba Guga.
Prof Guga retired from the services of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria on 31st August, 2026, after reaching the 70 years retirement age.
A statement from the Public Affairs Directorate Office of the VC said the send forth took place today, Thursday, 10th September, 2026, at Yusufu Bala Usman Hall, Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria.
Declaring the event open, the Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof Adamu Ahmed, described Prof Guga as an established scholar who served the university diligently and professionally.
Prof Ahmed, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Prof Raymond B Bako, said the university is not always excited with the retirement of professors, because it is loosing institutional memory.
The Vice-Chancellor also said it is a matter of concern that within the last six to seven years, ABU had not recruited young men and women into its services.
He congratulated Prof Guga and wished him a happy retirement.
Earlier in an address of welcome, the Head, Department of Educational Foundations and Curriculum, Prof Suleiman Ismaila, stated that Prof Guga was not leaving an office, but leaving behind a legacy built through years of teaching, research, mentorship, academic leadership and service to humanity.
According to Ismaila, the contributions of Prof Guga to the university and to the field of education have touched generations of students, colleagues and scholars.
The HOD said as a department, they could not pretend that his departure will not create a vacuum, stressing that it was difficult to imagine their academic community without his presence, wisdom, experience and fatherly guidance.
In a remark, the Chairman of the Occasion, Prof Raymond Bako, said he met Prof Guga as a teacher in Zaria Teachers College, when he (Prof Guga), was the Vice Principal of the school.
Prof Bako, who is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, depicted Prof Guga as an accomplished person, that was why in 2018 when he was writing a proposal for the establishment of Africa Centre of Excellence on New Pedagogies in Engineering Education (ACENPEE), he included him.
Prof Bako commended the department for organising the event and wished him well in the life ahead.
Also speaking, the Dean, Faculty of Education, Prof Abdullahi Dalhatu, noted that Prof Guga has been a facilitator who had been mentoring all his life.
Represented by the Head, Department of Arts and Social Science Education, Prof Adamu Aliyu, the Dean said the faculty will miss Prof Guga’s presence, but not his influence.
He said many professors have exited, but have not seemingly witnessed any replacement.
On his side, the celebrant, Prof Ayuba Guga appreciated the department, and particularly Prof Raymond Bako, for being instrumental to his progress in life.
Prof Guga said the Prof Bako opened his eyes to so many things when he came to the university.
The celebrant said he could not mention everyone’s name, but anytime he looked around, he always thank God for the gift of life.
He thanked the HOD and the University Management for providing an enabling environment for him to serve the university.
High points of the event were goodwill messages from invited guests, family members and presentation of awards to the celebrant and other distinguished personalities.
