As I reflected on two proverbs – “A scholar’s mind is like a sharp knife, it cuts through ignorance” and “A scholar’s birthday is a celebration of knowledge shared” – I realized that I don’t usually consider birth anniversaries worthy of celebration. However, after observing how communication is rapidly changing worldwide due to technological advancements, which alter the way we disseminate, receive,information, my perspective shifted.
When I came across the second proverb, emphasizing the celebration of a scholar’s birthday as a sharing of knowledge, I felt inspired to write. This was prompted by noticing how people, even reputable politicians in Nigeria, organize special events to celebrate their birth anniversaries. These celebrations showcase their contributions and achievements during their leadership tenure, inspiring others, especially the younger generation, to strive for more when they assume leadership roles.
The numerous birthday celebrations I’ve witnessed have motivated and inspired me to do more as young writer. Nevertheless, I wonder: do we celebrate scholars birthdays to motivate young readers and scholars who are so desirous to be in academic field ?
As a young writer, I see millions of reasons to celebrate the birthday of scholars who have contributed immensely to the development of knowledge. The world of communication continues to benefit from their wisdom and vast knowledge. These scholars undoubtedly deserve birthday celebrations and a tribute from the students they have trained.Through these celebrations, young readers and writers may be motivated and overcoming obstacles in order to contribute to research in the education sector.
Similarly , the recent report released by the Academic Staff Union of Universities in Nigeria (ASUU) highlighted a concerning trend of younger Nigerians are losing interest in pursuing university lecturing careers due to poor payment in the country.Morever, Organizing birthday celebrations of notable scholars to enlighten young minds about the commitment, dedication, and benefits of serving the nation through the education sector and impacting knowledge is vital and important.
I know readers may find the background a little long, but it’s about a birthday tribute to the first Professor of Communication in Northern Nigeria, Professor Umar Pate!
Professor Umar Pate, an indigene of Adamawa State, was born on January 4,1964.The God who created the earth and the heavens knows why He brought him to the field of communication studies. Professor Pate is one of those who trained many professors in communication in the country and the world at large. Let’s delve deeper and celebrate the birth anniversary of the renowned scholar who has produced multiple Professors and PhD holders in Communication Field .
Although I didn’t have the opportunity to live with Professor Umar Pate, I knew about him before completing my senior secondary education. One of my cousin’s brothers studied Mass Communication at Bayero University, Kano. Whenever they came home for holidays, they would share stories about Professor Pate generosity, kindness, and unique teaching style.
Those brief narrations of Prof Umar Pate sparked and attracts my interest in Mass Communication. Later, after securing admission to Federal Polytechnic, Kaduna, I continued to hear about Professor Umar Pate a scholar in Communication. Our lecturers would often cite him as an example in their lectures .That alone, also motivated me to keep asking Who’s Professor Umar Pate?
During my first visit to Barnawa area in Kaduna to celebrate Eid-al-Kabir at my friend Muktar Awal Mai Iyali residence, he took me to meet the renowned communicator and author of a book “Grassroots Broadcaster” Dr. Musa Idris Barnawa, who is now the General Manager at FRCN Jigawa state office. Dr. Barnawa enthusiastically shared with us how Professor Umar Pate significantly contributed to his educational journey while pursuing his PhD at Bayero University, Kano.That story also posed and developed strong curiosity and hunger to know Professor Pate in face ?
Professor Umar Pate in his Teaching style
One of Professor Umar Pate distinctive teaching styles in the university’s Mass Communication department was emphasizing the importance of current affairs. He usually task and advise students to be well-informed and prepared to answer unscheduled or unexpected questions during lectures.
He however, had a unique rule, students must bring either a radio or newspaper to his class. Having a newspaper or radio set became necessary and a “passport” to enter his class, after students possessed these items was not enough, He would randomly ask questions to ensure students had read or listened to the day’s news.This approach helped his students stay informed about almost everything happening globally and around them Which encourages them to learn from professional writers and the style of news presentation on the radio.
That style of Professor Umar Pate’s teaching didn’t end there! Another aspect of his approach was the “Non-Stop” method.According to Dr. Yahaya Abubakar, one of Professor Umar Pate students who is now a PhD holder and lecturer at the Department Of Mass Communication,University of Maiduguri, this method involved assigning students a reading task and asking them to present on any topic of their choice without repetition. If a student repeated something during their presentation, they would be asked to start all over again.This method was basically aimed to teach students how to avoid repetition and tautology in their communication like Public speaking.
Extension of Broadcasting and Department of Mass Communication in Northern Nigeria:
The existence of Professor Umar Pate as a communication scholar in Northern Nigeria paved the way for unprecedented development in the growing Department of Mass Communication in northern universities, such as:
Kaduna State University
University of Sokoto
Federal University Kashere
Borno State University among others. these Department witnessed a rapid development with the efforts of Professor Umar Pate.In Borno State University, I was an eyewitness to how he secured departmental equipment and gadgets worth about or more than ₦100 millions, just to see the department stand on its feet and produce qualitative graduates with advanced communication skills, it’s about Professor Pate a father of communication in Nigeria!
Promoting Indigenous Language Broadcasting
During my first encounter with Professor Umar Pate at the University of Maiduguri, the Department of Mass Communication, led by Dr. Abdulmuthadallib Ado Abubakar, organised a special interaction session. The event brought together students from the Mass Communication departments of three varsities in Borno State: Borno State University, Al-Ansar University, and the University of Maiduguri.
That day! marked my first face to face encounter with Professor Umar Pate, providing me with a long-awaited opportunity to engage with him. On that day Students posed questions, and Professor Pate, known for his affection and love for students, responded to each inquiry. Interestingly, according to students hear says and hears says from other Departments at Federal University Kashere, where Professor Pate is currently the Vice-Chancellor, they often refer to their peers as “Yan Gatan VC”. this is because generosity and love for mass communication students they refer to their peers as “Yan Gatan VC”.
On that day, Professor Umar Pate narrated his struggles and journey as a scholar. In the process, he highlighted their contributions to introducing the use of indigenous languages in broadcasting in Nigeria. Such efforts provided an avenue for the indigenous language to be recognized particularly Hausa language become one of the leading language of broadcasting in Africa and the world at large.This is a glimpse and tribute of birthday of Professor Umar Pate,into the little I Know in life of Professor Umar Pate, a leading communication scholar in the world of Communication.
Individuals like Professor Umar Pate in Northern Nigeria deserve more than just a tribute; they deserve special events and celebrations to mark their birthdays. This would highlight the significant impact they’ve had on the region. Just as Professor Wole Soyinka’s contributions are celebrated on his birthday, acknowledging Professor Pate achievements would motivate younger minds.When younger generations witness the positive impact scholars like Professor Pate have on society, it could rekindle their interest in pursuing careers in lecturing.
However,in Nigeria, regardless of your role in communication whether in academia (universities or polytechnic) or in the marketplace, practicing mass communication- you are benefiting from his wisdom, knowledge, and experience .I oftentimes put that “If he didn’t teach you, he taught your boss, or the person who taught you in university or polytechnic.”
Sir, as you turn 61st, I wish you many more years filled with grace and blessings. We thank you for the knowledge you’ve impacted to us through those you’ve adequately and professionally trained and mentored.
Sale Rusulana Yanguruza
Department Of Mass Communication
Borno State University can be reach through salesaifullahi931@gmail.com
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