By Waziri Isa Adam
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has lost a world class Scholar of Urban Planning and Management, in the institution’s faculty of environmental design, Tpl. Professor Muhammad Bello Yunusa, FNITP.
Professor MB, as he is popularly known and addressed, died yesterday (Saturday) at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Shika-Zaria, after a protracted illness.
A foundation and leading Icon of the Planning Family in Nigeria, the deceased is expected to be buried this morning in his country home, Dekina local government area of Kogi state, according to Islamic rites.
Before his demise, he served the university in different capacities.
He was the pioneer Director of World Bank Africa Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement.
He was at one time the Managing Director of Ahmadu Bello University Consultancy Services. He was also Dean of the institution’s Faculty of Environmental Design and Head of Urban and Regional Planning Department.
The highly religious Professor who was an epitome of humility is a Laureate Fellow of the CODESRIA Institute, Dakar, Senegal. He also served the Institute and Town Planning Profession in various capacities which included Chairman, NITP Examination Board, a position he occupied until his death.