Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has expressed profound sorrow over the death of Professor Hafizu Miko Yakasai, a distinguished linguist of international acclaim, who passed away on Thursday following an illness.
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The governor’s condolence message, released on Friday by his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, described Professor Yakasai as a celebrated scholar whose work significantly advanced the study of the Hausa language. His contributions included developing the English-Hausa and Hausa-English dictionaries and fostering translation and lexicography in Nigeria.
Professor Yakasai also held leadership roles within the Nigerian Institute of Translators and Interpreters (NITI), serving as pioneer Vice President and later President. He played a key role in organizing NITI’s national congresses and helped establish its Kano State Council in 2021.
Governor Yusuf extended heartfelt condolences to the family of the late professor and the entire Bayero University community, praying that Almighty Allah grants him eternal rest and a place in Jannatul Firdausi.
At the time of his passing, Professor Yakasai was serving as a Professor of Linguistics and Foreign Languages and Provost of the College of Humanities at Bayero University, Kano.