Elder statesman, Adamu Fika is dead

The passing of Alhaji Adamu Fika, the Wazirin of Fika, has been confirmed by Daily Trust. Alhaji Idris Adamu Kukuri, the Danburan of Fika, conveyed this information in a recent phone conversation with Daily Trust.

Subsequent arrangements for his burial will be made in consultation with Alhaji Muhammadu Abali, the Emir of Fika, though close family sources and acquaintances have shared that the distinguished statesman passed away last night at the age of 90 while returning to Nigeria from the United Kingdom, where he had sought medical treatment.

Hassan Gimba Ahmed, who is very close to the family of the deceased, said, “He was being brought back home from the United Kingdom in chattered flight but died mid-air, may Allah grant him Aljannatul Firdausi.”

Hassan Gimba Ahmed, a close associate of the Fika family, revealed that the aircraft transporting him landed in Kaduna. Decisions regarding his final resting place, whether in Kaduna or in Fika, Yobe State, will be determined shortly.

Born in 1933, the late Adamu Fika was a highly respected elder statesman and a proficient administrator. He held key positions throughout his career, serving as the Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria. Additionally, he chaired the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF).

His educational journey included attending Kaduna Government College (now Barewa College) in Zaria from 1948 to 1951 and studying at the Nigerian College of Arts Science and Technology in Zaria from 1952 to 1953, which is now known as Ahmadu Bello University, where he was among the pioneering students.

His professional career began with his appointment as the Provincial Inspector of Education and Provincial Education Officer in Zaria in 1960, followed by the role of Inspector of Education in Adamawa Province, Yola, in 1962. In 1962, he became the Principal of the Federal Training Centre (FTC) in Kaduna.

Subsequently, Malam Adamu Fika held positions such as Deputy Secretary at the Interim Common Services Agency from 1968 to 1970 and later as Secretary from 1970. He was also appointed as the Commissioner of Finance for North-Eastern State in 1972.

Transitioning to the federal civil service, he served as Permanent Secretary in several Ministries, including Internal Affairs (1975), Commerce (1979), Public Service Department in the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (1981-1982), and Communications (1982-1984). He also served as Permanent Secretary in the Police Affairs Department, Executive Office of the President, and later in the Federal Capital Territory, where he held the position of Chief Executive of the Federal Capital Development Authority in Abuja from 1984.

Malam Adamu Fika’s illustrious career culminated in his appointment as the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation in January 1986, a role he held until his retirement from the Federal Public Service in April 1988. Even after retirement, his expertise continued to be in demand.

He received numerous honors and awards, including the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) by the Federal Government in 1992 and an LL.D Honoris Causa from Bayero University in the same year.