By Abubakar Imam
Despite hailing from and living in the same Pakata neighbourhood for decades , I was unknown to Dr. Abdulateef Iyanda Bako. I did not exist in his consciousness until two years ago. Although, and , as not unexpected, I have known him for decades as one of my “area brothers” he never knew me. The situation might have been informed by the gap in my age and his which did not encourage much interactions.
I, however, knew him at home and on the field of soccer, particularly at my great alma mata, Barakat Community Secondary School,Ilorin, where he used to play football with his contemporaries from other parts of Pakata and beyond right from the 1980s. I was a consistent spectator who enjoyed watching others play the round leather game!
When I first met him at the meeting of the Business Committee of the University of Ilorin Congregation (which both of us attended as representatives of our various Units) in January, 2020, I greeted him in “tile tile” style (as an homeboy) but the way he responded convinced me that he didn’t know me.
Fortunately, on the evening of the same day we met again at the Walimat eve of the eldest son of my mentor, who is also the Chairman of the Zaria Branch of Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), Dr. Abdulwahab Salman Adisa. It was there I formally introduced myself to him as both of us joined others in devouring “Masa Walima” with hot tea while listening to Waka rendition as delivered by Alhaja Iya Yakubu of Olobi Compound, Idigba,Ilorin. And since then, we have become quite friendly as I have enjoyed his characteristic fraternity and geneousity.
Ever since, this birthday boy has been very proud of yours truly as I have also been very proud of his achievements as someone who braced the storm by leaving the open field of practice for the academic world where he is now making waves too. He is so fond of me that he would not let any opportunity elude him, whether in my presence or absence, before introducing me as his “aburo” as I always feel excited too to let whoever cares to know that he is my “egbon”.
Notwithstanding the fact that we are “egbon and aburo”, Dr. Bako always appreciated every support he believed I rendered to him. He would call me to express his gratitude after reading stories about him or his Department and Faculty on the University’s weekly news publication, UNILORIN BULLETIN, on which I serve as Deputy Editor, as if reporting factual occurrences pertaining to the University and its personnel, was not my official primary duty!
Dr. Bako, a renowned town planner, outstanding academic and exemplary administrator, is the Ag. Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Ilorin. He was born in Ilorin, the headquarters of the present-day Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State on January 13,1965.
This academic giant, who is probably on his way to becoming the first Professor of Urban and Regional Planning from Ilorin Emirate, is a member of the famous Alaaya family of Pakata Area, Ilorin. Dr. Bako assumed the office of the Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences in June, 2020.
Dr. Bako is one of the five outstanding sons of Ilorin who are currently serving as Deans of various Faculties at the Better by far University. Others are Prof. Ibraheem Adeola Katibi, a renowned cardiologist and “Wakilin Likitoci” of Ilorin, who is the Dean,Faculty of Clinical Sciences; and Prof. Abdullahi S. Abubakar, an unassuming scholar of English and Dean, Faculty of Arts as well as Prof. Aliyu Ajibola Akanbi II of the Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences and Prof. O. B.Akinola of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences.
Dr. Bako’s father,Shaykh Jirijis (Girigisu) Akanbi Muhammad Ghazali Alaaya (d. 2018),was the immediate past Imam of Alaaya ancient mosque, Pakata,Ilorin. His father was also the younger brother of the immediate past National Missioner and Chief Imam of the Ansarudeen Society of Nigeria, Shaykh Ali Arazeem Alaaya (d. 2002) while his mother was Alhaja Halimat Ajobi Alaaya (d. 1991).His mum was a younger sister to late Alhaji Muhammad Sadiku Bako Aladire, a Jos-based prominent Businessman, who passed on in 1982.
This birthday boy took his surname from the alias of his beloved maternal uncle whose unexpected death 40 years ago was one of the saddest episodes in the annals of Ilorin Emirate and, most especially, Ilorin and Yoruba-speaking communities in the tin city of Jos, courtesy of his patriotism, humility and philanthropist disposition.
The Alaaya family from which this patriot hails is one of the most prominent social units in Ilorin because of its consistent production of highly valued members whose Islamic activities deepened its fame and that of the greater Ilorin Emirate. The family is specifically regarded as an haven of Islamic scholarship considering the number and caliber of propagators of Islam it has produced over the years.
In addition to the illustrious paternal uncle of the subject of this piece earlier mentioned who headed the spiritual arm of the second oldest voluntary Muslim organisation in Nigeria, Ansarudeen Society of Nigeria, for three eventful decades. Alaaya compound was also the home of Shaykh Murtala Alaaya (d. 1948) and Shaykh Muhammad Ghali Alaaya (d. 1973) as it is to Shaykh Murtala Nurudeen Alaaya,who is the present Imam of the family mosque and Grand Patron of the Northern Zone of IEDPU. Other prominent members of the family include Engr. Muhammad Ghazali Ghali (d. 2021),who was a one time Chief Transport Officer at the Kwara State Polytechnic and the second General Manager of the Kwara State Transport Corporation (Kwara Express),Ilorin; Shaykh Abdulmumini AbdulRafiu Alaaya,the Proprietor of Shaykh Murtala Alaaya Centre for Arabic and Islamic Studies,Madi,Ilorin; Dr. AbdulZabur Ghali Alaaya,the Chief Imam of GGDSS Pakata Central Mosque, Ilorin; and Dr. Ibrahim Olayiwola Ghali Alaaya of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ilorin, who is also a close aide to His Excellency, the Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; and, of course, Shaykh Shuaib Oba Alaaya as well as Dr. Hassanat Abubakar of the Department of Arabic, University of Ilorin.
Dr. Bako had his elementary education at Barakat Primary School, Ilorin, from 1970 to 1976. At that level, he was taught by many teachers including my late father, Mallam Jimoh Imam Pakata (d. 2012).He proceeded to the famous Mount Carmel College, Ilorin, where he was trained between 1976 and 1981 at the end of which he earned his West African School Certificate.
For his higher education, Dr. Bako attended the Kwara State College of Technology (now Kwara State Polytechnic), Ilorin, between 1982 and 1984 and from 1985 to 1987 from where he earned his Ordinary National Diploma and the Higher National Diploma in Town Planning, respectively. He equally attended the famous Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, in 1993 at the end of which he earned A Postgraduate Professional Diploma in Town and Regional Planning.
As an unrelenting professional, Dr. Bako studied for and received his Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning (M.U.R.P) from the University of Ibadan in 2000. He also earned his Master of Business Administration (Executive) from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso in 2002.
Following his determination to attain the pinnacle in his callings as a town planner and academic, Dr. Bako did not rest on his oars. He weathered the storm and eventually crowned his academic laurels with a doctorate degree, which he earned in Urban and Regional Planning from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, in 2012. He also attended the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) from where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Resource Management in 2016
Dr. Bako commenced his exciting working career as an NYSC Planning Officer in the Estate Department of the 82nd Division of the Nigerian Army where he offered his youth service between 1988 and 1989.He, thereafter joined the services of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Lagos,where he worked as a Town Planning Officer between 1989 and 1992.
He was a Project Manager with Diel Yusuf Associates from 1995 to 2000. He also served as a Principal Partner at ALIB Group between 1998 and 2013.
As a brilliant professional, Dr. Bako joined the services of the Lagos State Polytechnic, Surulere,Lagos, as a Lecturer III at its Department of Urban and Regional Planning where he served between 2001 and 2004. He was also an Associate Lecturer at the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Federal University of Technology, Akure,from 2010 to 2013.
In 2013, Dr.Bako joined the services of the University of Ilorin as a Lecturer I at the institution’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning. He was promoted to the rank of Senior Lecturer in 2016.
Following his exemplary diligence and infectious integrity, which he displayed in the discharge of his core duties of teaching, research and community services, Dr. Bako was deservedly elevated to the rank of an Associate Professor by the authorities of the University of Ilorin in October 2019.
Aside teaching and research, Dr.Bako has equally served the University of Ilorin in various administrative capacities. He was a Level Adviser to undergraduate students between 2013 and 2016. He also served as the Chairman, Committee on Examination Misconduct, Faculty of Environmental Sciences from 2013 to 2016.
Dr.Bako also served as a Member of the University Ethics Committee from 2014 to 2016 and the representative of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences on Business Committee of the Senate, Postgraduate School, Board of Preliminary Studies and the Faculty of Arts Board of Examiners.
He was also the Faculty of Environmental Sciences representative on the University’s Committee on Examination, Scholarship and Prize as well as the Coordinator, Faculty of Environmental Sciences Seminar Series both between 2014 and 2016.
He was the Sub-Dean, Faculty of Environmental Sciences from 2014 to 2016 and a Member of the Faculty Journal Committee in 2016. He equally served as the Ag. Head, Department of Urban and Regional Planning from 2016 to 2018.
Dr.Bako is a well-published academic. He has no fewer than 30 scientific articles singlehandedly or jointly authored and published in respected local, national as well as international journals. He has also attended several conferences, workshop and seminars which broadened his academic, administrative and professional exposures.
As a respected scholar and professional, Dr.Bako belongs to several professional organisations. These include Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria and the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, to mention a few.
Dr.Bako, who teaches 18 different undergraduate and postgraduate courses at his Department as well as at the Department of Architecture, has also supervised innumerable projects and theses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He has equally served as an External Examiner to several institutions of higher learning as he has equally consulted for not a few private and public organisations.
Despite his tight official schedules, Dr.Bako is quite religious. He is also a football enthusiast who still find time to play the game of soccer to keep fit.
Dr.Bako is also a Member of many sociocultural organisations such as Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progreesive Union (IEDPU), Ilorin Emirate Staff Association, University of Ilorin (IESA), Pakata Area Development Association (PADA) and the “Pakata Patriots”,Ilorin. It is through these organisations and others that he offered his contributions to the development of his community and humanity. He is, in fact, the Chairman of the PADA Police Building Project Committee, which is currently working on the construction of a Divisional Police Headquarters that would cover the Ubandawaki Ward of Ilorin West Local Government Area when completed and became operational.
This great Don, who is very humble, hardworking, generous and fraternal, is married and blessed with promising children.
While I congratulate Dr. Bako on his 57th birthday, I wish him many more years and decades of quality existence and rewarding services to Allah and humanity.
Imam is National Secretary, Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union, and Secretary-General,Ilorin Emirate Staff Association, University of Ilorin.
