Disability: Tears, Tributes as Young BUK Best Computer Science Student Dies
AREWA AGENDA – Usman Gezawa, a level 400 genius student with disability in the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, Bayero University Kano, has passed on.
Until his death, Usman was a 5pointer who has a Grade Point Average of 5.00 in all the semesters he has passed through, making his CGPA to be 5.00, the overall best in the Faculty.
Gezawa, a young boy in his early 20’s with special needs (he could not stand, walk on sit down by himself) was a computer programmer and ardent reader who had proven time and again over his brief stay in this world that there is ability in disability.
He is reported to have made a whooping nine A1 in his WAEC and won the most talented student award at Crescent International School where he did his secondary education. He was also a panelist at the first Social Media Influencers Summit held in July 2019 in Kano.
In December 2019, he was a TEDex speaker, where he spoke from his wheelchair about “Ability in Disability”
During the session, he talked about the challenges people with disabilities (PWDs) faces in Nigeria, how he was very fortunate to be different and finally, like Stephen Hawking, he gave a sense of hope to every PWD world over.
Gezawa was reputed to have tweaked Samsung phone to suit people with disability.
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In one of the short clip that went viral last year, the deposed Emir of Kano, in the person of His Highness Muhammad Sunusi II, honoured Gezawa by walking to where Usman was seated (on his wheelchair) to present the certificate of graduation from Islamiya (in slate form, as it’s done by Islamic schools) to him.
Traditionally, when its a student turn to receive his slate, the student shall walk to where the Emir is seated, kneel and the Emir will award the slate (certificate) to him or her but when it was the turn of Usman to follow the same protocol to receive his certificate, the Emir stood from his chair, walked to where Usman was seated on his wheelchair and presented him his slate of graduation.
The chants of “Allahu Akbar (Allah is Great)” filled the air as the emir displayed an act of respect and honour to the handicapped.
Since his death was announced, torrents of tributes have continued to pour in from his admirers, family and friends.
Abba Umar wrote, “Innalillahi wainna ilaihi rajiun. May Allah forgive your short coming Usman S Gezawa May Allah make jannah your final destination.”
His classmate, Haliru Abubakar Dabai wrote, “What a shock(sic) news!!! Our classmate Usman S Gezawa has passed away this morning He’s an overall student in the whole BUK May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him jannah. My condelence to the entire people in faculty of computer science and information technology and BUK family at large.”
While Abu Mus’ab Imam Az-Zubyr said, “Inna lillahi wa inna lillahi raji’un! Regret to announce the death of brother Usman S Gezawa this morning. Allah have mercy on this soul and grant him Jannah Al-Firdaus.”
Arewa Agenda is a Publication of Young Writers from Northern Nigeria towards Peaceful Coexistence and National Development through positive narratives.
