By Victoria Onehi
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, has described the passing-on of Professor Emeritus Umar Shehu, CFR, today Monday, October 2, 2023, as a great loss to Nigeria for his tireless lifetime efforts to improve public health.
Describing the life of Professor Shehu as an invaluable asset who dedicated his scholarship and professional life to the advancement of population health outcomes.
Professor Pate in a statement issued by his SA Media & External Relations,Tashikalmah Hallah, in Abuja mourning the exit of the renowned Physician and public health expert said, “Professor Umar Shehu has been an inspiration to many generations of physicians and public health practitioners, whom he taught and mentored over a distinguished lifetime.”
The Minister recalled the leadership role late Professor Shehu played in the fight to eradicate smallpox and wild polio virus in the country, a performance he said the country will always remember.
The statement reads in part’
“Despite advancing in age Prof Umaru Shehu was never tired of giving advice or traveling to engage on important issues of health. We have indeed lost today our elder medical statesman, a great scholar, and a fantastic human being, Prof emeritus Umaru Shehu. May Allah grant his soul aljannah firdaus Amin. We extend deepest condolences to his family.”Pate said.
