By Christina Ejeh, Alawode Khalid and Mubarak Isa
Dr. Abubakar Shehu, a lecturer I at the Department of Mass Communication, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), was recently honored with the prestigious Researcher of the Year Award for the Faculty of Social Sciences. This recognition comes after 12 years of devoted service at ABU, where Dr. Shehu has not only pursued top-level qualifications but also taken on additional administrative duties while working tirelessly on impactful writing and publications.
In an exclusive interview with ABU Campus Press, Dr. Shehu highlighted the personal sacrifices, long nights, and lost relationships that paved the road to his exceptional career accomplishments thus far.
“You need time to do other things, but then you try to repel those things. And that sometimes even affects your own relationship wirh others,” he admitted. “I can tell you that I lost a number of good friends of my coursework."
However, Dr. Shehu has been pursuing academic writing and research since his youth, beginning in a creative writing club in his IJMB and polytechnic days. This lifelong dedication gave him an edge, he says, as writing has become almost ritualistic for him.
"Because when you don't have the habit of writing, sometimes it becomes difficult to be able to do it as a lecturer," Dr. Shehu explained. "And maybe that is why I can say that is an edge I have over others."
While acknowledging that other academics possess strengths as well, Dr. Shehu attributes his latest honor partly to staying focused on research and writing while others get distracted by other pursuits. His advice to students is to avoid activities that divert their attention from academics and instead associate with motivated peers.
Dr. Shehu completed all his degrees, from BSc to PhD, at respected universities in northern Nigeria. His goal has always been to contribute work that benefits society and helps mitigate societal troubles. This Researcher of the Year Award, in his view, will motivate staff to strengthen their scholarship and gain proper recognition from the university.
There is no doubt Dr. Shehu exemplifies the spirit of sacrifice and service that leads to groundbreaking research advancements. His story will inspire budding academics in ABU and beyond to persevere on their own winding roads toward impact.
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