NOUN VC Uduma Mourns Bursar Nasiru Marafa

The Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma, has mourned the sudden and tragic death of the university’s Bursar, Mal. Nasiru Marafa.

Uduma described Marafa’s death as a profound loss to the university, saying the Governing Council, management, staff and students were “deeply shocked and devastated” by the development.

TVC News Online reports that Marafa died on Sunday after being shot in Gusau.

In a statement on Sunday, the Vice-Chancellor said Marafa was “much more than the university’s Bursar,” describing him as “a dedicated public servant, a consummate professional and, above all, a decent and honourable human being.”

According to him, Marafa served NOUN with “quiet dignity, diligence and an abiding commitment to the principles of due process, fairness, accountability and integrity.”

He said the late Bursar’s professional journey within the university was remarkable, noting that he rose from a young member of the Bursary Department to become the Bursar of one of Africa’s largest universities.

“His ascent was a testimony to his commitment to service and the confidence that successive administrations and colleagues placed in him,” Uduma said.

Read Also:NOUN Announces Death of Bursar Shot in Gusau

The Vice-Chancellor also described Marafa as a “gentle and unassuming man” who carried out his responsibilities without ostentation and treated colleagues with “courtesy, humility and respect.”

He said the late Bursar was dependable, thoughtful and always willing to listen and assist, adding that his “quiet presence was a source of reassurance” to those who worked closely with him.

Uduma said the loss was particularly painful for him personally, describing Marafa as not only a principal officer with whom he worked closely but also “a trusted colleague, friend and dependable confidant.”

“There are individuals whose value to an institution extends beyond the formal responsibilities attached to their offices. Nasiru was one of those individuals,” he said.

He added that Marafa’s “counsel, loyalty, calm disposition and commitment to the good of the university will be deeply missed.”

The Vice-Chancellor extended condolences to the late Bursar’s family, loved ones, colleagues and community, saying the university stood with them during this period of grief.

“On behalf of the Governing Council, Management and the entire NOUN family, I extend our deepest condolences to the family of Mal. Nasiru Marafa,” Uduma said.

“We stand with them in this hour of profound sorrow and assure them that the university will remember and honour his years of dedicated service to our institution.”

Uduma also urged members of the NOUN community to remain united and supportive of one another while mourning the loss, saying the strength of a university is reflected not only in its academic and administrative achievements but also in its ability to stand together in “compassion and solidarity.”

“Mal. Nasiru Marafa served his university faithfully. He left an enduring imprint on the institution he served and on the people whose lives he touched,” the Vice-Chancellor said.

He prayed for Allah’s mercy upon the deceased, asking that his shortcomings be forgiven, his good deeds accepted and his years of service rewarded.

“May Allah, in His infinite mercy, forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds, reward his years of service and grant him Al-Jannatul Firdaus,” he said.

“May Allah grant his family, colleagues, friends and the entire NOUN community the strength, comfort and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”