Ncws Mourns Passing Of Professor Emeritus Mohammed Yerima Balla

NCWS MOURNS PASSING OF PROFESSOR EMERITUS MOHAMMED YERIMA BALLA

The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Nigeria, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Professor Emeritus Mohammed Yerima Balla of the Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Maiduguri.

In a condolence message signed by the National President of NCWS, Princess Edna D. D. Azura (Kwatam Mutaku), she described the death of the renowned academic as a profound loss to the Hoba (Kilba) people, Adamawa State and Nigeria as a whole.

Princess Azura, on behalf of the National Executive Council, State Chapters and the entire membership of NCWS, extended heartfelt condolences to the deceased's wife, children and the entire Yerima Balla family of Pella, Hong Local Government Area, as well as the Hoba (Kilba) nation, the Government and people of Adamawa State and the University of Maiduguri community.

She described Professor Balla as a scholar of rare distinction whose contributions to mathematics and statistics, particularly in functional analysis and fixed point theory, earned him international recognition.

According to her, his academic and administrative contributions at the University of Maiduguri, including his service as Head of Department and Dean of the Faculty of Science, helped shape generations of Nigerian scholars.

She noted that his elevation to the rank of Professor Emeritus represented a fitting recognition of a distinguished academic career and the impact he had made on his students, colleagues and wider community.

Beyond his academic achievements, the NCWS President said Professor Balla would be remembered most for his humanity, generosity and commitment to fairness.

"Professor Balla was no ordinary man. He was a scholar of rare distinction — a mathematician and statistician whose work in functional analysis and fixed point theory earned him international recognition," she said.

She further recalled his open-door disposition and his willingness to support people irrespective of their tribe, religion or place of origin, describing him as a man who stood firmly for merit and opposed victimisation.

Princess Azura also acknowledged the many lives Professor Balla positively influenced, particularly young people who benefited from his mentorship, guidance and care.

She said his legacy transcended academic titles, as the seeds he planted in the lives of many would continue to bear fruit for generations.

Quoting his familiar words, "Huba da bulkuwa and Ngra," the NCWS President said the message would continue to resonate as both a cherished memory and a charge to those he left behind.

While mourning the deceased, Princess Azura called on the family and community to take solace in the meaningful life he lived and the enduring legacy he left behind.

She prayed for Almighty God to comfort the bereaved family and grant them the strength to bear the loss.

She concluded with the prayer: "Allah ya jikan sa da rahma, ya sa Aljannar Firdausi ta zama makomarsa. Amin."