The Arewa Youths for Peace and Security have called for the immortalisation of the late Chief Registrar of the FCT Sharia Court of Appeal, Alhaji A.S. Musa, who died in Saudi Arabia in 1993 after a brief illness.
The group made the call during a remembrance press conference held in Abuja, where it described the late civil servant as a symbol of integrity, unity and selfless service.
Speaking at the event, the Secretary-General of the group, Salihu Dantata Mahmud, said Musa served the country meritoriously in several capacities, including as Presidential Liaison Officer for the Federal Capital Territory under the Shehu Shagari administration, pioneer Secretary of the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Board, and Chief Registrar of the FCT Sharia Court of Appeal.
He noted that Musa’s leadership was marked by inclusivity and fairness, stressing that he did not discriminate along ethnic or religious lines.
Mahmud said, “In his lifetime, he never discriminated against any tribe or religion. His confidential secretary, Mr Lambert, was an Igbo Christian, alongside other staff from diverse backgrounds. That tells you the kind of man he was.”
According to him, Musa began his civil service career in the then Kaduna State Ministry of Health, where he distinguished himself through dedication and commitment to public service.
The group lamented that decades after his death, Musa’s contributions to national development had largely gone unrecognised.
“It is disturbing that years after his death, no group or individual is speaking about his immense contributions to nation-building. If we truly want to fight corruption, we must begin to celebrate leaders of proven integrity, whether dead or alive,” Mahmud added.
The group also drew attention to the deteriorating conditions in Kaiama, Kwara State, the hometown of the late administrator, citing poor road infrastructure and rising insecurity.
Mahmud alleged that a nearby village, Nukku, was recently attacked, resulting in the death of five residents.
He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to honour Musa’s legacy by naming a street after him in Abuja.
“Musa enthroned unity even within the Sharia Court system by employing people from different tribes and religions. Such personalities are rare. The Federal Government should immortalise him to inspire future generations,” he said.
Musa is survived by his children, including Jaafaru A.S. Musa, a former staff member of the FCT Customary Court of Appeal, Attahiru A.S. Musa of the Nigeria Customs Service, Hajia Fure A.S. Musa, Mustapha A.S. Musa and Jemila A.S. Musa.
