30th June, 2015
The Vice Chancellor, University of Jos, Prof. Hayward Mafuyai, said the university would immortalise the late internationally acclaimed Hausa Musician, Alhaji Adamu Wayya, popularly known as Dan Maraya Jos.
It would be recalled that the late music icon died recently at the age of 84.
Mafuyai, who led principal officers of the institution on a condolence visit to the family at the deceased’s residence at Bauchi Road , Jos , said the institution would honour his memory.
While paying glowing tribute to the late Dan Maraya for his unique musical style and social commentary, the vice chancellor described him as a moral crusader whose fame transcended the boundaries of Nigeria.
He said the university held the late musician in high esteem which was why it conferred on him the honourary Degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
“Due to his immense musical talent and traditional literary prowess the university decided to confer on him the honourary Degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
“The late Dan Maraya proved to be a great Ambassador of University of Jos, Plateau, Nigeria and Africa as a whole and was celebrated in almost every continent of the world,” he said.
Mafuyai said the deceased was considered as a global citizen who brought immense goodwill to the university and Nigeria.
He prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased and comfort for the bereaved family.
Alhaji Kuchili Yusuf, on behalf of the family, said the late Dan Maraya was a loving husband and father who embraced all regardless of differences in ethnicity, race or creed.
Yusuf described the deceased as humble and unassuming person who did not allow fame to change his philosophy of life.
He thanked the University of Jos community for their show of solidarity and prayed for the relationship long established between the Dan Maraya family and the university, to continue.
Among the delegation was Prof. Shamsudeen Amali, former Vice Chancellor of University of Ilorin and Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
Amali was a long-time associate of the late Dan Maraya and was the person who nominated him for the conferment of the honourary doctorate degree by the University of Jos.