Prof. Umaru Pate: A Scholar With A Kind Heart -By Ibrahim Aliyu Gurin

In a time when many people focus more on titles than real impact, Prof. Umaru A. Pate stands out—not just because of his academic achievements, but because of the quiet and consistent kindness that has become part of his story. As the Vice Chancellor of Federal University Kashere and the President of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN), Prof. Pate shows a rare mix of intelligence, humility, and true dedication to helping others.

Some people are known for their knowledge. Others, for their kindness. But when you meet someone who has both, like Prof. Umaru Pate, you never forget them.

It happened one afternoon at Bayero University, Kano. I was walking and talking on the phone near one of the lecture halls. Just as I ended the call, I noticed Prof. Umaru Pate coming out of a class he had just finished with his master’s students. He didn’t know me personally, but I knew exactly who he was—a highly respected professor and one of the finest scholars in Mass Communication in Nigeria.

To my surprise, he stopped, smiled, and asked me about something I had said during the call. His voice was calm, respectful, and warm. We ended up having a short conversation—just like two friends. He didn’t speak to me like a vice chancellor or a senior academic. He spoke like someone who truly cares about people.

That moment touched me deeply. It made me realise that greatness is not only about what someone knows, but also how they treat others.

I had another beautiful experience one Friday afternoon. While most students were chatting outside, I saw Prof. Pate leaning on his car. I greeted him, and again, he responded kindly. Then he asked me about my final year project. There were a few other students around, and before we knew it, he started explaining our topics to us in a way that made everything easier to understand. He gave us useful advice—not only about our research, but also about life.

After he finished speaking, I smiled and said, “Prof, if someone lives with you for four years, they should be given a degree in Social Science, because of how much they’ll learn without even entering a classroom.” Everyone laughed, but we all knew it was true.

His kindness doesn’t stop on campus. During my industrial training in Yola, I worked at a radio station. One day, the Managing Director asked where I was studying. When I told him I was from BUK, he immediately asked, “Do you know Prof. Umaru Pate?” I said yes. His face lit up. He started telling me stories about Prof. Pate’s helpful nature, how he had supported people in many ways, and how he was always ready to assist media practitioners without expecting anything in return.

That is the kind of man Prof. Pate is. His name is known not just in classrooms, but across radio stations, media houses, universities, and communities in Nigeria. He is a role model, not just for his academic work, but for his good heart.

In a world where many people in power act too big to talk to ordinary students, Prof. Umaru Pate is different. He listens. He advises. He respects everyone—whether you are a professor or a student, a journalist or a cleaner.

His greatness is not only in his books or lectures. It is in the way he makes people feel. It is in the way he shares his time, knowledge, and kindness with those around him.

I am proud to say I have spoken with him. I am happy to have learned from him. And I believe Nigeria is lucky to have someone like him—an academic who teaches with wisdom, but leads with humility.

Ibrahim Aliyu Gurin is a Mass Communication graduate from Bayero University, Kano.