Nigeria, June 12 -- "Congratulations! I hope you will lead a purposeful life to inspire others." - Jibril.

The above quote was a reply to the message I sent to Professor Jibril Aminu, notifying him of the completion of my Master's degree at the University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, where I graduated once again with distinction. Today, that father figure, a role model - like others before him, a la Professor Gidado Tahir - is no more. Innaa lilLaahi wa innaa ilaihi raaji'uun.

Indeed, Nigeria has once again lost one of its most brilliant minds and impactful, accomplished public servants in its history as a nation. The loss of Aminu is beyond the loss of a single soul, itself a great tragedy. It signifies the sad end of an era of true intell...