TRIBUTE: HON. BARR. MUSA SHEKARAU

The late Honourable Barrister Musa Shekarau came into this world on the 15^th April, 1949, to the great family of late Mallam Shekarau Uchissa and Mallama Talatu Uchissa at Garun Kurama, Lere local government in Kaduna state. Having parents that were disciplinarians and generational farmers, he got the training any upcoming child would desire and cherish. His parent’s desire for their Son to become relevant necessitated his enrolment into E.C.W.A primary school Gure under the present day Piriga chiefdom from 1962 to 1969. Afterwards, his desire to serve his beloved country inspired him immediately to join the rank and file of the Nigeria Police Force, and of which he dedicated eleven years of committed service to the force from 1969 to 1980.

Throughout his years in the force, he always nurtured the ambition of furthering his education and becoming a lawyer, so that his rights and that of others would not be trampled upon. As a person whose determination was his second nature, he went back to his books while still in the force and sat for external GCE O’Level through the Rapid Result College, London. His cherished dream of becoming a lawyer started manifesting, when in 1981, he was offered provisional admission into the university of Maiduguri, where he successfully obtained his (L.L.B) in law before heading to Law School in Lagos. After concluding, he went straight into practice due to his exemption from the national Youth Service Corp because of his Para-military background.

He later on established his own chambers (Shekarau and Co. Solicitors) first in Lagos and later on in Saminaka in Kaduna state; as one who was known for his critical mind, he excelled in the law profession. His foray into politics was eventful and adventurous. He first came to the attention of many when he contested and won the councillorship seat in his ward, in 1986. Afterwards he held a number of public offices such as in 1994 when he held the position of Vice Chairman in Lere local government, and the Protem National Legal Adviser to the defunct National Republican Convention (N.R.C) which was one of the two political parties established by the government of General Ibrahim Babangida. He came to political limelight when in 1999; he contested for the post of member Kaduna state House of Assembly and won. He consequently became the Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary. His exploits in public service speaks volume of his desire to enhance democracy and good governance, and of which contemporary politicians should queue after.