Bilkisu Yusuf
{{Short description|Nigerian journalist}}
{{for|the Nigerian Olympic judoka|Bilkisu Yusuf (judoka)}}
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix = Hajiya
| name = Bilkisu Yusuf
| honorific_suffix =
| native_name =
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| image = Bilkisu-Yusef.jpg
| image_size =
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| birth_name =
| birth_date = 2 December 1952
| birth_place =
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2015|09|24|1952|12|02|df=y}}
| death_place = Mina, Saudi Arabia
| death_cause = Crowd crush
| body_discovered =
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| nationality = Nigerian
| other_names =
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| education = Ahmadu Bello University (Bachelors);
University of Wisconsin-Madison (Masters);
Moscow State Institute of Journalism and International Relations
| alma_mater = Ansar Primary School, Kano (1964)
Government Girls College, Dala, Kano
| occupation = Journalist, columnist and editor
| years_active =
| employer = Daily Trust and Leadership newspapers
| organization = Women In Nigeria;
Federation of Muslim Women's Associations in Nigeria,
Advocacy Nigeria
| agent =
| known_for = Journalism and women's rights activist
| spouse = Alhaji Sanusi Ciroma Yusuf (first husband)
Mustapha Bintube (second husband)
| partner =
| children = Moshood Sanusi Yusuf (son) & Nana Fatima (daughter)
| parents =
| relatives =
}}
Bilkisu Yusuf (2 December 1952 – 24 September 2015) was a Nigerian journalist, columnist and editor for prominent newspapers in Abuja, Kano and Kaduna, Nigeria. She is known in Nigeria for being the first woman to direct a national newspaper operation and served as editor for two more. She was a Hausa, Muslim, feminist, of Yoruba descent and advocate for interfaith society, who was known for being an adviser to the Nigerian President on International Affairs and the founding of NGOs, such as Women In Nigeria (WIN) and the Federation of Muslim Women's Association (FOMWAN). Yusuf was killed in the 2015 Mina stampede while on Haj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.{{cite web|url=http://www.pri.org/stories/2015-09-29/lost-hajj-stampede-was-pioneering-journalist-who-united-christians-and-muslims|title=Lost in the Hajj stampede was a pioneering journalist who united Christians and Muslims|work=Public Radio International |date=September 29, 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://dailyindependentnig.com/2015/09/female-editor-bilikisu-el-miskeen-4-others-die-in-hajj-stampede/ |first1=Chesa |last1=Chesa |first2=Juliet |last2=Oyoyo |first3=Gbenga |last3=Faturoti |title=Female Editor, Bilikisu; El-Miskeen, 4 Others Die In Hajj Stampede |website=Dailyindependentnig.com |access-date=2015-10-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930023056/http://dailyindependentnig.com/2015/09/female-editor-bilikisu-el-miskeen-4-others-die-in-hajj-stampede/ |archive-date=2015-09-30 |url-status=usurped }}
Personal
File:Ahmadu bello university senate.jpgBilkisu Yusuf was born 2 December 1952.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/bilkisu-died-on-national-assignment-husband/112511.html|title=Bilkisu died on national assignment – Husband|website=Dailytrust.com.ng|access-date=2015-11-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208180533/http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/bilkisu-died-on-national-assignment-husband/112511.html|archive-date=2015-12-08|url-status=dead}} She advanced from her primary education at Ansar Primary School, Kano in 1964 to secondary school at the Government Girls College, Dala, Kano.{{cite web|url=http://thenationonlineng.net/hajiya-bilkisu-she-was-too-good-and-true/|title=Hajiya Bilkisu: She was too good and true|work=The Nation Nigeria|date=30 September 2015 }}
Yusuf's higher education was in both political science and journalism. She earned her bachelor's degree in political science at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Nigeria; her master's degree in political science and international relations from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in Madison, Wisconsin, United States; and an advanced degree in journalism from the International Journalism School at Moscow State Institute of International Relations in Moscow, Russia, in 1986.{{cite web|url=http://www.wisemuslimwomen.org/muslimwomen/bio/hajiya_bilkisu/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406061541/http://www.wisemuslimwomen.org/muslimwomen/bio/hajiya_bilkisu|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-04-06|title=Bilkisu Yusuf|work=wisemuslimwomen.org}}
She was first married to Alhaji Sanusi Ciroma Yusuf, who eventually became the Chief Judge of State.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/opinion/obituary-hajiya-bilkisu-mni-1952-2015/114026.html|title=Obituary: Hajiya Bilkisu, mni (1952-2015)|website=Dailytrust.com.ng|access-date=2015-11-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015232101/http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/opinion/obituary-hajiya-bilkisu-mni-1952-2015/114026.html|archive-date=2015-10-15|url-status=dead}} The couple had two children, a son, Moshood Sanusi Yusuf and a daughter, Nana Fatima. They later divorced. Her first husband died at the age of 73.{{cite web|url=https://libertyradiokaduna.wordpress.com/2012/04/16/kano-emirate-kingmaker-madaki-passes-on-at-73/|title=Kano Emirate Kingmaker, Madaki Passes On At 73.|work=Liberty Radio 91.7fm Kaduna|date=16 April 2012 }} She married her second husband, Mustapha Bintube.
Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf was given the honorary title Hajiya after completing the pilgrimage to Mecca (Haji is the male form). She died while serving as a leader of women on behalf of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.
Career
Bilkisu Yusuf was a journalist for the Daily Trust {{when|date=November 2015}} and Leadership {{when|date=November 2015}} newspapers in Abuja, Nigeria.{{cite web|url=http://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/people/hajiya-bilkisu-yusuf|title=Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf|website=Georgetown.edu}} After her return from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she became the first female editor at the Sunday Triumph, Kano, from 1983–1987.{{cite web|url=http://www.freemedia.at/newssview/article/ipi-mourns-former-board-member-hajiya-bilkisu-yusuf.html|title=International Press Institute: IPI mourns former board member Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf|author=|website=Freemedia.at|date=September 28, 2015|access-date=2015-10-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151008115100/http://www.freemedia.at/newssview/article/ipi-mourns-former-board-member-hajiya-bilkisu-yusuf.html|archive-date=2015-10-08|url-status=dead}} She also held the title of editor at the New Nigerian, Kaduna, in 1987 and Citizen Magazine, Kaduna, in 1990. She was known for her column "Civil Society Watch".{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/columns/late-bilkisu-yusuf-mni-a-tribute/112568.html|title=Late Bilkisu Yusuf|website=Dailytrust.com.ng|access-date=2015-10-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015041212/http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/columns/late-bilkisu-yusuf-mni-a-tribute/112568.html|archive-date=2015-10-15|url-status=dead}} She was active in The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), {{Cite web |title=About NAWOJ – Nigeria Union of Journalists |url=https://nuj.ng/about-us/about-nawoj/ |access-date=2025-01-20 |language=en-US}}which mentored young female journalists in Nigeria.{{cite web|url=http://www.thetrentonline.com/nawoj-mourns-bilkisu-yusuf-who-died-in-tragic-mecca-stampede/|title=NAWOJ Mourns Bilkisu Yusuf Who Died In Tragic Mecca Stampede|author=|work=The Trent |date= September 27, 2015}}
Yusuf was the adviser to the Nigerian President on International Affairs. She was also a notable women's right's activist.{{cite web|url=http://www.pri.org/stories/2015-09-29/lost-hajj-stampede-was-pioneering-journalist-who-united-christians-and-muslims|title=Lost in the Hajj stampede was a pioneering journalist who united Christians and Muslims|work=Public Radio International|date=29 September 2015 }} She founded several NGOs, such as Women In Nigeria (WIN), which was one of the earliest feminist organizations in Nigeria,{{cite web|url=http://uncova.com/my-tribute-to-bilkisu-yusuf|title=My tribute to Bilkisu Yusuf|website=Uncova.com|access-date=2015-10-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170424003655/http://uncova.com/my-tribute-to-bilkisu-yusuf|archive-date=2017-04-24|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://newsdiaryonline.com/bilkisu-yusuf-legacies-of-a-history-of-winningby-jibrin-ibrahim/|title=Investigations of mega looting must continue, but must be lawful|author=Jibrin Ibrahim|date=20 July 2015|website=Newsdiaryonline.com|access-date=4 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926111536/http://newsdiaryonline.com/bilkisu-yusuf-legacies-of-a-history-of-winningby-jibrin-ibrahim/|archive-date=26 September 2015|url-status=dead}} Federation of Muslim Women's Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN),{{cite web|url=http://dailypost.ng/2015/09/26/mecca-stampede-fomwan-mourns-norths-first-female-editor-bilkisu-yusuf/|title=Mecca stampede: FOMWAN mourns North's first female editor, Bilkisu Yusuf – DailyPost Nigeria|work=DailyPost Nigeria |date=September 26, 2015}} the Nigerian Interfaith Action Association Against Malaria (NIFAAM), and Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON), She was executive director of Advocacy Nigeria. She was also active in the Bring Back Our Girls, which was aimed at the safe return of the Chibok girls.
Death
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}}A stampede occurred at an intersection in Mina, Saudi Arabia on 24 September 2015, at about 9 a.m. The crowds were on their way from Muzdalifah to Jaramat, where pilgrims cast stones at pillars to symbolize the stoning of the devil during the Hajj.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/09/24/world/middleeast/mecca-mina-stampede-hajj-maps.html?_r=0|title=How the Hajj Stampede Unfolded|newspaper=The New York Times|date=September 25, 2015}} From there they would head to the Grand Mosque in Mecca. Over 2,000 pilgrims were trampled to death during the stampede and almost 200 of those were identified as Nigerian citizens.{{cite news|title=Death toll in Saudi haj disaster at least 2,070: Reuters tally|first=Raissa|last=Kasolowsky|newspaper=Reuters|date=October 29, 2015|access-date=November 26, 2015|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-haj-idUSKCN0SN2F020151029|archive-date=November 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117033446/http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/29/us-saudi-haj-idUSKCN0SN2F020151029|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/saudi-arabia-hajj-disaster-death-toll-at-least-2177/2015/10/19/8dce4826-76dc-11e5-a5e2-40d6b2ad18dd_story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151021121440/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/saudi-arabia-hajj-disaster-death-toll-at-least-2177/2015/10/19/8dce4826-76dc-11e5-a5e2-40d6b2ad18dd_story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 October 2015|title=Saudi Arabia hajj disaster death toll at least 2,177|author=Jon Gambrell - AP|date=19 October 2015|newspaper=Washington Post}} Bilkisu Yusuf was identified among those killed by the stampede.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/saudi-tragedy-hajj-commission-identifies-30-dead-nigerians/221209/|title=Saudi Tragedy: Hajj Commission Identifies 30 Dead Nigerians|website=Thisdaylive.com|date=September 26, 2015|access-date=October 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016161748/http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/saudi-tragedy-hajj-commission-identifies-30-dead-nigerians/221209/|archive-date=October 16, 2015|url-status=dead}} Other prominent Nigerians who were trampled to death in the stampede include Professor Tijjani El-Miskin.{{cite web|url=http://datelinenews.com.ng/buhari-laments-death-of-bilkisu-yusufother-pilgrims/|title=Buhari laments death of Bilkisu Yusuf,other pilgrims|work=Dateline News – Nigeria Online News – Nigeria Breaking News|access-date=2015-10-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304090333/http://datelinenews.com.ng/buhari-laments-death-of-bilkisu-yusufother-pilgrims/|archive-date=2016-03-04|url-status=dead}}
Context
File:The way to Jamarat Bridge 3.JPGSaudi Arabia is a Middle Eastern country with a population of 27,752,316.{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/saudi-arabia/|title=The World Factbook|website=Cia.gov|date=19 September 2022 }} It is home to the two most sacred mosques in the religion of Islam. One of those is Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, which is the destination of the Hajj pilgrimage, and the other is Medina's Masjid an-Nabawi, burial site of Muhammad. The pilgrimage to Mecca is the fifth pillar of Islam and according to its belief should be conducted at least once in every Muslim's life.{{cite web|url=http://www.meccapilgrimage.com/|title=Mecca Pilgrimage|website=Meccapilgrimage.com|access-date=2015-11-04|archive-date=2020-08-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808123935/http://www.meccapilgrimage.com/|url-status=dead}} This pilgrimage is done by thousands of people each year from all across the world.
Nigeria is a country in West Africa. Their society has strong patriarchal ties, which leads to much discrimination against women. They also have a problem with extreme poverty and drugs. Boko Haram in 2014 abducted 219 Chibok school girls, which brought worldwide attention to efforts to rescue the girls. However, about 100 were found in April–May 2017.{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/3833024/chibok-boko-haram/|title=Chibok: Inside the Search for the School Girls Abducted by Boko Haram|magazine=Time|date=23 April 2015 }}
Reactions
The office of Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari released the following statement following the stampede: "President Buhari commiserates with the Nigerian Guild of Editors and the Nigerian Union of Journalists on the sad loss of Hajiya Bilkisu, an exemplary, dedicated, knowledgeable, very credible, highly-respected, outstanding editor and columnist who, even in death, will remain a glittering role model for journalists, within and outside Nigeria."
Jibrin Ibrahim, director of the Centre for Democracy and Development described Yusuf as "great humanist, advocate, journalist, networker and above all a devoted Muslim, who died in the course of serving God."{{cite web|url=http://realnewsmagazine.net/passage/exit-of-journalism-icon-bilkisu-yusuf/|title=Exit of Journalism Icon, Bilkisu Yusuf|author=|work=Realnews Magazine|date=25 September 2015 }}
Dr Oby Ezekwesili, director of Bring Back Our Girls and a former minister of Education in Nigeria, said, "Bilkisu fought all her life for child education. She has been consistent on her advocacy. She never wearied until it was time to go. We celebrate the great strides of our sister. We were delighted to have her as part of our extended family."{{Cite web |url=http://leadership.ng/chibokgirls/464035/bbog-group-mourns-hajiya-bilkisu-yusuf |title=BBOG Group Mourns Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf | Nigerian News from Leadership News |access-date=2015-11-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151103013014/http://www.leadership.ng/chibokgirls/464035/bbog-group-mourns-hajiya-bilkisu-yusuf |archive-date=2015-11-03 |url-status=dead }}
Aliyu Muktar, a former editor at Triumph newspaper who worked with Yusuf, said, "She was for me a role model; an excellent career woman, very thorough and unassuming. You know, she was brave, sincere and always fighting for the downtrodden. You also know her antecedent; Hajia was somebody who would not tolerate injustice anywhere."{{cite web|url=http://realnewsmagazine.net/passage/exit-of-journalism-icon-bilkisu-yusuf/|title=Exit of Journalism Icon, Bilkisu Yusuf|author=|work=Realnews Magazine |date=October 5, 2015}}
Appearances in culture
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
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Category:Ahmadu Bello University alumni
Category:Moscow State Institute of International Relations alumni
Category:University of Wisconsin–Madison College of Letters and Science alumni
Category:Accidental deaths in Saudi Arabia
Category:African newspaper editors
Category:Proponents of Islamic feminism
Category:Nigerian newspaper journalists
Category:Nigerian women activists
Category:Women newspaper editors