When will Bauchi State Honour Coach Usman Yusuf?

All over our cities, streets are named after supposedly deserving citizens. I believe this is in keeping with some lines in our National Anthem; that the labour of our heroes past shall not be in vain.

However, some of these names are less than honourable. But we still adore them anyway. While that is on - going, we play politics with those whose credentials are so deserving of immortalization.

Shamefully, we are still playing politics with the case of our legend and hero, Coach Usman Yusuf.

Bauchi State government and Nigeria has not been fair to this man. The history of Bauchi State and Nigeria wrestling cannot be complete without his mention as he is linked with most of the memorable moments of our wrestling, since 1987.

Coach Usman Yusuf started to represent the good people of Bauchi State and Nigeria in 1987 at the 1st Triangular Wrestling competition were he won his 1st Gold Medal in the 48kg freestyle category. He also participated in zone 4 Wrestling competition were he won a Gold Medal in 48kg freestyle in the year 1990. In 1996, he won another Gold Medal in 52kg, in General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Unity Cup. He also participated in National Sports Festival in Imo 1998, were he won a Bronze Medal.

Coach Usman Yusuf started his International Wrestling Referee career in the year 1991 were he attended the 1st International Wrestling Referees course in Kano State, Nigeria. Among the 47 National Referees attended the course, Coach Yusuf was the first to received his International License and Certificate in Nigeria, others until after 6 months the Federation of International Wrestling Association (FILA) sent their Certificate and License.

Also among the 15 International Referees that Nigeria has, the United World Referees Council (UWRC) in 2010 retired 14 out of 15 International Referees due to lack of participating in International competitions and Age matters and left on Coach Usman Yusuf as the only International Wrestling Referee that Nigeria have as of today.

Coach Usman Yusuf started his first International Officiating at All African Games in Algeria 2007, where he was awarded the best referee of the tournament. Some of the countries Coach Usman Yusuf traveled to and officiated during his officiating career includes : Algeria 5 times, Egypt 14 times, Sweden 1 time, Ukrain 1 time, Glasgow Scotland 1 time, Manchester City 1 time, Bamiham 1 time, Congo Brazevelle 1 time, Senegal 2 times, Turkey 3 times, Morocco 6 times, India 3 times, Tunisia 6 times, Tchad 1 time, Cameroon 1 time, Niger 1 time, Finland 1 time, South Africa 3 times, Australia 1 time and Nigeria 1 time.

Coach Usman Yusuf received 4 times Best Referee award in Africa; Algeria 2007 All African Games, Egypt 2010 African Olympic qualifiers, Dakar Senegal 2011 All African Wrestling Champion and Nigeria All African Wrestling Championship 2018.

Also, he received the award of Best Referee of the Common Wealth Championship in Johannesburg, South Africa 2013. He also received 2 times Best Referee of the Common Wealth Games Glasgow Scotland 2014.

He was the Best Referee at Goal Cost Australia 2018, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Agwai Best Referee of the Armed Forces Games Owerri 2005 and 5 times Nigeria Best National Referee.

Usman Yusuf was awarded letter of recommendations by previous governors of Bauchi State, His Excellency, Governor Isa Yuguda 2014 and His Excellency, MA. Abubakar in 2015.

Coach Usman Yusuf is the President Coaching Association and Training in Nigeria ; 1991 - Date, Chief Coach Wrestling ; 2014 - Date, President Nigeria Wrestling Referees ; 1998 - Date, President West African International Wrestling Referees ; 2018 - Date, Member, United World International Wrestling Referees ; 1991 - Date and former Technical Adviser, Nigeria Army Wrestling Team; 1998 - 2020.

Coach Usman Yusuf is the only International Wrestling Referee in Bauchi State and Nigeria that represented African Continent in 3 consecutive Common Wealth Games; Delhi 2010, Glasgow 2014 and Australia 2018.

Within the three years able leadership of His Excellency Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, CON, (Kauran Bauchi) Coach Usman Yusuf represented Nigeria in seven (7) International Wrestling Competition around the world.

Born on the 1st April, 1970 in Bauchi LGA, Bauchi State. Usman Yusuf attended Kobi Primary School from 1977-1983 where he proceeded to GSS Ningi, Bauchi State from 1983-1987 after which he completed his Secondary Education.

He proceeded to CABS Azare from 1992-1993 where he obtained Certificate in Clerical Officer Account & Audit. He also went to Federal Polytechnic Bauchi in 2000-2002 where he obtained Diploma in Business Administration and Management he also went to Bauchi State University Gadau from 2014-2018 where he graduated with BSc in Sociology.

Coach Usman Yusuf is currently working with the Bauchi State Sports Council as Chief Coach of Wrestling. Married with six children. Coach Usman Yusuf in total represented Bauchi State and Nigeria in 56 International Wrestling Officiating Competition besides that, he excelled, he also engraved Bauchi State and Nigeria in the gold during the period. therefore, that a man of this quintessential and impeccable character is left till date without honour by the state and federal government whereas those who have done less or nothing were honored with streets and monuments named after them, this shows how moral decadent our state and country and her leaders are.

It is high time this ebullient wrestler/coach, Usman Yusuf is remember for a befitting honour as a tonic to our future generation that good work and moral rectitudes pay.

What honour can be enough for such a man?

Citizen John Akevi Scripted from Bauchi State, Nigeria. 08188188081