Veteran journalist Bilikisu dies in hajj stampede

Bilikisu

Veteran journalist Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf has been confirmed dead among Nigerians who died in Thursday’s deadly stampede at the Jamarat Bridge outside Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Over 700 pilgrims were confirmed dead, while another 863 were injured in the incident which occurred as the pilgrims were taking part in the Hajj’s last major rite.
It is the deadliest incident to occur during the Hajj in 25 years. About two million people are performing Hajj this year including 70,000 Nigerians.
One of Nigeria’s respected Islamic intellectuals, Prof. Tijani El-Miskin, is also among the Nigerian casualties.
El-Miskin was a professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies. He was among the 11 candidates who last year vied for appointment as University of Maiduguri Vice Chancellor.
He was Chairman of Borno State Pilgrims Welfare Board.
Professor of Political Science at Babcock University,Ilisan, Ogun State, Jibrin Ibrahim in a facebook tribute to Bilikisu said ” Very sad to receive news of the death of Bilkisu Yusuf today. Great humanist, advocate, journalist, networker and above all devoted to God”