By Prince Osuagwu

The immediate past Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Aliyu Aziz, has paid glowing tributes to a former Minister of Defence, Prof. Iya Abubakar, for being the first to purchase the first largest computer in Africa, just to give Nigeria that Big Brother stature in the continent.

Aziz chose the opportunity of the man’s 90 years birthday which comes up Friday, to make the revelation.

In a statement he entitled “Celebrating a Visionary at 90,” Aziz said that it was with immense pride and gratitude that he celebrates Abubakar, who he described as an exceptional leader and trailblazer.

According to him, at 90, Abubakar’s legacy stands tall as a symbol of intellectual brilliance, visionary leadership, and boundless dedication to the advancement of education, technology, and nation-building.

He said: “I am particularly privileged to be one of the greatest beneficiaries of the Iya Abubakar Computer Center – an incredible institution that was far ahead of its time. It is astonishing to recall how he procured what was then the largest computer in Africa, a CDC Cyber 72 series with a remarkable 64 kilobytes of memory.

“This technological marvel was accompanied by a line printer capable of printing 1,200 lines per minute, a digital plotter, and a suite of high-level programming languages such as FORTRAN, COBOL, PASCAL, BASIC, and APL, among others.

“His foresight and determination revolutionized computational capacity in the region and inspired countless minds, including mine.”

He also added that “Senator Prof. Iya Abubakar’s contributions extend far beyond technology. As a scholar, statesman, and leader, his influence has shaped policies and institutions that continue to benefit generations. His dedication to education, research, and national development serves as a beacon for all of us striving to make a difference in our various fields.”

“On this momentous occasion of his 90th birthday, I salute his monumental achievements and enduring legacy. May he continue to inspire us all with his wisdom, humility, and unwavering commitment to excellence”  .

Born on December 13, 1934 in Belel in the Maiha Local Government Area (LGA) of Adamawa State, Nigeria, Abubakar was Minister of Defence between 24 October 1979 and January 1981.

He also had served as Minister of Internal Affairs between 1981and 1982.