Jeff Godwin Doki Ph.D writes a tribute....

Where does one begin the tale? Where does one end it? How does one begin to write about a life yanked off in its full prime? How does one count the sand of achievement in the sea of a crowded career? How does one categorize the elements of a person who confronts history with such authoritative profundity? Where does the teller put a pause in the tale? Some lives are so rounded, so thronged that they confront the enthusiastic writer with a nightmare.True is the saying that death is a great enigma. It is always everywhere and even where it should’nt be. Always far from where it should be. Ubiquitous like oxygen, death sneaks through the seediest shadows, it struts into the market place on the brightest of noon. It dispatches the pauper and the prince with equal ferocity. 

Death is a truly a grim reaper. It harvests where it never sowed. Death, that blind giant, descended on Plateau State, Monday 19th January, 2026. In one fell swoop, that hawk clawed away Prof. Yohanna Izam from our frightened flock.Prof. Yohanna Izam, a reputable builder, scholar, former provost, Commissioner and Vice Chancellor was one of those multi-profiled prodigies whose achievements are difficult to count, impossible to pigeon-hole. A quiet, tenacious scholar who commands respect without demanding it, a conscientious intellectual never scared of making critical decisions at crucial moments, the greater his achievements have been, the humbler Yohanna Izam had become. His interests –and talents---knew no boundaries, ranging as they did on all areas as diverse as Building, Architecture, Environment, Politics, Governance, Philosophy, History, Literature and Sports.By Yohanna Izam’s passing, Plateau State has lost a loyal son, Nigeria, a courageous patriot and I, a valuable friend and colleague. He was committed and admirably dedicated to excellence. He will be missed by all lovers of principle, justice, intelligence and commitment to public and intellectual service. Izam remains a vital icon in our house of memory and will be remembered for many things, one of them and the most prominent of them, being his vision, administrative acumen and a deep humanity.  Our ranks stand diminished by his passing.

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Prof. Izam : UNTIMELY ECLIPSE