Literature
14TH July, 2011 could be described as a very special date for the students of Niger State Polytechnic, Zungeru, particularly members of the school?s chapter of Gamji Memorial Club, as they organized a memorial lecture to commemorate the literary icon, Abubakar Imam. The event, which marked the 8th Annual Gamji Week, 2011, took place at the Resource Centre of the polytechnic, with distinguished dignitaries in attendance, including Malam Tukur Abdulrahman, Managing Director, New Nigerian Newspapers, and Professor Zaynab Alkali, former Deputy Vice Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, in attendance.
The event, under the theme, ?Late Abubakar Imam: Examplary Life for Today?s Leaders? began with a welcome address by the President of the chapter, Halima Abdullahi Sarki, in which she highlighted the aims and objectives of the club. According to her, the club is aimed at inculcating in the youth the virtues of Sir Ahmadu Bello, former Premier of the defunct Northern Region and Sardauna of Sokoto. This year?s edition of the annual lecture focused on late Abubakar Imam because, according to her, the renowned writer, journalist and statesman the two lived exemplary lives promoting the same ideology and moral values that enhance the human dignity.
In her opening remarks, the Chairperson of the occasion, Professor Zaynab Alkali, also extolled the virtue of the duo and commended members of the Gamji club for commemorating their monumental legacies. The legacies were further enumerated in a citation on late Abubakar Imam.
Highlight of the event was the lecture, which featured two topic: ?New Technologies for an Ancient Profession: Challenges for the Nigerian Writer?, by Professor Remi Raji, Head of English Language Department, University of Ibadan, and ?Literature and Development: Talent in Service of Humanity?, by Professor Zaynab Alkali.
In his paper, Professor Raji extolled the literary qualities of Abubakar Imam, examined the challenges being faced by the contemporary writer, especially the Nigerian writer, in the emerging communication technologies and how the writer could surmount the attendant disadvantages and utilize the advantages to achieve literary excellence. According to him, ?In order to surmount the challenges of writing in the digital age, the consciousness or sensibility of pre-modern, pre-computer world has to be jettisoned. The catchword in the business of e-writing should be re-orientation of the psychology of the different publics - publishing, author and the larger constituency of the real or virtual reader.?
He observed that with the new technologies, ?many Nigerian ?authors? appear ready and raw on such social networks as facebook, twitter, youtube and bing, in dire hurry on the road to compulsory fame and quick riches without giving serious attention to the craft but according more interest to personal visibilities and self-ventilations in the public sphere.? And this, according to him, makes writing in
the digital age doubly daunting as badly written works, in terrible, ugly and awkward language are foisted freely on a readership that is few and far between. Hence, ?The editor is no longer relevant, in fact the editor is dead, and the author is king, as long as there is a ready listserv or a contrived blog?.
To this end, he concluded by advising that the emerging author must consider the wisdom that writing is first an intimately privatist work which demands years of hard cerebral labour involving observation, imitation, experimentation before that unique milestone of originality. ?Everyone who thinks he can write is a writer, just as every rough diamond is a gem; however, in order to achieve refinement, in order to achieve remarkable and genuine recognition, the writer must be engaged in the constant acts of reading, thinking, revision and experimentation,? he concluded.
In her own presentation, Professor Zaynab Alkali observed that literature is aimed at teaching, informing and raising the consciousness of the readers. She, however, observed that in Nigeria, literature is not playing its role fully because of some shortcomings, which include low reading culture. She then called on the federal government to take further steps, in addition to the ?Bring Back the Book Project, to implement the age long policies with regard to developing and sustaining the reading culture. She called for the preservation of our oral and written literature through the recommended systems, namely, schools language centres, writers? workshops, book development councils and media, through interactions between young and old writers, international reading festivals organized under writers? workshops, or book development councils, to foster international relations with foreign sister organizations based on the exchange of ideas. If these suggestions are implemented, according to her, our literature would, among other things, be one of the best sources of wealth creation for the nation, thus positioning the writers as national leaders and torch bearers. She added that ?This can only come to pass when Nigerian writers are sincerely ready to speak up, and place their talent in the service of humanity?.
Responding to the presentations as one of the discussants, Malam Tukur Abdulrahman, commended the presenters, stressing that they have so exhaustively discussed the topics that there was hardly anything else to add. He then re-iterated the points made, particularly concerning Abubakar Imam?s journalism career as the first editor of Gaskiya Ta Fi Kwabo newspaper, a subsidiary of the New Nigerian Newspapers. Malam Abdulrahman, who was also editor of the Hausa language paper, asserted that contrary to the belief that this aspect of Imam?s legacy no longer exists, Gaskiya newspaper is still alive and comes out every Monday and Tuesday. On the aspect of writing and the new technology, he advised writers to make the best use of the new information and communication technology to enhance their crafts.
In his goodwill message, the Special Guest of Honour, Governor of Niger State, Dr. Aliyu Mu?azu Babangida, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Muhammed Bawa, described the occasion as a forum for sober reflection on the personalities of Abubakar Imam, Sir Ahmadu Bello and what they stood for, which is good governance, equity and justice. He said in view of the prevailing lack of employment, polytechnic education, which is job-oriented should be truly deployed towards empowering graduants economically. This message was re-echoed by the Mother of the Day, Mrs. Jummai Aliyu Babagida, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Gender Affairs, Hajiya Hauwa Muhammed.
In his remarks, the Chief Host, Alhaji (Chief) Garba K. Muhammed, (Jakadan Kagara), who is the Rector, the Niger State Polytechnic, Zungeru, spoke on the significance of the occasion and the efforts of the polytechnic towards ensuring the graduation of self-reliant students. He also advocated for the teaching of indigenous literature in school, as it was the case in the past, for the effective inculcation of moral values in the Nigerian child.
Special Guest of Honour, Justice Mamman Nasir, National President and Patron of Gamji Club, represented by Alhaji Musa Yar?Adua, explained the aims behind founding the club, stressing that it was free for everyone who shares the same values and philosophies with Sir Ahmadu bello and Abubakar Imam to join.
The event was rounded off with presentation of certificates to paper presenters, discussants, outstanding members of the club and executive council members of the club, and a visit to the Abubakar Imam Memorial Garden, which is stll under construction.
(c) Reported in the New Nigerian edition of 17th July, 2011 by Sumaila Umaisha.
- Niger State: The Making Of A Literary Capital
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Literature
Gamji Memorial Club celebrates Abubakar Imam
14TH July, 2011 could be described as a very special date for the students of Niger State Polytechnic, Zungeru, particularly members of the school?s chapter of Gamji Memorial Club, as they organized a memorial lecture to commemorate the literary icon, Abubakar Imam. The event, which marked the 8th Annual Gamji Week, 2011, took place at the Resource Centre of the polytechnic, with distinguished dignitaries in attendance, including Malam Tukur Abdulrahman, Managing Director, New Nigerian Newspapers, and Professor Zaynab Alkali, former Deputy Vice Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, in attendance.
The event, under the theme, ?Late Abubakar Imam: Examplary Life for Today?s Leaders? began with a welcome address by the President of the chapter, Halima Abdullahi Sarki, in which she highlighted the aims and objectives of the club. According to her, the club is aimed at inculcating in the youth the virtues of Sir Ahmadu Bello, former Premier of the defunct Northern Region and Sardauna of Sokoto. This year?s edition of the annual lecture focused on late Abubakar Imam because, according to her, the renowned writer, journalist and statesman the two lived exemplary lives promoting the same ideology and moral values that enhance the human dignity.
In her opening remarks, the Chairperson of the occasion, Professor Zaynab Alkali, also extolled the virtue of the duo and commended members of the Gamji club for commemorating their monumental legacies. The legacies were further enumerated in a citation on late Abubakar Imam.
Highlight of the event was the lecture, which featured two topic: ?New Technologies for an Ancient Profession: Challenges for the Nigerian Writer?, by Professor Remi Raji, Head of English Language Department, University of Ibadan, and ?Literature and Development: Talent in Service of Humanity?, by Professor Zaynab Alkali.
In his paper, Professor Raji extolled the literary qualities of Abubakar Imam, examined the challenges being faced by the contemporary writer, especially the Nigerian writer, in the emerging communication technologies and how the writer could surmount the attendant disadvantages and utilize the advantages to achieve literary excellence. According to him, ?In order to surmount the challenges of writing in the digital age, the consciousness or sensibility of pre-modern, pre-computer world has to be jettisoned. The catchword in the business of e-writing should be re-orientation of the psychology of the different publics - publishing, author and the larger constituency of the real or virtual reader.?
He observed that with the new technologies, ?many Nigerian ?authors? appear ready and raw on such social networks as facebook, twitter, youtube and bing, in dire hurry on the road to compulsory fame and quick riches without giving serious attention to the craft but according more interest to personal visibilities and self-ventilations in the public sphere.? And this, according to him, makes writing in
the digital age doubly daunting as badly written works, in terrible, ugly and awkward language are foisted freely on a readership that is few and far between. Hence, ?The editor is no longer relevant, in fact the editor is dead, and the author is king, as long as there is a ready listserv or a contrived blog?.
To this end, he concluded by advising that the emerging author must consider the wisdom that writing is first an intimately privatist work which demands years of hard cerebral labour involving observation, imitation, experimentation before that unique milestone of originality. ?Everyone who thinks he can write is a writer, just as every rough diamond is a gem; however, in order to achieve refinement, in order to achieve remarkable and genuine recognition, the writer must be engaged in the constant acts of reading, thinking, revision and experimentation,? he concluded.
In her own presentation, Professor Zaynab Alkali observed that literature is aimed at teaching, informing and raising the consciousness of the readers. She, however, observed that in Nigeria, literature is not playing its role fully because of some shortcomings, which include low reading culture. She then called on the federal government to take further steps, in addition to the ?Bring Back the Book Project, to implement the age long policies with regard to developing and sustaining the reading culture. She called for the preservation of our oral and written literature through the recommended systems, namely, schools language centres, writers? workshops, book development councils and media, through interactions between young and old writers, international reading festivals organized under writers? workshops, or book development councils, to foster international relations with foreign sister organizations based on the exchange of ideas. If these suggestions are implemented, according to her, our literature would, among other things, be one of the best sources of wealth creation for the nation, thus positioning the writers as national leaders and torch bearers. She added that ?This can only come to pass when Nigerian writers are sincerely ready to speak up, and place their talent in the service of humanity?.
Responding to the presentations as one of the discussants, Malam Tukur Abdulrahman, commended the presenters, stressing that they have so exhaustively discussed the topics that there was hardly anything else to add. He then re-iterated the points made, particularly concerning Abubakar Imam?s journalism career as the first editor of Gaskiya Ta Fi Kwabo newspaper, a subsidiary of the New Nigerian Newspapers. Malam Abdulrahman, who was also editor of the Hausa language paper, asserted that contrary to the belief that this aspect of Imam?s legacy no longer exists, Gaskiya newspaper is still alive and comes out every Monday and Tuesday. On the aspect of writing and the new technology, he advised writers to make the best use of the new information and communication technology to enhance their crafts.
In his goodwill message, the Special Guest of Honour, Governor of Niger State, Dr. Aliyu Mu?azu Babangida, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Muhammed Bawa, described the occasion as a forum for sober reflection on the personalities of Abubakar Imam, Sir Ahmadu Bello and what they stood for, which is good governance, equity and justice. He said in view of the prevailing lack of employment, polytechnic education, which is job-oriented should be truly deployed towards empowering graduants economically. This message was re-echoed by the Mother of the Day, Mrs. Jummai Aliyu Babagida, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Gender Affairs, Hajiya Hauwa Muhammed.
In his remarks, the Chief Host, Alhaji (Chief) Garba K. Muhammed, (Jakadan Kagara), who is the Rector, the Niger State Polytechnic, Zungeru, spoke on the significance of the occasion and the efforts of the polytechnic towards ensuring the graduation of self-reliant students. He also advocated for the teaching of indigenous literature in school, as it was the case in the past, for the effective inculcation of moral values in the Nigerian child.
Special Guest of Honour, Justice Mamman Nasir, National President and Patron of Gamji Club, represented by Alhaji Musa Yar?Adua, explained the aims behind founding the club, stressing that it was free for everyone who shares the same values and philosophies with Sir Ahmadu bello and Abubakar Imam to join.
The event was rounded off with presentation of certificates to paper presenters, discussants, outstanding members of the club and executive council members of the club, and a visit to the Abubakar Imam Memorial Garden, which is stll under construction.
(c) Reported in the New Nigerian edition of 17th July, 2011 by Sumaila Umaisha.
- Niger State: The Making Of A Literary Capital
Once upon a time the area known today as Niger State was famous mainly for its strategic position as a major railway station that drew together people from diverse ethnic groups. But the literary revolution, which began with Abubakar Imam?s legendary...
- Niger Holds The First National Literary Colloquium In Grand Style
Chief Servant receiving letter of appreciation (in which the Writers' Village is named after him) from Gimba ...
- Zaynab Alkali Chats With Kasu Students
AS part of the regular interactive sessions for its students, the Department of English and Drama, Faculty of Arts, Kaduna State University, Kaduna, hosted Zaynab Alkali, last week. Zaynab is the first Northern Nigerian woman novelist in English language...
- Gimba's Works In Perspective (report)
Some writers never get the recognition they deserve during their life times, they are discovered and celebrated only after they are dead and gone, while others bask in the glory of their literary exploits from the very beginning of their writing career....
- Northern Nigeria Writers' Summit Makes First Outing (report)
The Northern Nigeria Writers? Summit instituted by the Northern chapters of the Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA, has made its first outing. And what a grand outing it was! Not only was it well attended, the activities marking the event were so well...