Literature
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. Alhaji Abubakar Gimba, the Minna-based writer and former president of Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA, is among those lucky ones that are privileged to enjoy the rare opportunity of listening to the trumpets extolling their literary accomplishments. Since the publication of his first novel, Trails of Sacrifice in 1985, critics have found a fertile ground for their trade, critiquing and bringing out the essence and salient qualities of his works. As his works in novels, poetry and essays grow in quality and quantity, critical works on them grow in numbers, depth and dimensions. And by the time he published his twelfth work, a collection of essays titled Why Am I Doing This? in 2007, critiques on his works have piled high, as many students have done their degrees on them. The latest addition to this body of critical works is Abubakar Gimba: Perspectives on His Writings and Philosophy by Abdullahi Ismaila and Ezekiel Fajenyo of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai.
The public presentation of the book, organized by the Niger State chapter of ANA, was held last Saturday at Gidan Matasa, Minna, with dignitaries like the Deputy Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Ahmed Musa Ibeto, in attendance. The presentation featured tributes to Gimba, poetry performance and formal presentation of the book.
The event began with opening remarks by the chairman of the Niger State chapter of ANA, Malam Aminu Shiek Muhammad. He described Gimba as a great author who deserves to be honoured not just for his ability to craft interesting stories but his knack for incorporating in his works principles of life from which the society could benefit. According to him, "it is our duty to honour him and keep alive his philosophy and service to mankind."
Mr. Fajenyo, co-author of the book, affirmed that it is for the purpose of honouring Gimba for his contribution to literary development and interpreting the noble messages in his works that the book was written. He described Gimba as one of the greatest writers of our time, substantiating his claim with the fact that many scholars have cited his works as case study.
The chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman, observed that Gimba?s fame rests on his sense of modesty and humility. Gimba is modest about his achievements and allows his production to speak for him, he said, adding that "everyone should emulate his character so that the nation could move forward." He further observed that though Gimba has contributed to humanity in various ways, his literary contribution is the most valuable as knowledge is the backbone of every human development.
The Deputy Governor, who represented the Governor, Alhaji Mu?azu Babangida Aliyu, described Gimba as an honourable gentleman whose contributions have brought honour to the state. According to him, Gimba?s ability to combine his writings with other endeavours such as economic planning is quite commendable.
He lamented the prevailing poor reading culture and challenged ANA to help evolve strategies that would revive it.
The remarks were to be followed by the formal presentation of the book by the Chief Presenter, Senator Dahiru Awaisu Kuta, who was represented by Malam Yakubu Ibrahim. But Malam Yahaya only paid tribute to Gimba and commended the authors, insisting that the Deputy Governor should take the first ?shot?. Hence, the Deputy Governor launched the book with the sum of One Million Naira on behalf of the state government. He also made a personal donation of 500,000 Naira, which he said should be used to purchase copies of the book for distribution to schools in the state.
Malam Yahaya then presented a donation of 250, 000 Naira, opening the floodgate of donations in cash, cheques and pledges. And at the end of the occasion millions of Naira was realized.
In his vote of thanks, Abdullahi Ismaila expressed gratitude to those who have contributed to the success of the event. He said Gimba?s works represent a fountain of wisdom and that in the bid to interpret them one could only scratch the surface, as they had done in the book. He thanked Gimba for providing them the opportunity to embark on the literary exercise.
Earlier in his response to the various remarks on him, Gimba expressed appreciation for the honour. In his usual humble manner, he said the event was not about him as a person but about the principles which his writings represent. He then expressed the hope that the public recognition of these principles, as symbolized by the event, would translate into real terms in the lives of Nigerians.
Abubakar Gimba: Perspectives on His Writings and Philosophy is a 163-page book, sub-divided into eight chapters. Topics treated include Gimba?s ?Philosophy and Creative Process? and ?Typologies of Gimba?s Fiction Writings and the Prospects of Northern Nigerian Literature?.
(c) Reported by Sumaila Umaisha and published in the New Nigerian of 5/7/08.
- Chief Servant Celebrates Birthday In Literary Style
Dr. Mu?azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has distinguished himself from the other governors not just in terms of his preference for the appellation of ?Chief Servant? instead of the official and prestigious ?Executive Governor?. He has become a governor...
- 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...
- Muslim Fundamentalist Honours Rev. Father
Abubakar Gimba, the Minna-based writer, launched three books last month in honour of Rev, Father J.D. O?Connell, an Irish who has been the Principal of Government Secondary School, Minna, since 24th May, 1967. The event was attended by the Niger State...
- 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 ...
- Praxis Brings Ibb, Obj, Buhari Together
Public presentation of the book Praxis of Political Concepts and Clichés in Nigeria?s Fourth Republic (Essays in Honour of Dr Mu?azu Babangida Aliyu, last Thursday in Abuja turned out to be a unifying platform for three former heads of state hitherto...
Literature
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. Alhaji Abubakar Gimba, the Minna-based writer and former president of Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA, is among those lucky ones that are privileged to enjoy the rare opportunity of listening to the trumpets extolling their literary accomplishments. Since the publication of his first novel, Trails of Sacrifice in 1985, critics have found a fertile ground for their trade, critiquing and bringing out the essence and salient qualities of his works. As his works in novels, poetry and essays grow in quality and quantity, critical works on them grow in numbers, depth and dimensions. And by the time he published his twelfth work, a collection of essays titled Why Am I Doing This? in 2007, critiques on his works have piled high, as many students have done their degrees on them. The latest addition to this body of critical works is Abubakar Gimba: Perspectives on His Writings and Philosophy by Abdullahi Ismaila and Ezekiel Fajenyo of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai.The public presentation of the book, organized by the Niger State chapter of ANA, was held last Saturday at Gidan Matasa, Minna, with dignitaries like the Deputy Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Ahmed Musa Ibeto, in attendance. The presentation featured tributes to Gimba, poetry performance and formal presentation of the book.
The event began with opening remarks by the chairman of the Niger State chapter of ANA, Malam Aminu Shiek Muhammad. He described Gimba as a great author who deserves to be honoured not just for his ability to craft interesting stories but his knack for incorporating in his works principles of life from which the society could benefit. According to him, "it is our duty to honour him and keep alive his philosophy and service to mankind."
Mr. Fajenyo, co-author of the book, affirmed that it is for the purpose of honouring Gimba for his contribution to literary development and interpreting the noble messages in his works that the book was written. He described Gimba as one of the greatest writers of our time, substantiating his claim with the fact that many scholars have cited his works as case study.
The chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman, observed that Gimba?s fame rests on his sense of modesty and humility. Gimba is modest about his achievements and allows his production to speak for him, he said, adding that "everyone should emulate his character so that the nation could move forward." He further observed that though Gimba has contributed to humanity in various ways, his literary contribution is the most valuable as knowledge is the backbone of every human development.
The Deputy Governor, who represented the Governor, Alhaji Mu?azu Babangida Aliyu, described Gimba as an honourable gentleman whose contributions have brought honour to the state. According to him, Gimba?s ability to combine his writings with other endeavours such as economic planning is quite commendable.
He lamented the prevailing poor reading culture and challenged ANA to help evolve strategies that would revive it.
The remarks were to be followed by the formal presentation of the book by the Chief Presenter, Senator Dahiru Awaisu Kuta, who was represented by Malam Yakubu Ibrahim. But Malam Yahaya only paid tribute to Gimba and commended the authors, insisting that the Deputy Governor should take the first ?shot?. Hence, the Deputy Governor launched the book with the sum of One Million Naira on behalf of the state government. He also made a personal donation of 500,000 Naira, which he said should be used to purchase copies of the book for distribution to schools in the state.
Malam Yahaya then presented a donation of 250, 000 Naira, opening the floodgate of donations in cash, cheques and pledges. And at the end of the occasion millions of Naira was realized.
In his vote of thanks, Abdullahi Ismaila expressed gratitude to those who have contributed to the success of the event. He said Gimba?s works represent a fountain of wisdom and that in the bid to interpret them one could only scratch the surface, as they had done in the book. He thanked Gimba for providing them the opportunity to embark on the literary exercise.
Earlier in his response to the various remarks on him, Gimba expressed appreciation for the honour. In his usual humble manner, he said the event was not about him as a person but about the principles which his writings represent. He then expressed the hope that the public recognition of these principles, as symbolized by the event, would translate into real terms in the lives of Nigerians.
Abubakar Gimba: Perspectives on His Writings and Philosophy is a 163-page book, sub-divided into eight chapters. Topics treated include Gimba?s ?Philosophy and Creative Process? and ?Typologies of Gimba?s Fiction Writings and the Prospects of Northern Nigerian Literature?.
(c) Reported by Sumaila Umaisha and published in the New Nigerian of 5/7/08.
- Chief Servant Celebrates Birthday In Literary Style
Dr. Mu?azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has distinguished himself from the other governors not just in terms of his preference for the appellation of ?Chief Servant? instead of the official and prestigious ?Executive Governor?. He has become a governor...
- 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...
- Muslim Fundamentalist Honours Rev. Father
Abubakar Gimba, the Minna-based writer, launched three books last month in honour of Rev, Father J.D. O?Connell, an Irish who has been the Principal of Government Secondary School, Minna, since 24th May, 1967. The event was attended by the Niger State...
- 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 ...
- Praxis Brings Ibb, Obj, Buhari Together
Public presentation of the book Praxis of Political Concepts and Clichés in Nigeria?s Fourth Republic (Essays in Honour of Dr Mu?azu Babangida Aliyu, last Thursday in Abuja turned out to be a unifying platform for three former heads of state hitherto...