INTERVIEW: LINGUISTICS WILL FOREVER REMAIN AS THE MOTHER OF ALL PROFESSIONS- VINCENT

Being committed to serving you in the maximum way in the blogsphere, this time, as it's customary with Learning Never Ends (LNE), it brings to you a fresh but rare interview with another success story from the Linguistic world. He is no other person than Comrade Owoh Ugochukwu Vincent. He is a Linguist and a student leader. He is interviewed by Bello Sagir Imam where he unveils so many vital issues as regards to Linguistics and student leadership, that address the most frequently asked questions by both initiated and uninitiated persons in the field. He further argued that, in his eyes, till doomsday, his discipline will remain relevant to all other disciplines. Enjoy:

LNE: Sir, in just few words, can you tell us about yourself?

VINCENT: Ok thank you. My name is Comrade Owoh Ugochukwu Vincent. A Linguist, studying at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State. And by His grace I'm presently the National President of Linguistics & Languages Students Association (NALLS)nig.

LNE: What does NALLS offer and to whom?

VINCENT: Ah, this is a good question. NALLS nig is a national students Association for Linguistics and Languages students in Nigeria. NALLS nig fights for the interest of its members and promotes Linguistics and Languages professions in Nigeria.

LNE: What is Linguistics?

VINCENT: Linguistics is the scientific study of Language. In addition, Linguistics studies all aspects of Language from its formal structural properties to the way it is used, as represented in the brain. Linguistics as a field of study endeavors to describe and explain the human faculty of Language.

LNE: What are the branches of Linguistics?

VINCENT: Wow! Linguistics as a course has the following four branches:

1) General Linguistics, generally describes the concepts and categories of a particular language or among all language. It also provides analyzed theory of the language.

2) Descriptive Linguistics describes or gives the data to confirm or refute the theory of particular language explained generally.

3) Micro Linguistics is the narrower view. It concerns internal view of Language itself (structure of language system) without relating to other sciences and to how to apply it in daily life. Some fields of Micro Linguistics are as follows: a) Phonetics (b) Phonology (c) Morphology (d) Syntax (e) Semantics (f) Pragmatics (g) Discourse Analysis.

4) Macro Linguistics is the broadest view of language. It is concerned with external view of language itself relating to other sciences and how to apply it in daily life. Some fields of Macro Linguistics are as follows: (a) Stylistics (b) Developmental Linguistics (c) Historical Linguistics (d) Language Geography(e) Evolutionary Linguistics (f) Psycho Linguistics (g) Socio Linguistics (h) Clinical Linguistics (I) Neuro Linguistics (j) Biolinguistics (k) computational linguistics and we also have (l) forensic linguistics and others. The latter helps in the detection of crime and terrorism, as it is used by America and other developed nations. Nigerian security too can use it in their fight against terrorism and all other forms of crimes.

LNE: In brief, how did Linguistics come into being, historically?

VINCENT: Thank you for this interesting question. In ancient civilization, Linguistics study was originally motivated by the correct description of classical Liturgical language, notably that of Sanskrit grammar beginning in about the 6th Century BCE, or by the development of logic and rhetoric in ancient Greece, leading to a grammatical tradition in Hellenism beginning around the 4th Century BCE. China also developed its own grammatical traditions. Traditions of Arabic grammar and Hebrew grammar developed during the middle Ages, also in a religious context. Thank you.

LNE: What are the merits and the demerit (if there is any) of studying Linguistics?
VINCENT: Good. In my opinion there are lots of merits of studying Linguistics. Here are some of them:

1) it gives one the opportunity to know how words are formed.

2) it broadens ones mood of expressions because you can play on words and syntactically arrive at the meaning intended to pass on.

3) It gives one the link to other fields of study and to cap it all, Linguistics is arguably, the mother of all other professions and will forever remain as such, as no profession can exist without using language which is the tool of Linguistics. For me, the only demerits on this is that you will only know little about other professions. Thank you.

LNE: What are the direct relevance of Linguistics to our society?

VINCENT: There are so many relevance of Linguistics in our life. One, there is what we call Discourse Analysis, which is the field that examines the natural use of language in everyday use, which includes, gender differences, gestures, language and politics, among many others. Secondly, there is what we call Languages in contact which happens when cultures are exposed to different languages. In some cases, they may borrow words and sometimes new language emerge. Thirdly, Meaning which tells us how people understand the actual meaning behind the things we say. Then language in the social context tells us a lot about what we know about a language and its importance in society

LNE: Is Linguistics a Social Science? If yes, what are its relationship with other Social Science courses?

VINCENT: No. Linguistics is a purely a science. It's the scientific study of languages. Thank you.

LNE: How marketable is Linguistics?

VINCENT: Very marketable because Linguistics have links with every field of study. A Linguist has a place in the media house, in the hospital, in the law court, in the embassy etc so a Linguist can work in any parastatal of choice.

LNE: What are the interrelatedness between languages and Linguistics?
VINCENT: Nice question! We already know that Linguistics is a scientific study of language. Ok, from different viewpoints, as a science, linguistics can be divided into several branches. As a science, linguistics must fulfill some scientific prerequisites. First, it must have a subject mater. Language is said to be a subject matter of linguistics. As a subject matter, a language must be clearly and explicitly defined. Finocchioro defined a language as a system of arbitrary, vocal symbols that permit all people in a given culture, or other people who have learned the system of that culture, to communicate or to interact.

LNE: What can you say about learning Linguistics in Nigeria? Compare and contrast it with that of other African and Non African countries.
VINCENT: Learning Linguistics in Nigeria is very necessary and important. This will help the Nigerian government to keep records of the various native Languages spoken across the country and in the other words there will be a preservations of culture of the people. In comparism with other African country, in my opinion I will say that the study of Linguistics in African countries is still on the same pace because record of Languages spoken in Africa are not recorded and as such most of her Languages are lost. Presently, most of African Languages including Nigeria are going into extinction but in contrary to that of the developed countries of the world where the study of Linguistics is highly observed and the procedure of Language recording is on the high pace that the histories of Language development is documented unlike her African counterpart that had no history of her Language.

LNE: Probably, the most asked question by the fresh students of Linguistics in Nigerian universities, especially immediately they were admitted, is that: 'Does studying Linguistics means studying English, or Hausa, or Ibgo or Yoruba, or English or Arabic or French, or some of these together or perhaps all of them?', in other words, 'will one graduate with B.A Linguistics Hausa or B.A Linguistics English at the end of one's studies?'. What can you say about this, Comrade?

VINCENT: It's not. Studying Linguistics is all about knowing the components that build up Language of the world and also the relationship between one language and the other. Like we have the language tree, here. We now have the mother Language and the sister languages. Studying Linguistics will also expand your knowledge to play on word because of the syntaxzology knowledge. Example of what I mean- I advised him to try not to be too trying. You find out in this concept we have 'try' in two places but having different meaning. This is the work of Linguistics, its not about having just a knowing on a particular language like English, igbo , French etc. So with the knowing of Linguistics you can absolutely analysis any language you come in contact with. But at this juncture I will advise every Linguistics students to have a knowledge on any Foreign language of your choice like French, chiness etc. this will promote you much more in the labour market. Though its also possible you graduate with B.A Linguistics Igbo, or Hausa depending on your programme and the university in which you study. Thanks.

LNE: Comrade, some students assert that university primary assignment i.e studies is in opposition with student unionism. Do you concur with the assertion. Then How do you reconcile between the two?

VINCENT: No I don't concur on the opinion that the University primary assignment is in opposition with students unionism. My reason is as follows: first the University programme is peramant, a students who gained admission into an institution is expected to obey the Universities rules and regulations so in this view every students Unionism should work in line with the programme of the university because without the university you are not recognized. And if student is already committed to his studies, his involvement in student unionism will in no way harm his studies, it will instead give him several advantages during and after his graduation. Thanks.

LNE: What can you say about the blog: 'Learning Never Ends' which is on: www.bellosagirimam.blogspot.com?
VINCENT: Yeah. Its really a welcome development to see in the history of Linguistics world that a Linguist developed a site as this. With this blog issues facing the discipline can be showcased here in the blog and be discussed to provide answers to them. I believe that this blog will really go very far and become popular among Linguistics students in Nigeria. Thanks.

LNE: What is your last massage, especially to your non-linguistics readers?

VINCENT: This is really interesting, yeah I would give this message to my non-linguistics readers and also to my Linguistics readers too. First of all it's very important that everyone should have little knowledge about Linguistics because it will help you know that your language is your identity, so you shouldn't lose your language and it will assist you to have the knowledge to know how language is preserved. Thank you very much my famous Linguist, Comrade Bello Sagir Imam from Beyero University Kano for this notable interview that is gird to promote Linguistics profession. Ok take good care of yourself brother. You will go places.

LNE: Sir, this blog can't thank you enough, and it gives you three powerful gbosas. Gbosa! gbosa!! gbosa!!!

'Learning Never Ends' will soon, God willing, interview Comrade Owoh Ugochukwu Vincent on the fast approaching national linguistics conference that will host representatives of students of the course from all the Nigerian universities and colleges, to be held in Abuja, and post here. Just stay in touch with the blog: 'Learning Never Ends' for satisfying your reading flair.

Thanks for the reading!
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN

BUK GRADUATES ITS PIONEER LIGUISTICS STUDENTS By Bello Sagir Imam

As the year 2015 climaxed, the Linguistics Department of Bayero University Kano (BUK) graduated its pioneer B.A. students, ever produced by the nestling department. It is said that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step. The grandaunts’ four-year academic sojourn was capped up with a send-off party organized by the Linguistics Students Association (LINSA), on Sunday 20th of December, 2015, held at the Parliamentary chamber of Bayero University Students Union Government (SUG). The occasion was graced by personalities such as the Head of the Department, Lecturers, students, as well as some family members and friends of the students. The event kick-started with prayers by Malam Jamilu Saleh Abdussalam, the departmental secretary.

Lecturers led by the Head Of the Department (H.O.D) spoke one after the other and offered some pieces of advice to the grandaunts that will face new challenges of life, after passing out and integrating into the larger society.

Addressing the gathering, the H.O.D, Professor Mukhtar Abdulkadir Yusuf, implored the young Linguists to, in the spirit of 'forgive and forget' forgive who might have offended them in their process of learning. He concluded by urging them to be honest, saying that 'honesty', 'is the best policy'. On their part, Prof. Aliyu Musa and Prof. Danladi Yalwa emphasized on the need for the celebrants to embrace honesty in whatever they do and wherever they find themselves, while, the Departmental Examination Officer, Dr. Tijjani Almajir, linked his admonishment on the popular saying that, 'beggars must not be choosers' meaning, warning the graduates against life of greed and being too ambitious, by only emphasizing on getting white collar jobs. A female lecturer, Malama Zahra'u Ibrahim Waya called on them to be patient and enduring in their life undertakings, while Malama Maimuna A. Isma'il preached that they should be God fearers in whichever position they happen to attain. Malam Tahir Abba highlighted that Linguistics is a leading course to Medicine, Law and other fields of studies as they couldn't do without language. He added that the graduates should be able to defend their certificates through their conducts. In his comments, Prof. Hafiz Miko, thanked Allah for making the department what it is today, recounting his experience, being the first Level Coordinator in the Department. He said the task of graduating the students was a herculean one, but with the help of God, all was now history. Mal. Yahaya 
Muhammad Ahmad
 reitrated what his earlier colleague said. All the academics speeches were in line with the twin qualities boldly inscribed in the certificate of every graduate of the institution and they are 'Learning and Character.' Malam Isa Muhammad Inuwa, summed up all the comments made, urging the graduates not to be enticed by the ‘get rich quick' syndrome. He concluded by drawing the attention of the graduates, to always prove themselves as Linguists, by trying to express themselves fluently in English and in any other language, whether in speech or in writing, as they won't be forgiven by the laymen in the larger society when they become deficient in language, be it their first or second.

While responding on behalf of the graduating students, Muktar Adamu Aliyu, expressed an ocean of thanks to all their lecturers for molding them into Linguists. Also speaking, Sani Dauda shared with the audience his experience while at BUK, which included how the university offered them admission into Linguistics, as against LLB for which they have earlier applied.

He testified that at the beginning, they had no idea what Linguistics was all about, wondering whether it was Hausa, English, Arabic etc. Also commenting, a female student, Binta Rabi'u Muhd, aka 'Maman Linguistics' expressed her pride as graduate of Linguistics, stressing, she would remain as such wherever she finds herself. She expressed her ambition that she would be the first, from her colleagues, to register for M.A in the department. Their former Class Captain, Muhammad Muazu, asserted that his gratefulness to their lecturers was beyond mention. He concluded by seeking for an apology from whomever he might have wronged throughout their studies.

Finally, the new executives of the Linguistics Students Association (LINSA) were sworn in. As it is usual with such gatherings, the DJ adjusted his volume, playing the latest music in town and some graduates danced to the tune, to show their happiness. This entertainment occurred as the staff members of the department departed for group photographs with the graduates.Amidst the entertainment, the attendees enjoyed themselves by feasting on the delicacies. The historic occasion was closed with prayers.

Bello Sagir Imam is a member, Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Kano State Branch and a level 300 student of Linguistics Department, BUK.
belsagim@gmail.com/0805768003/www.bellosagirimam.blogspot.com

(C)Bello Sagir Imam 2015.

2015 AUGUST'S EDITION OF CREATIVE WRITERS' FORUM OF THE ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN AUTHORS (ANA), KANO STATE BRANCH

The American Corner of Murtala Muhd. Library was filled to the brim by established and budding writers, university dons, as well as other literary enthusiasts for witnessing the monthly Creative Writers' Forum of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Kano State Branch's August 2015 edition where poems, short stories, articles, plea and travelogue by various writers were presented, followed by audiance comment to which the presenters responded amidst avalanche of photographs shot by some audience and rounds of applause at reasonable intervals which embellished the August's literary gathering.

The Literary session took off at exactly 11:00 AM with Bello Sagir Imam as the chairman of the occasion assisted by Badamasi Aliyu Abdullahi aka 'Maximum Bodmas', the Coordinator of ANA Kano. Having invoked divine Providence, the presentations which were splitted into two sessions began. More than ten entries ranging from poems, short stories, plea and travelogue were presented in all. It included 'Ten Poems' presented by Malam Isma'il Bala Garba, a lecturer of English And Literary Studies Department, Bayero University Kano (BUK).

The 'Ten Poems' is a collection of ten different poems presented by the poet at Ayowa Writers' Workshop in U.S.A, which includes 'Both Together And Each Alone'. This poem eulogizes Yehuda Amichai, an Israeli friend of the presenter. Here is an excerpt from the poem below:

'The dawn is slicing night in half above-
Come, and we will set out for half way love.
Just the two of us will camp, before the park is opened.
Certainly everything can still be changed.
Both of us together and each alone.

My love, it appears, has changed me
To sweet crumbs of cookies that was sour dung
I come to you gingerly, and I stumble.
Accept me. No dark angels fall.
For we are both together. Each is alone.

'Watering The Trees' and two other poems were presented by Dr. Faruk Sarkin Fada, a lecturer of Micro Biology Department, BUK. The poem won Daily Trust's 'Poet of the Week' of June 20, 2015. This poem satarizes the sixteen years of fruitless democracy we had in Nigeria. The excerpt:

A nation of trees
With drying branches and fallen leaves
Hit by droughts, 16 years they lived

For blight and hunger, the masses leave
For killings and burnings, all the residents flee
To safety domains in search of peace...

And the last stanza reads:

Now the rain has come to water these trees
To revive their branches and regain their leaves

Logophile was presented by Badamasi Aliyu Abdullahi. The poem expresses the poet's love for words. The excerpt:

'Once upon a time in the island of words
I fell sick because of the love of vocabs
To the hospital I was taken in haste
The doctor diagnosed me in depth
A vocabulary deficient patients he said I was
He grabbed my card and prescribed some notes
His prescription astounded my friends
Books, pamphlets, dictionaries, and thesaurus
Were my capsules, tablets and syrupy medications'

Pilot Muhammad Rufa'i Jega and Dr. Ammar Rabiu are Primary three pupils of Hanan International College Kano. The former presented a plea entitled: 'An Appeal To ANA' while the later presented a very short travelogue entitled: 'My Visit To Dubai'. The appeal reads:

'My fathers, elder brothers and wonderful and powerful writers. I'm very happy to be with you in this august celebration of writing and writers.

On behalf of all my fellow children, I appeal to ANA to create a kids' section for us. We are the future and we are your legacy so, please do not forget us.

The travelogue reads:

Life in Dubai is expensive, eg taxi from here to our house you pay 50 Dirhams (3000). There are big hotels in Dubai. There is power supply all the time. We went to Dubai by Ethopian Airline in the morning on Wednesday. Dubai is a small city, it is not like Kano. But it is very beautiful and they did the change in ten years only.

Doohemba Gwa presented a short story entitled 'My Illuminator' which is an excerpt from 'The Diary of The Corper Across the Benue River'. It illustrates the notion that every one of us as human beings, no matter how virtuous we might be has a demon in us; meaning the good and bad side of our lives. The excerpt:

'As I sipped directly from the bottle of beer, I let my mind traveled back in time to the first moment I had my first sip of beer. I was only fourteen then when I, in the company of my mates scrambled the school wall and went for an adventure. True, background and upbringing conceal our true self; that experience taught me that. I was like a virgin land waiting to be explored; a spring waiting to be discovered. That night, my second personality was born. This very one that sat in a night club on a weekend Friday enjoying the scenario I was surrounded in.'

The writers that also presented fantastic entries are: Hussain A. Hussain, Ibrahim Yahaya Adam, B. Balarabe aka 'Nigerian Man', Aliyu Abul Hussain, and Ammar Femoh Sesay. Others are: Zaharaddeed Ibrahim Kallah, the writer of the new novel, 'The Right Choice', and Almustapha Iliyasu aka 'Amidido' the Secretary General of ANA Kano.

The international poet, Mal. Ismail Bala Garba offered some excellent tips for becoming a successful writer to the audience. This was vividly especially to the upcoming writers who listened with rapt attention. He emphasized that as a writer it's a must to: 'Read and read much more than you attempt to write. Read it out to yourself. Read in your natural way. Write and present seldom. Be a self critique', etcetera.

The Author of Microbial World: A mysterious journey (science fiction): Faruk Sarkinfada PhD, on his part just like Logal Peasal Smith, talked about the fraternal relationship of writers and creativity where he said: 'The sustainability of ANA Kano Creative writers' forum over the last 2 decades, demonstrates that Creativity never dies. It is a naturally acquired instinct that could only be improved upon, but not taught.

'In the past, the joy, inspirations and anxiety generated during the monthly presentations go beyond a mere symposium lasting for 2-3 hours. Participants often spend a longer period brainstorming and cross fertilization of ideas after every symposium. Perhaps, such interactions should extend to our homes and working place.'

On creativity, he professed: 'Creativity is just like a naturally acquired provision for a traveler on a journey but could not reach his destination if not guided; its like a traveler with adequate provision in an open desert, but lacks a guide. Young aspiring writers therefore need to be mentored by the seasoned and experienced ones to guide and help shape their focus and quality of their outputs.'

The forum was equally graced by the presence of the Coordinator, American Corner, Murtala Muhd Library Kano, Mal. Nura Mudi and Dr. Nura Abdullahi, a lecturer of Islamic Studies and Shari'ah Department Bayero University Kano (BUK), among others.

The literary forum rounded off at exactly 2:00 PM after the closing prayer. Group photographs were shot and all the attendees dispersed to their respective destinations.

(C) Bello Sagir Imam 2015.
08057680032/belsagim@gmail.com/wwww.bellosagirimamam.blogspot.com

FREEDOM RADIO: INTERVIEW WITH NASEEBA SANI BABALE AND BELLO SAGIR IMAM OF LITERATURE AND THE WORLD

I am Abdussalam Sani sitting in for Kabiru Musa Jammaje.

"Your work is going to fill in large part in your life and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what only the thing you think you can do with love and what to do, if you haven't found it yet, keep looking don't settle as with all matters of the heart you will know when you find it". This is a famous quote by William Shakespeare.

On today's episode of the program, 'Creative Writing', we are going to host, guests from literature and the world, a group on Facebook. And together with me on the programme, are: Malam Bello Sagir Imam and along side Nasiba Sani Babale.

Abdussalam: Wellcome to creative writing.

Bello and Naseeba: Thank you.

Abdussalam: May I start with Bello Sagir Imam? Literature and the world is the group on Facebook and you have avalanche of members, that we want to know more about the group literature and the world in other words, the history of the group, how did you come about it?

Bello: Well, Hello the people of Kano and its environs, and hello the members of Literature and the World. Thank you very much Malam Jammaje and Malam Abdussalam, not forgetting Freedom Radio for giving Literature and the world this opportunity to showcase herself to your teeming audience, and to answer your question directly. Literature and the world came into existence in 2012 and that was 1st Fabuary of the year and it was conceived and birthed by Huzaifa Sani Ilyas and that was following a number of requests by his fellow facebookers that his contribution to literature should extend from physical world to the electronic world. And that's Facebook, especially considering the growing linguistic and literary disorder in the social network.
Malam Huzaifa intervened by creating the group and made Rabi'u Shamma an admin, later myself that's how the number of admin kept growing up to the level we are in now, and to balance the administration of the group and to make it smoothly going, we applied the principles of division of labour which divided and shared responsibilities among us and I ended up with Secretary General and Nasiba by my side as a Vice Chairman. Now we have ten thousand members or so.

Abdussalam: The listener would want to know the aims and objectives of the group. I think Nasiba Babale...

Naseeba: Literature and the world was created to achieve these aims and objectives. Promotion of literature in Nigeria and in the world generally. Because we have members across the globe.

We want to inculcate reading culture because you know we have a poor reading culture. For writers to express themselves on how to write, so that we can correct each other.

Inculcation of critical thinking and improvement of unity and peace among members.

Entertainment aspect is entertained as well. We present poems, short stories, riddles, sometimes jokes, proverbs and the likes

Creating political awareness among members, for example before this election there was a post we requested members to put their entries on peace before, after and during the election and we received a lot of write ups, with even some members suggestion that we should compile them into a book, but because there was no funding to do this and we unable to do it.

Improvement of communication skills.

Abdussalam: When a member makes a post it can be criticized? Naseeba: Exactly.

Abdussalam: I think some posts could be error free...

Bello: May be posts by people like professor Ibrahim Bello Kano aka. (IBK) (laughs) could be error free, because he is (was actually) a member of the group.

Creation of literary awareness among members and then, there is a posts like, Tijjani Muhammad Musa writes on poetry, Rabi'u Shamma presents a book of 100 most influential people in history and then myself I present Notes from Atlanta that's a column from Prof. Farouq Kperogi.

Abdussalam: Malam Bello Sagir Imam, The group Literature and the world, are there rules and regulations, guiding principles?

Bello: Of course, every reasonable environment is governed by certain rules and regulations and our group would not form an exception and that's why we have alot of them, let me go to the info section of the group, where we expect every member to go and read before he settles in the group. It was posted by my former Assistant Secetary of the group Zainab Y. Abbas. Let me also use this opportunity to tell our teeming members that the seat of my assistant is now vacant as Zainab is very soon getting wedded.

The cardinal ones are:

1. English language is the medium of communication here, all other languages must be accompanied by English language translation.

2. No wrong spelling, post, comment or ungrammatical construction could be not allowed.

3. No multiple post by any individual member more than 3 times a day.

4. No short message services or rather cyber language, which is the order of the day on social media.

5.Critique to benefit, do your critic that will benefit readers and authors alike.

6. You should accept your mistakes.

Abdussalam: Naseeba what would say are the achievements of the group so far...

Naseeba: So far we've achieved most of our aims, promotion of unity through write-ups to members from different part of the world.

We have succeeded in improving members language and communication skills, because sometimes if somebody make a post you effect correction, next you will recognise an improvement in his post. We are also working to compile an Anthology to be published from entries of members of the group. The use of cyber language has reduced, people reacting personally to criticism has also reduced.

Abdussalam: You mention some of the activities of the group, like writing, corrections, improving communicating skills, are these only the activities of the group or there some more?

Bello: There are some more, apart from these daily postings, short stories, articles, poems, short dramas etcetra,there is also monthly presentation by the members, we do select a topic and give to a particular member to go and research on it, and we fix a time for his presentation and the presenter presents. Members would be online to participate in the presentation. We also have a radio program at Radio Kano 2, we appreciate that, we do hold the program on every last Saturday of the month.

Abdussalam: What are the challenges facing the group?

Bello: The challenges are many and the worst ones from the side of the admin is that, all the admin are committed with academic, work and family activities, so this makes it very demanding and rigorous upon us to administer the group sometimes to such an extent that one of us has to seek for leave, like myself when I demanded it, I was granted a leave of three months when I was facing exams.

Abdussalam: Malam Bello Sagir Imam, I am afraid we are running out of time, what is your special message to your members?

Bello: My special message to the members is that, we appreciate your contribution which keep the group afloat and please don't give up, continue doing that despite all challenges, and my message to people who are not members of the group is that, if you are not a member please don't hesitate join the group now!

Abdussalam: I am afraid this is where we draw the curtain of the programme, our guests were Bello Sagir Imam and Naseeba Sani. Babale, on behalf of my associate presenter Kabiru Musa Jammaje, I remain sincerely yours Abdussalam Sani from the Association of Fiction and Non Fiction Writers (AFINOW). Thank you.

Transcribed by Rabiu Shamma
Publicity Secretary
Literature and World.
10/04/2015.

ALH. ADO BAYERO: WE STILL MOURN YOU

(The tribute below was published in 'Polo & Event International Magazine' of July 2015, and later, it was translated into Hausa and published in 'Leadership Hausa' of 2-8/10/2015.)

Exactly a year ago, torrents of tributes are still tearing the media space. That's because the exit of the revered emir Alhaji Ado Bayero was very painful. One of such tributes was a 'Gloomy Friday', a dirge written by my humble self and published in both Sunday and Daily Trusts newspapers after it was read in Freedom Radio, Radio Kano 2 and other radio stations.

Alh. Ado Bayero, of blessed memory, was a member of a ruling house of Gidan Dabo, a clan of Sullubawa, the 13th emir of Kano since after the holy war of Uthman Danfodio, and until his ascension to the throne in 1963 at the age of 33, he was the Nigerian ambassador to Senegal. The emir was a former Police Boss and Member of Parliament. He answered the call of his Creator on one fateful Friday morning, after a protracted illness, at the age of 83, leaving behind 30 sons, 32 daughters and over 300 grand children of his own as well as thousands of others within his extended family.

I still recall the most striking part of his golden jubilee speech which portrayed him as some one who harbored no grudges against any one where he said: '...I want to use this unique opportunity to seek for forgiveness from all and sundry whom I might have offended directly or indirectly. I have forgiven all'. This is a rare quality especially of people of his personality. Ninety nine times out of hundred the emir was out of his palace, undoubtedly, he was attending one Islamic school Quranic graduation or another.

On the sight of their darling king, you would hear children of Kanawa chanting: 'Allah Kara maka imani, Allah Kara maka imani, Allah Kara maka imani...' Meaning, 'may Allah increase you in faith'. And for the adults they would break into welcoming smiles with their thumbs up. The emir would then responded with gentle smiles. Sometimes, he would be out commissioning Islamic structures like, mosques, Islamic schools or research centers, etcetera, which he used to do not by the usual cutting of tape but by leading the prayer, in which cases he donated in millions. The emir was also a promoter of Western education and a critic of the dreaded Boko Haram.

Dr. Ado Bayero gave a sense of belonging to all and sundry under Kano emirate, including the non-indegenes. This habit help in making Kano a center of commerce. During annual Durbas, he made tours round Kano to greet his people. For the Hawan Nassarawa, the emir would visit the settler area of Sabon Gari to see and great the people there. To facilitate peace, he appointed leaders among them, for instance the sarkin Yarabawa (traditional leader of Yoruba), sarkin Inyamurai (traditional leader of Igbo) and Sarkin Nupawa (traditional leader of Nupawa) among others. To exemplify inter ethnic marriage, the emir married Hajiya Maryam, popularly called 'Illorin'.

As an embodiment of peace, the leader settled disputes among his subjects in such a way that his decision was acceptable by both parties more than that of the conventional courts. Closeness or relationship with the emir doesn't immune one from his dispensation of justice and fairness as it was evident in some cases involving his district or ward heads and host of others. His dispute settlement didn't only stop among his ordinary subjects, even the high and mighty within and outside the state sought his help in settling dispute, which he offered with much interest. A clear example was a time when two warring kings from southern Nigeria couldn't sheath their sword despite efforts by their colleagues from other kingdoms. But when the Kano monarch intervened, their war became history.

Common people visited him in his palace and he gave them attentive audience. They took gifts to him like moringa, a loaf of bread, a piece of pineapple or any other thing they could afford which he always collected happily. He was so generous and concerned about common man to the level that he recognized the places some of them used to sit in his mosque that when he didn't see them he asked after them, sometimes he would be told that the unavailable person was ejected from his rented house that was at a trekking distance with the palace but now he relocated to a far place. In such a case Bakan Dabo would order for a purchase of a nearby house and gift it to the man. Or if it was sickness that prevented the man from showing up, he would sponsor his medical bills, even if that required taking him to a hospital abroad. These and many more exceptional qualities earned the emir reverence among his people to such a level that he was immortalized since during his lifetimes as many young and adult men who bear the name Ado in Kano and its environs, were named after him. I have never known a famous person, celebrities inclusive, whose pictures adorns the house walls, offices, buses, taxis, screens, and bikes like the emir Ado's. Many schools, roads, hospitals, bridges, libraries, halls, gates, shopping malls, research centers etc, within and outside Kano were named in his honor.

Just like Chinua Achebe in the field of literature, or Aliko Gote in business who carved a niche for themselves in their respective specializations which gave Nigeria a good name in the eyes of the world, Alh. Ado Bayero who was close to Her Majesty the Queen of England uplifted the image of the country in the world because of his royal uniqueness. In his life time, Her Majesty and her son Prince Charles at different times payed homage visits all the way from the Great Britain to the Kano Emirate Palace to great the emir. Maimartaba was indeed among the great Africa Who's Who.

Our father Takawa, as you reach one year away from us, we remain fatherless, and still mourn your demise because of the huge legacies you bequeathed us. We will continue praying and writing about you. We love you, but Allah loves you most. Glory to Allah for giving us the chance to benefit from him. May Allah admit him in jannatul Firdaus. May You help his successor, the former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria: Muhammad Sunusi the 2nd reign well. 'Kano ta dabo tunbin giwa, ko da me kazo anfi ka'

(C) Bello Sagir Imam 2015.

KID'S ZONE: CHANGING KANO'S LITERARY LANSCAPE

(This report was published in 'National Review' magazine of January, 2016)

Saturday 4/7/2015 was the D-Day when parents/guardians, teachers, students and of course the general public gathered to celebrate KIDS' ZONE Awards put together by National Review Magazine in conjunction with Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Kano State Branch. It was the day slated for the celebration of young writers coming of age contributing Short Stories, Jokes, Commentaries, Riddles and so on to Kid's Zone, a youngsters' favourite column in National Review Magazine. The magazine, is Kano-based and monthly, with the logo 'Truth In Its Simplicity'. The august occasion, which was the first of its kind in Nigeria, was held at ANA Kano venue, American Corner of the Murtala Muhammad Library Kano. Distinguished guests of all walks of life, as well as other enthusiastic audience filled the venue to the brim.



The Master of the Ceremony, Bello Sagir Imam began by requesting the guests of honour to move from where they humbly sat to the high table, which they did.Some of the guests include Malam Adamu Nababa,Deputy Director Recruitment and Training, Kano State Secondary Schools Management Board (KSSSMB) who delivered a keynote speech, former National Chairman of ANA, Dr. Wale Okediran and Comrade Umoru Ibrahim, Director at National Review Magazine, who both delivered goodwill messages. Faruk Ahmed, aka Uncle Farook, the columnist of Kid's Zone, delivered the columnist speech.

Zainab Ahmed Umar from Iqra Nursery And Primary School emerged the winner of the third position in jokes category with an entry entitled: 'The Five Caps', Fa'iza Salisu Umar from Federal Government College Minjibir, emerged a winner with second position in Youth Talk category with an entry entitled: 'The Monster Of Human Trafficking', while Khadija M. Hassan from Iqra’a Comprehensive College Sharada emerged a winner with first position with a Short Story entry entitled: 'The Danger Of Having A Boyfried'. Other winners numbering 14 received certificates and consolation prizes.

Afterwards, the winners were called upon to read excerpts of their winning entries which were appreciated by rounds of applause from the audiance. Each of them received a trophy, five copies of the magazine, 'After A Long Silence'(a poetry anthology written by the immediate past Secretary General of the Association, Zaharaddeen Ibrahim Kallah), and a carton of biscuit from Beloxxi Biscuits. As the awardees were receiving their trophies and prizes, photograpers and cameramen and phone users covered the event by capturing the moving and non-moving pictures, with the audience breaking into rounds of applauses.

Before Almustapha Iliyasu Ami Dido, the Secretary General of the ANA kano spoke behind the microphone for Vote of Thanks, Khalid Imam, a strong member in the association made an offer to the schools present at the event for a Free Creative Writing Workshop for their students, a service which according to him, he offers to private schools on fees.

Before the departure of all and sundry, avalanche of group photographs were snapped.

(C) Bello Sagir Imam 2015.

TO MY UNBORN CHILDREN

('Blueprint' Newspaper of May 26th, 2015 published the underneath piece and 'Leadership Hausa' of Oct 30th, 2015 published its Hausa translation tagged: 'Sako Ga 'Yaya Na Da Ban Haifa Ba', it can be found on: http://hausa.leadership.ng/node/reporter/daga-bello-sagir-imam')

As a typical African, I'm obsessed by love for you, to such an extent that as single as I'm, I imagine playing or going to zoo with you. 'Abban Abdul' (the father of Abdul) a contracted form of Abdullahi is the name some of my friends now fondly call me, while others prefer 'Abban Sumy' (the father of Sumy) a contracted form of Sumayya. This made me very concerned about your future especially at the eve of the recently concluded 2015 Nigerian General Elections, going by the dreadful prediction of the American Central Investigation Agency (CIA) in 2006 that, Nigeria will disintegrate in the year 2015. We thank God for now that the CIA's prediction proved 'abortive' and in contrast, the much expected 'new' Nigeria is birthed.

Dear Abdul and Sumy, my congratulations to you for the prospect of your coming to the world in a 'new' Nigeria, to be steered by the President-Elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (GMB) and assisted by Govenor- Elect, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje (AUG) of Kano State. The chief factor that brought about the new Nigeria is aptly prophesised many decades ago in a famous quotation by the former premier of the Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo when he says: 'A day will come when Nigerian masses from the North and South, Christians, Muslims and animists will merge as a force for progress and unity to kick against rigging, corruption and tyranny.'

God willing, Abdul and Sumy as well as the posterity, won't witness the reality about the dreaded Boko Haram. The 1960s Biafran civil war and Kano's 1980s Maitastine uprising were learnt by me in my history subjects. Similarly, you shall not witness artificial poverty, horrible corruption, comatose health system, uncontrollable unemployment and un-punishable exam malpractice. Others are rampant traffic accident, epileptic electricity, powerful election rigging, incessant child abuse, shocking kidnapping and what not. In other words, promising siblings like you, won't breathe 'wicked' or 'deceptive' fresh air but an 'actual' fresh one. You will only learn of all these national atrocities in your Social Studies and History subjects at schools, by your teachers, whom may probably be part of the more than 200 'about to be' rescued Chibok girls.

More also, I pray you will only read in books and perhaps watch in documentaries the 'life and death' of politics that characterized the polity in the country now. In the 'new Nigeria' in question, there will be a truly democratic politics as played in the West or even better. What comes to my mind at this juncture is the rare gesture of the outgoing President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ) of conceding defeat to the incoming President even prior to the official announcement of the result of the polls by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) boss, Prof. Muhammad Attahiru Jega. This earned him praises from the President of the US, Barack Obama and other presidents. The concession even won him awards from some international groups. GEJ's gesture served as a example to other losers in Nigeria, ranging from the incumbent State Governors to the State House of Assembly members, not forgetting even the non-incumbents, who unhesitatingly followed suit.    

Your father prays you won't know the ethnic and religious jingoism which is mostly inflamed by some crooks and good-for-nothing politicians as a 'divide and rule' tactics, in the new Nigeria.

Injustice would have been done to this article without congratulating Baba Buhari for his success in the concluded presidential polls. Your relentless 12-year Nigerian presidential bid brought far to our home: It is needless to us, as prospective fathers, when we want to encourage our children to be determined, to draw example(s) from Lincoln of America, Ghandi of India or even Mandela of South Africa. Lincoln, Ghandi and Mandela put together is here with us.

Oh Allah! You are the (Kumfa Yakun) and the All-Poweful, help us, the masses to understand that 'Rome was not built in a day'. Baba Buhari is neither magician nor God-sent angel that can transform Nigeria from the mess she was plunged into by the previous governments in only five or six years but rather gradually. Oh the 'Kumfayakun', make the posterity positively differ from the messy present!

(C) Bello Sagir Imam 2015.