News
Don calls for international appreciation of northern Nigerian Literature
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
Professor of African and Post Colonial Literary Studies, Abel Joseph, has called for International Appreciation of Northern Nigerian Literature for global literary canonisation in view of its contributions to the literary world and historical antecedence.
The Don who is of the Department of English and Literary studies, Federal University Lokoja, disclosed this while delivering the 17th Inaugural lecture series of the university on Thursday in Lokoja.
Speaking on the topic: “Weaving the tapestry of northern Nigeria fictional imaginaries from the provincial to the pluriversal”, the professor described Northern Nigerian literature as a treasure trove of voices and narratives.
He said that in order for the Northern Nigerian literature to find its space within the global literary canon, there must be strategic, deliberate and sustained efforts in terms of collaborations involving authors, publishers, translators, educators, and policymakers.
He advocated for the introduction of Northern Nigerian literature and cultural studies into educational curricula of tertiary institutions if not nationally, at least in the Universities in Northern Nigeria.
“In practical terms, regional literature modules or Courses can be introduced and integrated into existing literature programmes in the Departments of English and Literary Studies.
“Through this, students would be exposed to works from the region to provide a richer perspective of what constitutes the Nigerian literature” Prof. Abel hinted.
He advocated Investments in translation initiatives or projects to make the literature accessible to a wider audience adding that translating works for indigenous languages can break down language barriers and enable global readership.
He also called for organization of literary festivals and events to encourage participation in international literary festivals, book fairs, and events.
“These platforms provide opportunities for authors to present their works and engage with imternational audiences and network with publishers, translators and fellow writers.
Prof. Abel Joseph also called fort the establishment of a Centre for Nigerian Cultural Studies in Federal University Lokoja to midwife a project to canonize Northern Nigerian writers.
He stressed that the FUL could live up to the general and statutory expectations of a “Centre of Learning aware of, and vibrantly responding to emerging ideational values and their nuances for research, Pedagogy, and innovation.
“In this center, scholars can research on significant historical and archaeological aspects of Nigeria’s fast disappearing cultural ethos”, he said.
The Don held that the Center would further secure for the University that capacity for knowledge production and the possible canonisation of Northern Nigerian literary writers.
“Same in much the same instances that, for example, Universities of Ibadan, Lagos, Nigeria (Nsukka), Benin, Obafemi Awolowo, have succeeded in canonising Nigerian writers like Achebe, Clark, Soyinka, Okigbo, Okpewho, Osundare, lyayi, Ojaide, and a host of others.
“It would help rein in other gifted but neglected Nigerian Writers from within the immediate valance of central Nigeria and beyond”, he said. (Ends)
News
Yusuf laments over disparities in development between North South
***Blames love for personal enrichment in public service for poverty. Insecurity in the region
A former National Health Insurance Scheme secretary, Usman Yusuf has expressed concern over the disparities in development and resource allocation between the north and south of Nigeria.
He lamented that while the south is investing in massive infrastructure projects like a 15.6 trillion naira highway, the north is struggling with poverty and insecurity
Yusuf criticised the prioritisation of personal enrichment in public service, citing examples of corrupt practices and the need for accountability.
He emphasised that holding public office is not an end in itself but rather a means to serve the people, and that true leadership requires dedication to the well-being of all citizens.
According to him, “Our people in the north are lining up like defeated people, while in the south, they’re building a 15.6 trillion highway. We in the north are not doing well. We are here in Abuja distributing money to themselves, Ningi Gate, you forgot. So the failure is ours; I’ve said it again and again: position means nothing; all these SUVs you’re going around in mean nothing because, all of you, we’ve had Chiefs of Army staff, Chiefs of Service, and Ministers; when they retire, nobody can go back home and spend the weekend without these big black guns.”
Usman Yusuf is a Nigerian professor of haematology-oncology and bone marrow transplantation and an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and has practiced medicine across three continents – Africa, Europe and North America – after his MBBS in 1982. He was appointed the executive secretary / chief executive officer of the National Helath Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in August 2016 by President Muhammadu Buhari.
News
Group demands Coordinated security surveillance at Hajj Camps, Embarkation points
A faith-based Civil Society Organization, (CSO), that monitors and reports Hajj and Umrah activities Independent Hajj Reporters, (IHR) has called on the Federal and state governments to make adequate security arrangements for pilgrims at embarkation points across the country.
This is coming as the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia begins on Wednesday this week.
In a statement on Monday signed by its national coordinator Ibrahim Mohammed the IHR indicated that over 65, 000 intending pilgrims from Nigeria will be leaving their homes to various Hajj camps for screening and onward transportation to about 15 airports within the next 30 days.
The Statement observed that such mass movement of people from one point to another creates serious security challenges that need a comprehensive and coordinated strategy by the various security agencies in the country.
“While we appreciate the efforts made by security agencies in previous operations, we call on the federal government to order and activate a high-level security surveillance system to monitor and protect the movement of pilgrims throughout the outbound and inbound airlift operations.
“We also urge State Muslim pilgrims’ welfare boards to advise intending pilgrims against coming to hajj camps with large escorts usually made up of family members as such increases the likelihood of security breaches especially
when airlift operations demand that pilgrims can be invited to hajj camps at any time of the day or night.
State governments should complement the federal security architecture by mobilizing local vigilantes and other volunteers to form a hajj security team and provide them with internal communication equipment with state hajj officials, airliners and other airlift stakeholders.
“As journalists who worked closely with security agencies during hajj operations, IHR had in the last few years honour security institutions during its annual hajj lectures and awards to appreciate and encourage them to improve on their daunting tasks of maintaining security of lives and properties across the country.”
IHR further appealed to Security forces to take necessary “measures to prevent evil-minded groups from exploiting the Hajj season to carry out acts of sabotage.
“Anticipating and preparing for potential security threats before they materialize will help in identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities and weaknesses ahead of time”. The statement said.
News
Lucky Aiyedatiwa clinches APC ticket for Ondo gubernatorial election
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has clinched the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket as the candidate of the party for the forthcoming November 16 governorship election in the state by sefeating fifteen other aspirants in a landslide victory
The Chairman of the Governorship Primary Election Committee and Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, made the declaration on Monday morning in Akure, the state capital.
Ododo said Aiyedatiwa clinched the APC ticket with a total of 48,569 votes followed by his closest rival, Mayowa Akinfolarin, who trailed behind with 15,343 votes, while Chief Olusola Oke secured the third position with 14,865 votes.
Below is a breakdown of the final results of the election.
Total number of voters – 117922
Total number of accredited voters – 95,178
Total votes cast – 95178
Invalid – Nil
Jimi Odimayo – 490
Omogoroye Judith – 115
Lucky Aiyedatiwa – 48,569
Isaacs Kekemeke – 1045
Soji Ehinlanwo – 492
Olugbenga Edema – 395
Jimoh lbrahim – 9456
Adekojo Funmilayo – 529
Akinfolarin Samuel – – 15343
Wale Akinterinwa – 1952
Olusola Oke – 14,915
Olamide Ohunyeye – 424
Morayo Lebi – 290
Diran lyantan – 348
Prof Dayo Faduyile – 353
Ife Oyedele – 462
1: Ilaje LG
Lucky Aiyedatiwa 2,485
Wale Akinterinwa. 26
Olusola Oke. 2,511
Jimoh Ibrahim 589
2: Ile Oluji/Okeigbo
Jimoh Ibrahim: 282
AIYEDATIWA: 1225
WA: 474
3: Ondo West LG
Jimoh Ibrahim: 2668
Aiyedatiwa: 10610
4: Ese Odo LG
Aiyedatiwa – 298
Akinterinwa – 0
Oke – 147
Jimoh Ibrahim – 174
5: Owo LG
Aiyedatiwa – 2,123
Akinterinwa – 345
Oke – 225
Jimoh Ibrahim – 192
6: Idanre LG
Aiyedatiwa – 1, 579
Akinterinwa – 119
Oke – 225
Jimoh Ibrahim – 120
7: AKOKO NORTH EAST LG
Aiyedatiwa 1, 664
Akinterinwa 135
Oke 138
Jimoh Ibrahim 505
8: AKOKO NORTH WEST LG
Aiyedatiwa 5, 430
Akinterinwa 198
Oke 2, 721
Jimoh Ibrahim 728
9: AKOKO SOUTH EAST LG
Aiyedatiwa 2, 533
Akinterinwa 43
Oke 391
Jimoh Ibrahim 67
10: AKOKO SOUTH WEST LG
Aiyedatiwa – 2, 747
Akinterinwa – 272
Oke – 415
Jimoh Ibrahim – 466
11: No results for IFEDORE LGA due to alleged violence
12: OSE LGA
Aiyedatiwa 1, 091
Akinterinwa 39
Oke 800
Jimoh Ibrahim 267
13: IRELE LG
Aiyedatiwa 1, 203
Akinterinwa 15
Oke 93
Jimoh Ibrahim 139
14: ODIGBO LG
Aiyedatiwa 2, 631
Akinterinwa 114
Oke 138
Jimoh Ibrahim 845
15: AKURE NORTH LG
Aiyedatiwa 2, 860
Akinterinwa 177
Oke 1, 239
Jimoh Ibrahim 1, 606
16: AKURE SOUTH LG
Aiyedatiwa 3, 265
Akinterinwa 86
Oke 328
Jimoh Ibrahim 294
17 OKITIPUPA LG
Aiyedatiwa 1, 622
Akinterinwa 27
Oke 1, 571
Jimoh Ibrahim 109
18: ONDO EAST LG
Aiyedatiwa 4, 803
Akinterinwa 141
Oke 1, 171
Jimoh Ibrahim 406
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