Abubakar Imam is one of the superior writers that comes from Northern Nigeria, He is among the pioneer writers according to the Northern Nigerian literature and also Hausa literature. He wrote many books that are still important in literature history even after his death.
He works for a better northern Nigeria through his writings because he was a teacher who was passionate about seeing his people acquire knowledge.
Early Life
Abubakar Imam is a northerner who was born in Kagara on the 1st day of February 1911, he comes from Kagara village which is located in Niger State of Nigeria, and he grown-up with a positive influence of Islamic teachings because he started learning in an Orthodox Arabic School in his early age which became a good impact on him later in his life.
Educational Background
He started his early education as a student of secular education where his yearning for beneficial knowledge took him to Katsina Training College, and based on his intelligence and merit he became a certified teacher in the year 1927.
After that, he furthered his research at the University of London’s Institute of Education where his first-ever literature work began, “Ruwan Bagaja” was the first book he composed.
Writing Career
Abubakar Imam entered a literary contest in 1933, using his first work of “Ruwan Bagaja” and his work scoring the heart of Rupert East who was the judge of the contest. Rupert East shows his admiration towards the book because it was interwoven with the lore of indigenous traditions, the book caught a lot of people’s interest, and this elevated Abubakar Imam’s status in the literary sphere. He wrote his second book “Magana Jari Ce” after he forfeited his teaching role to work for Translation Bureau.
The writing career of Abubakar Imam eventually moved on, where he wrote his third book “Tafiya Mabudin Ilimi” which summarizes all the books he wrote in his lifetime.
Books Written by Abubakar Imam
The list of books that Alhaji Abubakar Imam wrote in his life include :-
- Ruwan Bagaja
- Magana Jari Ce part 1
- Magana Jari Ce part 2
- Tafiya Mabudin Ilimi
- Magana Jari Ce part 3
- Six Hausa Plays
- Karamin Sani kukumi part 1
- karamin Sani kukumi part 2
- Ikon Allah part 1 by Dr East and Imam
- Ikon Allah part 2 by Dr East and Imam
- Tarihin Annabi (SAW)
- Sayyidina Abubakar (RA)
- Tarihin Musulunci
- Hajj Mabudin ilimi
- Hausa Bakwai (7)
- Tambaya Goma Amsa Goma
- Auren Zobe
Politics and Service to Government
Abubakar Imam was appointed as the Editor of Gaskiya Tafi Kwabo, a journal that was owned by the Nigerian Government in 1939, the first notable Hausa newspaper that came into existence. He visited England in 1943 as an envoy of the west African Press.
During this trip, he applied for the administration of learning equipment to school the Hausa people of Northern Nigeria. Imam and Rupert East with some of their colleagues paved the path for the creation of Gaskiya corporations in 1945.
Gaskiya corporations became a publication center for Northern writers. Imam earned the position of senior service which was reserved for colonial masters alone because of his competence and capability awarded him head of the book department.
Entry into Politics
A lot of Northern writers influenced the political participation of Abubakar Imam. Immediately after NPC was created, with the team of Umaru Agaie and the support of Nuhu Bamalli, the managerial center of the party was formed, after some progressive years with a short time, Imam forfeited politics to preoccupy himself with the betterment of civil service and push northern Nigerian literature towards greater heights by supporting it.
He also became part of the public service commission in the Northern region from 1958-1966 during the Nigerian Civil War.
Death of Alhaji Abubakar Imam
After the Civil War of 1966 for a short period of time, Abubakar Imam started a sickness that led to his death in 1981. He died in Zaria, the place where he spent most of his life.
Achievements and Legacy
Abubakar Imam was a teacher who look after his students wholeheartedly, he sacrificed a lot for humanity.
He understood the teachings of his religion and passes them to his students and also stress the relevance of living a modest life and hardworking. His principles greatly emphasized being prudent with earnings.
Abubakar Imam urology center in kano was named after him.
Read: Abubakar Imam Memoirs Edited by Abdulrahman Mora
Conclusion
The literary spheres have agreed that Abubakar Imam is one of the premier pioneers of Northern Nigerian literature. He is a literary icon, a teacher, and a politician that many Northern Nigerian intellectuals are proud of for his efforts towards a greater Northern Nigeria.
