By Khalid Imam
Dr. Bukar Usman, the acclaimed President of the Nigerian Folklore Society, (NFS) and the President of the Dr. Bukar Usman Foundation who was a recipient of many illustrious awards including one of the highest national medals, Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), is to be deservedly inducted with the most distinguished Honorary Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (Hon. FNAL).
In a well-crafted letter sent to Dr. Usman, the National President of NAL, Professor Sola Akinrinade, FNAL aptly enumerated that the Honorary Fellowship is the most prestigious award that the Nigerian Academy of Letters bestows on well-qualified non-members who have significantly made astonishing contributions to the transformation of the Arts and Humanities in Nigeria. While felicitating with Dr. Usman, an esteemed honoree, Prof. Akinrinade rolled out the deserving names of some of the acclaimed past honorary awardees of Hon. FNAL which include among others; late Mr. Gamaliel Onosode; HRH Alhaji Umaru Sanda Ndayako late Etsu Nupe, Emir of Bida; HRM Omo n’Oba n’Edo Erediauwa, late Oba of Benin Kingdom; a seasoned administrator and politician, late Mallam Adamu Ciroma and an astute diplomat, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Commonwealth Secretary-General, and Most Rev. Bishop Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah.
These past Honorary Fellows were all distinguished giants in their different professional callings whose fascinating contributions to Arts and Humanities as well as other fields were well noted and appreciated.
Considering the high esteem and recognition Dr. Usman is enjoying due to his oeuvre cutting across the fields of literature, language, history and security, NAL President stated in his letter to Dr. Usman that, the illustrious and apex body of scholars considered it as an honor that Dr. Usman, a son of Biu from Borno State of northeastern Nigeria will be one of those called to join the hall of honour of Hon. FNAL.
Dr. Usman, a renowned author of over thirty well-received publications, famed for being very meticulous in research and dissimulation of profound history facts is a silent achiever and disciplined organizer who, before his retirement from the presidency in 1999 as a Permanent Secretary was adjudged to be among some of the finest public administrators. Through his Dr. Bukar Usman Foundation, Dr. Usman has been publishing and distributing free books to educational institutions, individuals and organizations across Nigeria and beyond. A philanthropist par excellence, Dr. Usman has been supporting vulnerable individuals with education support funds, health support bills, and he has been distributing free fertilizers and quality seeds to poor farmers in his Biu community. A detribalized Nigerian, he is with loyal friends and colleagues across the Niger. A man with heart of gold he is always willing to be a part of worthy endeavors that would move Nigeria forward. A tower of strength to the youths he is a reliable bridge-builder.
To those familiar with Dr. Usman’s outstanding public service achievements, literary contributions and philanthropy, many recognized him as one of the most generous patrons of books, arts and literature, therefore his investiture for the conferment of the Hon. FNAL held on Thursday, 8th August, 2024, at the University of Lagos, Nigeria, has been long awaited. Hence, the good news of this Hon. FNAL award has been receiving wide applause and salutes among the academics, writers and readers across the country.
Among his many awards are: LAN award by Linguistic Association of Nigeria in 2013; Honorary Doctorate degree, Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) in 2014 by Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; the Golden Ingots honour for excellence by his alma mater, the King’s College, Lagos in 2015; Award for Value-Oriented Leadership by the University of Nigeria Nsukka in 2016; among many others too numerous to roll out here.
Dr. Usman who became active in writing after his retirement from public service, born on 10th December, 1942, is without doubt a prolific writer without border, especially when the array of areas he delved into are anything to consider. Some of his publications are: A History of Biu; Language Disappearance and Cultural Diversity in Biu Emirate; Girl- Child Education in Biu Emirate: the Early Years; My Literary Journey; My Public Service Journey: Issues in Public Policy Administration in Nigeria; Hatching Hopes; Folklore and History: the Twin Rivers of World Heritage; Leadership, Security and National Development; Issues and Challenges of National Security; Language, Technology and Democratic Culture; Restructuring Nigeria: An Overview; Public Policy Formulation in Nigeria; Taskar Tatsuniyoyi; A Selection of Nigerian Folktales: Themes and Settings; People, Animals,. Spirits and Objects: 1000 Folk Stories of Nigeria; Gods and Ancestors: Mythic Tales of Nigeria; My Literary Works: Reviews and Reports; A Foundation of Hope and many others.
As Dr. Bukar Usman receives the prestigious Hon. FNAL award, one can’t fail to hail NAL for bestowing honour to whom it is duly due. Congratulations.
Khalid Imam is a Kano-based bilingual poet, writer and education administrator who is the Curator of All Poets Network International and Chairman, Board of Trustees of Poetry Renaissance Trust. He can be reached via email: khalidimam2002@gmail.com