By: BALARABE MAIKABA
[email protected] shattering news that
Alhaji Abdullahi Sani Makarantar Lungu, a prolific, versatile scholar, a
poet, a linguist, a culturalist, a traditionalist, a dramatist, a religious
cleric, a journalist and a public commentator has died after a brief illness
in the late hours of Wednesday December 8, 2004, in his home at Fagge
quarters was shocking to many of us who knew him closely and had benefited
in a way from his scholarship.
My last encounter with the late sage was about
two weeks ago during a religious book launch and presentation at the Murtala
Muhammed Library complex. Even though I was at the complex to attend a
different occasion which happened to coincide with the book launch, I was
welcomed, ushered and heralded into the complex by the late Makarantar Lungu
in his usual open minded, brotherly gesture. He shook hands with me and
inquired �Dakta�Kwana biyu?� meaning it has been quite long time that we
met. Even though I�m still struggling to get a PhD, to people like the late
Malam the fact that I spent almost my career in the university teaching has
qualified me for the �Dakta� title. So, whether I like it or not I�m a �dakta.�
My presence at the complex was therefore construed by him as one of those
guests invited to grace the book launch. I quickly parted with him and
started looking for the venue of the event that I came for. To my
recollection, that was indeed, the last time we saw eye to eye with the late
statesman. I was later informed that there was actually a mixed up in having
the two events lined up to hold at the same venue. The book launch graced by
His Royal Highness the Emir of Kano and that of Kazaure was seemingly of
more significance to the management of the library complex than the Hausa
Cultural Center organized lecture on Language and culture presented by the
renowned Hausa Literature and Language scholar from Britain, Professor
Graham Furniss. The Professor Furniss lecture proved to be intellectually
stimulating and fascinating for those of us that attended. The lecture venue
given to us within the complex even though smaller was accommodative and
sufficient for our discussions and deliberations.
Born on December 1st, 1952 at Fagge quarters of
metropolitan Kano, the late Abdullahi Sani Makarantar Lungu had his early
Quranic education in Fagge. The Malam Ibrahim school popularly known as
Makarantar Lungu Quranic school located downstream Yan Katifa lane, was the
earliest school he first attended as a pupil and later a teacher. In 1961 he
got enrolled at the Maikwaru Islamiyya School and graduated from there in
1965. Later in 1978 he was admitted into the famous Shahuci Higher Islamic
School for his higher Islamic certificate course. He completed the School in
1982. In 1983, out of his zeal and desire to further his education the late
Makarantar Lungu secured admission to read a diploma (in Hausa, Arabic and
Islamic Studies) from Bayero University, Kano. He graduated in 1985, the
year he was formally employed as an Assistant Producer with Radio Kano. It
is on record that the late Makarantar Lungu had worked as a freelancer for
the same organization since the beginning of the civil war.
As a radio journalist the late Abdullahi Sani
was notable in the production of many programmes cutting across different
areas of human interest. He was known as the figure behind Duniyar Nan tamu
a serialized Hausa radio play that spanned over a decade inculcating
education, enlightenment and entertainment among its listeners. The Late
Abdullahi Sani had equally produced and participated in countless religious
programmes and songs that are still a source of inspiration to the adults
and the younger ones. He was also the producer of Duniyar Fanisau a satiric
comedy he adopted from the late Malam Jatau Na Albarkawa of FRCN Kaduna and
Radio Kano fame.
Malam Abdullahi Sani was also a religious
cleric. As a firm believer in the Tijjaniyya doctrine and teachings the late
Malam was involved in religious activities on a daily routine. He attended
to the daily Wazifa and other religious events and lectures. Infact, it had
been narrated that even on the day of his death the Malam had attended to a
Wazifa as part of his routine.
To several of his friends, contemporaries and
fans the Late Abdullahi Sani Makarantar Lungu is irreplaceable. His sterling
qualities and attributes are unmatchable among our contemporary youths. The
late Abdullahi Sani symbolizes equity, sincerity of purpose, integrity,
honesty, dedication and hard work. He was a man of good temperament, a
sociable, amiable and easygoing personality who doesn�t discriminate on
whatever basis. He was a sound defender of our culture, values, traditions,
mores and norms. His personal friend and confident, Malam Kabiru Usman, a
school teacher resident at Fagge described the late Abdullahi Sani as a
moving encyclopedia who was knowledgeable in many areas of human endeavor.
His demise therefore is a great lost not only to the people of Fagge and
Kano but, the entire nation and the world at large. It is equally a great
lost to scholarship as academics in our universities and higher institutions
who resorted to his lectures, counseling and advice will undoubtedly miss
him forever.
The personal presence of His Highness the Emir
of Kano, Alhaji (Dr.) Ado Bayero during the funeral prayer of the late
broadcaster is a testimony to his good standing in society. The peoples�
turnout was equally splendid, which were all in recognition of the
contributions the late poet gave to the societal advancement when he was
alive. As Alhaji Abdu Ahmed (DanGajeniya) a senior official of the Kano
State Revenue Board and childhood friend to the deceased further expatiates:
� For the past ten years I�ve never seen a funeral procession that has
gathered such a large crowd. It attracted over ten thousand personalities�
it is a testimony to his good public standing, good work and journalism
exploits.�
Indeed, as someone who dedicated his entire
life in advancing the course of Islam, we are hopeful and prayerful that
Allah in His infinite mercy will bountifully reward the late Abdullahi Sani
Makarantar Lungu with AlJannat Firdaus. May his gentle soul rest in perfect
peace. Amen
MALAM BALARABE MAIKABA,
Is a Lecturer with the Dept of Mass Comm. B.U.K. and a Member
of the Triumph Newspapers editorial board.
