BukarUsman.net

“I have read through this excellent book, A History of Biu. Your community has every reason to be proud of you for documenting their history. It will be cherished by generations to come. As observed, many eminent people especially from Biu have gone through the book and offered useful advice. There is need for wide publicity through book launch and public presentation so that it will be brought to the knowledge of academic institutions and researchers.” – Francis Fariku

Your book A History of Biu (The 3rd in the Biu Emirate Study Series) is outstanding. Thank you for committing your time, energy, resources and talent to producing such a work in honour of our heritage. Again, thank you for an exceptional display of your writing skills and sharing with us your professionalism as in your previous works. – Tahir Usman Kadafur

“Since your latest book, A History of Biu, landed our office yesterday, many of my colleagues have been besieging my desk to glean through it. The packaging alone is superb. The online editor, who studied history for BA, has threatened to steal it if I don’t give him a complimentary copy. I am in trouble. Yours is a masterpiece!” – Henry Akubuiro

“You have been extremely busy contributing to our intellectual property landscape. I rejoice with you that you have effortless added the history of your beloved Biu to your body of works. Congratulations and best wishes.” – Segun Akpata “Congratulations. You are really prolific.” – Cyril Uchenna Gwam

“Thank you for your untiring effort in producing this classic, bringing, once again, to the fore, the story of the struggles of the people of Biu. A History of Biu has joined your ever-growing collection of books that enrich the mind. May Allah bless you, as you strive to pen new books on subjects germane to the yearnings of people everywhere.” – George Amadi

“Congratulations sir.” – Usman Aboki

“Great! Congratulations! It’s a book well written: articulate, comprehensive, well researched and documented. I love the cover design – the hill as Biu trade mark and the apt emphasis on the title is  commendable. My best regards” – H.A. Alahira

“Congratulations to my father, the great philosopher and writer. You are really the Masani of Biu. May Almighty Allah give you long life and good health to continue this contribution to human knowledge and development.” – Isa Garba Halidu

“You are a gift to our generation. With great respect.” – S T Dogonyaro

“I appreciate you the erudite scholar and writer for the wonderful book, A History of Biu. Very well-written, unparalleled research… We of today and those yet unborn cannot thank you enough. You are simply God’s gift to Biu.” – Gen. M. Said (rtd.)

“Sir, if I am not mistaken I think you’re the first person to publish many books within Biu local government… More grease to your elbow.” – Ma’aji Chos

“I felt quite humble when I received A History of Biu with your autograph. When I opened page 1 I couldn’t stop myself from venturing to the next page and the next page… It’s rich, well-written, articulate, scholarly, incisive and thought-provoking piece of literature. I was more captivated in Chapter 2 (the origin of Biu and the role of the legendary character Yamtarawala). Good work, sir.” – Magaji Mohammed Dambatta

“Let me express my gratitude for A History of Biu. I initially under-estimated the potential size of the book. It is a great achievement for you, for Biu Emirate. You have enriched Nigerians and the world at large with the history and cultural heritage of Biu Emirate. Please accept my hearty congratulations. I am highly honoured to be associated with this wonderful project. My very best wishes.” – Malam Mohammed Ibrahim, Makaman Ringim

“A History of Biu is excellent job as usual. It is a must read. This time we have to launch this book publicly – for and by indigenes of Biu.” – Yamta Iza

“Thank you for your masterpiece on Biu History. The time and money you spend in producing the books is worthy of commendation. The sons and daughters of Biu will all be happy to see this masterpiece that will be beneficial to all and to those yet unborn. May the Almighty Allah (SWT) continue to uplift your writing skill. Congratulations.” – Hajiya Aishatu S. Mohammed

“A History of Biu is a treasure of knowledge and so will have to be put to the best use. Thanks.” – Prof. Isa Mshelgaru

“Here’s expressing my profound appreciation for A History of Biu… It proved further your love and passion for family values and tradition. Here’s wishing you good health and God’s guidance and vigour to serve humanity in many years to come.” – Malam Adamu Sidi

“Such a rare scholarly work on Biu Emirate is a breakthrough in history that will ever be celebrated, especially among those of us that have our root deeply embedded in Biu. You have done us proud in having our own chronicling our history, culture and civilization. May Allah (SWT) continue to increase you in wisdom for the benefit of humanity.” – Musa Ajiya

“You are surely a national treasure, a great source of pride to the entire Babur/Bura race, a prolific writer. I am very proud to be associated with you. Thank you.” – Gen. Paul C. Tarfa

“Thank you for A History of Biu. May I take this opportunity to register my appreciation of all the literary works for the Biu nation. Nagode sir. Mungode sir.” – Birma Ibrahim Shehu

Dear Dr, I cannot thank you enough for A History of Biu and Folklore and History: Twin Rivers of World Heritage. It is important to see the award bestowed on you and Dr. Shettima Ali Monguno while His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, was there.

     In your acknowledgements in A History of Biu you have appreciated the contributions made by individuals and I thank you for that. Some of the people mentioned therein are no longer alive, may their souls rest in peace. I remember Alhaji Ibrahim Damcida was eager to see you, but he left the world without seeing you. You have become a prolific writer, a researcher and a historian. You have been able to capture (in A History of Biu) pictures of some of the emirs and chiefs which is not easy. You have done a wonderful job because you are still fresh.  

     This book produced by you is second to none among all the books written on Biu. I will suggest to Biu Emirate to ask you to produce more copies for them. They can put it in their libraries and schools for reference purposes because it will help our children to learn more about Biu. Some of the things mentioned in your book are not known to all. You have done marvelously well. The physical location of Biu and the origin of Biu were clearly defined. The settlement history of Biu groups, each group/district with its traditions and languages and even tribal marks (because Biu emirate has so many tribes and traditions) were clearly spelt out. There was also important information about almost all the emirs in the North.

     Your narration on the history of the native administration of the colonial era was good. You were right that after Independence some changes were made. I remember caps like those of Pakistanis were produced for administrators so that they can use it in the bush and instead of Divisional Officers (D.O) administrative officers of divisions were renamed Chairmen of Local Governments. Several other changes were done.

     It is interesting to see how you collected the names of trees, birds and animals. Many people do not know them. Our boys will learn them from your book. Your book is educative and informative. You have done a vigorous job. I do not think someone will x-ray the picture of Biu as you have done. Biu Emirate can deal with some of the points raised by you. If they are addressed, it will help us and our children yet unborn… The land of Biu has tomatoes and many other things in abundance. Employment can be generated through many ways. Once again, I congratulate you.

     I saw where you mentioned about Biu Dam (pages 290-292), the project which has remained uncompleted for the past 30 years. There are many other uncompleted state projects. The present government has promised to tackle the problems. I was once the Chairman of the State Water Board. I took over the work (i.e Biu Dam) when it was 18% completed and work reached 81%. Then all the Boards of the State were dissolved. Engineer Tata Askira was appointed. It was the time Abdu One Mohammed was the Governor. I know if this project (Biu Dam) is completed it will help Biu Emirate. The water transmission will go to Miringa, Kwaya Kusar, Marama etc which will help reduce unemployment in those areas.

     I wish to show my appreciation for the way you wrote A History of Biu. I appreciate what you did because I lived through the modern era covered by your book. I started working in Northern Nigeria Kaduna in 1952. I worked in various Ministries and institutions: Premier’s office, Health, and Local Governments, Security, Information, Northern Nigerian Development Corporation (NNDC), Agric. Samaru Zaria and Civil Service Commission (C.S.C).

     We were deployed to the states during Yakubu Gowon’s Regime. I was posted as D.O in-charge of Nguru local government. All my luggage were sent to Nguru, but when I reached my headquarters in Maiduguri I was asked to take over from one expatriate officer Mr. Longe Horn, because he was going to UK for six months leave. On his return I was posted to Sardauna Province to take charge of Mubi and Gwoza but was based in Mubi. I stayed for a while, as D.O, after that I was sent to Gashaka Mambilla as D.O. In the olden days we were all Magistrate Grade III and Coroner.    

     From Mambilla I was posted to Kurmi Local Government Ba’issa and then to Katagum Azure. After I stayed in Katagum for two years I was reposted to headquarters Maiduguri. In Malduguri I worked as Secretary Local Government Service Board, Secretary C.S.C, where we went overseas to recruit teachers, engineers and doctors. We visited UK, Paris, India, Sri-lanka, Pakistan, Hong Kong and many other countries.

     I retired in 1985, and was appointed as Director Borno Investment Company. After working there for six months, I was appointed Commissioner in the C.S.C where I served for ten years. While I was working in the Civil Service Commission I was asked by the Federal Government (during General Babangida regime) to go to Adamawa (formerly Gongola State) and Yobe State to inspect some DFRRI projects. I toured the whole of the states and submitted a report to Lagos.

     I received a merit award for good services during the period of Ibrahim Dada an Air Commodore and the Sole Administrator Borno State. In the years passed I was appointed as one of the members to review the constitution. I was also appointed as a member of a panel when there was a riot in our House of Assembly when cars and the Printing Press were burnt and officials beaten.

     In 1985, we were asked by the Government to go to Local Governments to set up a good foundation for them. Some of the Senior Permanent Secretaries were nominated and I was one of them. I did in Kaga Local Government (Benisheikh).

     After working for 44 years, now due to ill-health and old age, we cannot do more. But we appreciate what you are doing. We pray to almighty Allah to reward you abundantly. Best wishes. – Abubakar Adamu Biu

I read the review and found out that the reviewer has actually read and comprehended the content of the book. He did his job in a way that stirs interest, raised curiousity and discouraged the reader from abandoning the book before reading it all. It is a commendable review. Congratulations, Sir.” – Salisu Na’inna

I write to show my appreciation for the book A History of Biu. Kudos for your efforts and more grease to your elbow.  Thank you very much. In fact more people want to have copies. Alh. Shettima Abba said I should extend his regard to you, when I personally took his copy to him.  – Aminu Chamalwa

I wish to, gratefully, acknowledge the receipt of the autographed copy of your book, A History of Biu. I sincerely commend and thank you for this unique compendium on Biu Emirate which gives account of its people, royalty, history, culture, traditions and geography. The book is so detailed and explicit that it could as well be referred to as the “Encyclopedia of Biu.” Thank you and God bless. – Alhaji Mohammed Adam, MFR

Ranka ya dade! My warm regards. My name is Ibrahim A. Kwajafa working at the Border Communities Development Agency Abuja. I have had the privilege of reading a newspaper review of your book on Biu. The review was quite informative. Thanks. – Ibrahim A. Kwajafa

Assalamu Allaikum Sir. Hope you are doing great. I want to commend you for the good work you have been doing in writing those amazing books, especially the one I am currently reading, “A History of Biu.” Honestly speaking Sir, there is no time in my life that I felt such joy and so proud and happy about my tribe and culture than when I started reading this book, which my father “Alhaji Ibrahim Mustapha Kamanja” gave me to read. It is so interesting, well-researched and informative. I always love reading it for him and asking him questions which he really enjoyed. I even called his childhood friend “Alhaji Ibrahim Usman (IBUS)” to ask him about a 90 year old woman you mentioned in the book `Ya Patum Kuru’ whether he knew her because of the name “Kuru” who he said she gave you the information about the establishment of Galtimari settlement in the year 2014. I felt she must be from another Kuru because he knew all of his aunts who were alive at that time (2014). Thank you very much Sir. – Abdulrazak Ibrahim Mustapha

Mal. Abdulrazak,

Thank you very much for the compliments. Having expressed such interest in the book you deserve a personal copy. Please provide an address to which the book should be sent to you. You may also need to provide your phone number. You may also wish to visit www.bukarusman.com and www.archives/bukarusman. With best regards. – Dr. Bukar Usman

Dr. Usman, I called many times to acknowledge the receipt of the very valuable package you sent to me recently. You are such a prolific writer and the subject matters are unique. I shall begin to read the folktales to entertain myself. Thank you very much – Hon. Justice Samson Uwaifo

Dear Bukar, thank you very much. It’s a very interesting read! Best regards. – Mariusz Kraniewski

My dear Alhaji Bukar, I must send you my warm appreciation and many thanks for the wonderful gift of the book, A History of Biu, which you authored! I am highly honoured by this special book gift. – Prof. Emeritus N.M. Gadzama

Good evening, Dr. I want to acknowledge receipt of A HISTORY OF BIU. I want to congratulate you on this feat! You have done well for our people and I want to thank you for sending me a copy. I have heard of you and the great work you are doing (through Prof. Andrew Haruna). In fact, he gave me copies of your two earlier books! I appreciate your kind gesture. Wish you greater successes in your future endeavours – Dr. (Mrs)Kujara S. Ndahi

“Thank you so much for the above article; as usual, a master piece from you. I am confident that with people of your caliber speaking out on our national issues, one day soon, things would begin to turn around for good in our country.Remain blessed.” – Prof Chinyere. Ohiri-Aniche

“May I equally join the wagon of those who are baring their mind on the paper you presented at Ahmadu Bello University on the above mentioned subject (‘Leadership, Security and National Development’). To begin with, the choice of the topic is apt and you have really done justice to it to the point that you left the entire audience in attendance in admiration. You spoke with eloquence and conviction by linking the topic to international politics and the treacherous game being play by the big powers. The lecture was in a nutshell electrifying. Thank you greatly for the courageous way you dissected and presented the issues, just as they were, irrespective of whose ox was gored.

    “In fact, your  paper presentation came at a time I was badly looking for materials for a paper to be delivered at the forthcoming “2015 Workshop on Conflicts and Political Violence” to be held in Nairobi, Kenya, from July 20th to 31st. Some cogent issues raised in your lecture are very relevant to the paper I am developing.” – Musa Ajiya

My dear mentor, your write-up is interesting… Security matters have always been your area although you have recently achieved much in the literary field. The paper was an intelligent, well-researched piece that competently examined African problems, and that of Nigeria in particular. The facts are clear , objective and professionally presented. In fact the presentation is timely as it reflected on the endemic problems currently facing Nigeria currently: bad leadership, corruption, insecurity, institutional decay and poverty. This publication should not be limited to the academic environment alone…I love and appreciate your brilliance and hard work despite your age.  – Mudi Hashim

“I want to acknowledge receipt of the lecture document, ‘Leadership, Security and National Development’. I pray that BUK will one day invite you to deliver a similar all-inspiring lecture. May Allah (SWT) continue to enrich you in wisdom and good health for the benefit of mankind.”  – Sheriff Ahmed

“Thanks for this. It is a great work. I appreciate your accepting the right-based definition of security that includes food, physical, health, etc. This definition was driven by the US army and Pentagon in the 1950s/60s with the understanding that national security  (systemic security) cannot be assured if the security of the citizens (sub-systemic security) is not guaranteed or realised.  

    “According to US security theorists, ensuring sub-systemic security will authomatically check domestic threat such as the black panther movement in the USA (to bring it home: militancy in Niger Delta or Boko Haram in NE Nigeria). I have forgotten the name of the USA General (later the Head of NATO)  that was in the forefront of this right-based theory. No matter its beauty, such right-based theories have many flaws.

    “It is pertinent to mention that there are many right-based security theories such as system/sub-system theory; UN theory, etc. Can I share it Ministry of Foreign Affairs forum?” – Cyril Uchenna Gwam

“Thank you for sharing this interesting piece with me. It has added significant value to my thoughts and approach to the issues. I appreciate it! I was just wondering if those who framed the topic would not be disappointed by the broad, rather than a ‘national/partisan’, perspective you took. To me, it is a lesson in your usual way of being exceptionally creative, professional and non partisan. I commend your usual erudition and depth of wisdom.” –  Abdullahi Shehu

“The depth of research in the paper will kindle the audience’s interest in security, leadership and national development. Surely, you impacted positively your skill in security management on your target audience … Well done, sir.”  – Maria Udenta

“Thank you Bukar for this rich and well articulated paper. I will forward it to my final year students. Best regards.” – Prof Alaba Ogunsanwo

“It’s another master piece which relevance is beyond African borders and the so called developing or third world countries. May God continue to enrich you daily with wisdom and understanding.” – Simon Okanlawon

Dear Dr. Bukar Usman

Sorry for not writing much earlier. This is because I have been extremely busy.

I went through the text of the public lecture you delivered at A.B.U on 20^th June, 2015 and I must say I found it extremely interesting and topical. I thank you for sending the electronic copy please.

The paper is very concise, well laid out and the arguments very well presented. After going through the paper I came out with the following major observations:

1.   The paper is very original and the arguments presented very germane to the issues underlying the contemporary development of African countries. The implications of the issues raised, and the conclusions arrived at, tend to indicate a measure of interconnections at several levels (national, regional and international) on the question of security and that of the general development of the country. It would seem that the paper in some ways represents an African perspective on the phenomenon of globalization.

2.   Pages 1-7 represent very important insights and contributions on the subject matter. Indeed one could identify no less than eight major conceptual, and theoretical, insights that are very significant to any serious appreciation of the issues under consideration. These include:

The important observations on how National Constitutions create a necessary environment for all manner of political and economic pursuits in view of their essential roles in the definition, organization and operations of all modern nation states (P.2).

You also, secondly, drew attention to the ambivalent role of the UN and its Security Council in international affairs in general, and to the use of veto powers in a supposedly democratic institution in particular (P.3).

Thirdly you drew attention to how some of the powerful members of the international system have tended to become major threats to the survival of the weaker and poorer nations in the system.

Fourthly you clearly indentified how poorer countries, striving to become independent, become targets of the more powerful nations in the system which, you observed, “portrays a picture of predator relationship between bigger and smaller nations”. (P.4).

You also, in the fifth place, noted that such activities against weaker states are carried out under “UN – sanctioned interventions”. The contest between nations seems to centre around a quest for control over natural resources, self-governance and technology at several levels. Furthermore this contest is not only effectively dominated by the powerful states with a history of territorial expansionism, it also comes in diverse  military, diplomatic and many other forms symbolizing worldwide struggle for hearts, minds, souls, wealth and resources.

In the seventh place you noted how, as a result of these various factors, “Media warfare is real”.

Finally you also, rightly, drew attention to the nature of relationships between national security and national development.

The strength of the section, and issues, cited above is due to the fact that they represent concerned, as well as original, reflections that are informed by the broad exposure and rich experiences that have shaped your own personal learning processes.

3.   From PP 6 – 9 you however tend to, in my view, uncritically rely on established and conventional viewpoints, or stereotypes. These conventional viewpoints could also only be advanced on the basis of the denial of the very significant effects of foreign imperial intervention on the development of the continent since independence. These therefore tend contradict your earlier position in the paper.

The observation made above can be illustrated with reference to three broad developments in Africa since its independence. All of these developments represent a concerted attempt by the former colonial powers, under the leadership of the United States of America, to ensure that the independence of African states is not only reversed but  also effectively brought under the Multilateral control of the USA, EU and NATO as the new global expression of international imperialism. In this regard the diverse range of foreign interventions visited by these forces on the continent became effective strategies towards undoing the achievements made earlier in terms of the establishment of nationalist or independent regimes on the continent, on the one hand, as well as their ability to develop and systematically implement their own self-made National Development Policies, Plans and Programmes, on the other. Further to this African nations, in the context of the OAU, were able to initiate programmes of regional integration and development which would ensure their total economic independence. The efforts to contain, stall and reverse this process constitute the significant policy thrust of Euro – American states in Africa since independence. It also explains the continued, and relentless, assault on Africa’s nationalist and independent political processes in different disguises such as the “cold war”, “Development aid” “military assistance and cooperation”, “structural adjustment policies” etc.

The second important feature of foreign intervention in Africa since independence is that it operates to promote disregard for the rule of law in African politics, as well as promote lawlessness in the international system generally. It thus functions to promote impunity at all levels and to, in particular, subvert national and popular sovereignty as the only real basis for the development of democracy as well as the protection of human rights.

Where attention in focused exclusively on so-called good leadership in Africa, sight is usually lost of how nationalist leaders were subverted as a result of wide ranging acts of foreign interventionism which favoured only the installation, by foreign powers, of puppet leaders all over Africa- with the kind of result that is today generally lamented as “failed states”!

The tendency to ignore the extent to which independent – minded African leaders were embattled by foreign predators tends to also obscure how such aggressive activities, in turn, generated foreign hostilities which were executed through foreign – sponsored coups, mercenary invasions, covert insurrections, engineered insurgencies and popular incitement resulting in a state of permanent insecurity which tended to wreck any targeted nation. Only effective regional unity, and common action, will help to overcome such major acts of foreign predation.

The third major feature of foreign intervention is that it works to forestall independent, integrated and diversified development of Africas economies because such will lead to the termination of western control. As a result they stand against any initiative by African countries to control the commanding heights of their economies or indigenize and industrialize same. These are disregarded in favour of foreign-imposed policies like SAP which promote so-called ‘liberalization’ and ‘privalization’ that are only designed to secure, and promote, the imperial interests of foreign powers and their economic monopolies.

While your observations on PP6 -9 might not all together be out of place they tend to becould the major historical dynamics central to developments in Africa, in line with what you rightly pointed out in the preceding sections.

Your conclusion also, rightly, tends to reflect your earlier position in the paper. That is why the major issues raised in the conclusion tend to focus on matters of universal concern, and Justice, occasioning the need to restructure international institutions, especially the UN, in a manner that would address such concerns.

Please note that you have not discussed environmental issues in the paper even through you raised it in the conclusion.

I strongly suggest you review, and reappraise, PP6-9 in order to allign the issues they raise so as to make the paper more consistent and coherent.

Thanks for a great contribution. With Best Wishes. – Prof. Sule Bello            

May  I also now complete my comments on the COE Zuba address. LAN has been prominent in encouraging and working with different speech communities to work on their languages. In the last three years, LAN members have collaborated with the NERDC and some of the following communities to produce their orthographies and curricula for primary schools –  Urhobo, Delta State, .Ijaw, Bayelsa Stae Jukun, Taraba State. These have all been presented at the Joint Consultative Council (JCC) and National Council on Education. In addition the orthography for Cl’ela in Kebbi State has also been completed and is due for presentation at the next JCC. Beyond, these concrete results, LAN constantly does advocacy work with communities, and State Houses of Assembly urging them to start supporting the production of their orthographies, curricula and primers for use in schools.

As I had mentioned sometime ago, we now have a competent computer keyboard for typing Nigerian languages. It is the Koinyin Nigeria Multilingual Keyboard, produced by LANCOR Management. based in Lagos. The contact person is Mrs Funmi Oyekusibe, Tel. 08033161085. You and your workers might wish to examine the one I have at my place to see if it could be of use to you. – Prof. Chinyere Ohiri-Aniche, President, Linguistic Association of Nigeria (LAN)