Niger State Government To Immortalize Alhaji Abubakar Gimba
Renowned writer and a former National President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Alhaji Abubakar Gimba, has died aged 62.
Gimba who died on Wednesday night at the Minna General Hospital, was Thursday buried according to Islamic rites.
According to ThisDay, the Niger State Government plans to immortalize the literary giant by naming its newly-established University of Education after him.
Senate President, David Mark, who was a former military governor of the state led top dignitaries including former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and the acting Governor of Niger State and Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Adamu Usman to the burial.
The Chief Imam of Minna, Sheik Abu Fari led the two rakat prayers at Habibu Shuaibu Hockey Stadium near the deceased residence along Okada Road, in Minna before the interment at the Minna Muslim cemetery.
The late author was eulogized by dignitaries for his commitment to service through out his active years and his dedication to the development of literary works in the country.
The senate president recalled that he was attracted by the wisdom and brilliant contributions of the Gimba in the 80s when he served as military governor of Niger State.
He recalled: “When I came to Niger State, Gimba was such a young and brilliant man. It did not take me much time to recognise him. He was a very brilliant economist, he was Permanent Secretary Planning and I moved him to become Permanent Secretary Planning and Finance and I discovered that he was not only an economists but a great writer.”
Mark said he appointed Gimba as his Special Adviser on Politics and Economics from 2007 to 2011 when he became the Senate President due to his commitment and dedication to work and his service to the country.
Babangida on his part, said the death of Gimba was not only a loss to those closed to him but to the entire nation and would be remembered for his contribution to the literary community in the country.
“Gimba was a real patriot who would be missed by all Nigerians and I therefore prayed that Allah (SWT) grant him Aljaina Fridaus and the family, fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” Babangida stated.
For Abdulsalami, the death of the erudite author was a great lost to Nigeria and the literary world, stressing that “we are certainly going to miss him.”
Meanwhile in a statement made available to Leadership, President Goodluck Jonathan said he received the news of the late Abubakar Gimba’s death with sadness, saying the former President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) was a very distinguished writer.
In the statement by presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, the president noted that Gimba will be long remembered for his humility, diligence, dedication to excellence and the profound understanding of human affairs exhibited in his writings.
He extended his heartfelt condolences to Deceased’s family, friends and associates “as they mourn the literary icon who has left behind a legacy of notable works such as Witness to Tears, Sunset for a Mandarin, Trails of Sacrifice and Innocent Victims”.
Sources: Thisday Live, Leadership
Gimba who died on Wednesday night at the Minna General Hospital, was Thursday buried according to Islamic rites.
According to ThisDay, the Niger State Government plans to immortalize the literary giant by naming its newly-established University of Education after him.
Senate President, David Mark, who was a former military governor of the state led top dignitaries including former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and the acting Governor of Niger State and Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Adamu Usman to the burial.
The Chief Imam of Minna, Sheik Abu Fari led the two rakat prayers at Habibu Shuaibu Hockey Stadium near the deceased residence along Okada Road, in Minna before the interment at the Minna Muslim cemetery.
The late author was eulogized by dignitaries for his commitment to service through out his active years and his dedication to the development of literary works in the country.
The senate president recalled that he was attracted by the wisdom and brilliant contributions of the Gimba in the 80s when he served as military governor of Niger State.
He recalled: “When I came to Niger State, Gimba was such a young and brilliant man. It did not take me much time to recognise him. He was a very brilliant economist, he was Permanent Secretary Planning and I moved him to become Permanent Secretary Planning and Finance and I discovered that he was not only an economists but a great writer.”
Mark said he appointed Gimba as his Special Adviser on Politics and Economics from 2007 to 2011 when he became the Senate President due to his commitment and dedication to work and his service to the country.
Babangida on his part, said the death of Gimba was not only a loss to those closed to him but to the entire nation and would be remembered for his contribution to the literary community in the country.
“Gimba was a real patriot who would be missed by all Nigerians and I therefore prayed that Allah (SWT) grant him Aljaina Fridaus and the family, fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” Babangida stated.
For Abdulsalami, the death of the erudite author was a great lost to Nigeria and the literary world, stressing that “we are certainly going to miss him.”
Meanwhile in a statement made available to Leadership, President Goodluck Jonathan said he received the news of the late Abubakar Gimba’s death with sadness, saying the former President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) was a very distinguished writer.
In the statement by presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, the president noted that Gimba will be long remembered for his humility, diligence, dedication to excellence and the profound understanding of human affairs exhibited in his writings.
He extended his heartfelt condolences to Deceased’s family, friends and associates “as they mourn the literary icon who has left behind a legacy of notable works such as Witness to Tears, Sunset for a Mandarin, Trails of Sacrifice and Innocent Victims”.
Sources: Thisday Live, Leadership
Niger State Government To Immortalize Alhaji Abubakar Gimba
Reviewed by The Niger Times
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12:27 pm
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Reviewed by The Niger Times
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12:27 pm
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