Bauchi agog in honour of late Sa’adu Zungur

Sixty-six years after his demise, the positive impacts of the life of late Sa’adu Zungur on individuals, communities and humanity in general is still being recognised by many.

A jurist, politician, poet and revolutionist, Zungur rendered selfless services to Nigeria in different capacities during his lifetime.

Generally regarded among his contemporaries as the father of radical politics in northern Nigeria, late Zungur was born in 1914 and died on January 28, 1958.

Thousands of personalities from within and outside Bauchi will, today, converge on the Command Guest Inn, Bauchi State, to honour this jurist of high repute.

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The gathering is for the launch of a book titled “Sa’adu Zungur of Umaru Launi Usman”, published by Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the incumbent Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on behalf of late Umaru Launi Usman’s family.

The book, Weekend Trust gathered, was written by the late Umaru Launi Usman, a renowned associate and disciple of the late Sa’adu Zungur.

According to Alhaji Yakubu Umaru Launi, the son of the author, the book was initially written in the form of an informal letter addressed to Professor Yakubu based on his request.

Launi recalled that “What actually happened was that Prof. Yakubu came to my late father looking for information about the late Zangur. He informed my father about some written documents of his communication with Zungur which he (Professor Yakubu) came across in an archive in London.

“The documents contained some strategies which my dad, Zungur and their contemporaries used during their struggle for Nigeria’s independence. So, through the documents, Prof. Yakubu noticed the strong relationship that existed between my father and the late Zungur. So, when he returned to Nigeria, he looked for my father and asked for more information about the late Zungur.

“From then, my father and Prof. Yakubu became close and two years after, the professor pleaded with my father to share with him any information about the late Zungur that was not captured in the literature so that it can be documented for the benefit of future generations. It was based on this request that my father wrote a lengthy letter to the professor detailing him about the life and works of the late Sa’adu Zungur.

“Though, my dad had written some books about Zungur, this letter he wrote to Prof. Yakubu however contains so many things that are not in the public knowledge. In the letter, he spoke among other things, about his personal relationship with Zungur; how they met and their struggle in propagating the political ideologies of the defunct Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU).

“After Prof. Yakubu extracted the information he wanted from the letter, he kept the original copy in his archive for the records. In early January this year while going through his documents, he came across this letter. After reviewing it for the second time, the INEC’s boss was amazed at the information contained therein, hence he came up with an idea of converting the letter into a book form.”

Launi added that the professor, therefore, contacted the family through an elder son of the author, Alhaji Adamu Umaru Launi, and briefed them about his plan of converting the letter into a book for the benefit of the general public.

“Without any hesitation, the family unanimously granted him the permission and an acknowledgement letter was written on behalf of the family which signifies the family’s approval to his request.

“Today, 17 years after the demise of our late father, here we are launching this important and historic book written by our late father. Though our father had earlier written two books on the late Zungur, we cherish this particular book. This is something that even our late father never expected during his lifetime, not to talk of his children.

“Remember, the document that was converted into the book has been in somebody’s possession for years without the knowledge of the family until he informed us.

“Had it been the INEC chairman is a selfish person, he could have published the book in his name and taken the credit even though the information contained in it belongs to our late father.   

“We thank Prof. Yakubu for being fair to our late father. At least, he has given the credit to our late father who happens to be the author of the letter that was converted into a book. I am confident that this book will be beneficial to the younger ones and the unborn generation.

“We also appreciate everyone that directly or indirectly contributed to the success of this book launch; they have really honoured the family of late Umaru Launi Usman.”

Some residents of Bauchi said the honour done to late Umaru Launi was not just for him or members of his immediate family, rather it’s an honour to the entire people of Bauchi State.

Alhaji Aminu Isa said: “I feel honoured to have witnessed this historic event even though I am not a member of Launi’s family. I am an indigene of Bauchi State and for me, the honour is for the entire people of Bauchi.”

Another resident, Muhammad Ibrahim of Nasarawa Quarters, said “I am short of words to express my happiness today. This is the beauty of generosity in life; late Launi had assisted Prof. Yakubu when he was in need and today his family and the people of Bauchi State are enjoying the rewards of his generosity, Alhamdulillah!

“I hope people will learn a lesson from this episode. We should know that in life whatever you do with sincerity, you will one day be rewarded either in this world or in the hereafter. Therefore, we should learn to be generous to our fellow human beings whenever we have the means and chance.”