UniAbuja VC launches 3 literature books in FCT

The Vice-Chancellor, University of Abuja, Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah on Wednesday, launched three of his recent literature books on the main campus.

Our Correspondent reports that the books launched are Seriya (2019), Omokewu (2020) and Yoruba Oral Tradition in Islamic Nigeria: A History of Dàdàkúàdá (2020).

Na’Allah at the launching said Seriya and Omokewu were both folk plays reflecting the communal philosophy, discipline, and local upbringing of the playwright and stressed the need to build a valid future for subsequent generations.

He said that the book on Yoruba oral tradition located the oral performance of Dàdàkúàdá genre of music within the Islamic Yoruba setting, helping to fuse tradition, creativity and politics, thereby asserting the significance of the form.

According to him, the books draw the need to build a valid future for subsequent generations and to encourage reading culture in the country.

The Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, who chaired the occasion commended Na’Allah for his academic prowess, adding that it was important to build academic culture amongst Nigerians.

Rasheed said that the lunching was aimed at reviving the reading and writing culture among the youths in the country.

“Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah is a professor of Comparative Literature, born on Dec. 21, 1962 in Ilorin, Kwara, and has authored more than 25 books, and several scholarly works.

“He is a reviewer for several national and international journals; and has published in reputable peer-reviewed journals as well as supervised several Ph.D candidates.

“A well-travelled academic, he has attended more than 50 conferences in the country and abroad. In spite of his busy schedule as vice-chancellor, he still finds time to write books,” he said.

The book launch was attended by stakeholders from the academic environment, the area council chiefs in the FCT and former Kwara governors  Abdulfatah Ahmed amongst others.