By Isah Aliyu Chiroma
“My background as a literary scholar very significant to my life because literature is the mother of all knowledge and creativity and with proper grounding in literature one can break all barriers of human endeavor. I find poetry rather enigmatic for its power of introspection, circumspection and translucence”.
Abubakar Othman
We, recently, lost a literary giant whose life was cruelly taken in a vehicle accident with heavy hearts. Dr. Abubakar Othman will live on in literary history, and his works will enthrall and inspire readers for many years to come.
We were all in a state of shock upon hearing his sudden death, which rocked the literary community. The passing of this icon leaves a gap that will never fully be healed because of their enormous contribution to literature and narrative, most especially in the northeast.
This author has left a lasting legacy, his ability to take readers to far-off places, make them laugh and cry, and make them consider the depths of the human experience. His writings had an influence that went beyond the pages and into the hearts and thoughts of those who had the honor of reading them.
I still remember my first encounter with him in 2019, when I was hunting for books(still I am), I came across his book, “Blood streams in the Desert”. This was the first time I came to know about him, and it later appears he was also from the northeast. Since then, I began following his activities and looking forward to meeting him someday. Unfortunately, when Association of Nigerian Authors Bauchi chapter hosted him, I had travelled, so I missed that opportunity. Likewise when The Abuja Writer’s Forum hosted him at Pen and Pages Bookstore in Abuja, I also missed that opportunity.
This literary giant kept producing a body of work that increased in number and caliber as the years went by. Some of his works includes; The Palm of Time, The Passions of Cupid, and Blood Streams in the Desert. To everyone who has comes across his writings, you can’t afford to miss his passion for love, sometimes politics and above all, evoking visions of hopelessness, deterioration, and devastation while controlling his universe. Like in his book “Blood Streams in the Desert,” he broke out from angry dams, his cheapened blood gushing out in an unrelenting rage. The rivers change into bloodstreams on the wings of politics, the economy, and religion, giving us glimpses of the impending end of the world.
This literary figure was renowned for his knowledge and understanding of the human condition even outside of the written word. People from various walks of life found advice, comfort, and encouragement in their words, most especially the works he had been doing in Maiduguri.
The literary community was not the only one affected by this author. They were a voice for the disenfranchised, a supporter of justice and equality, and an advocate for social causes. His dedication to making positive use of the platform he was and mentoring younger generation was a reflection of his great compassion and empathy for other people.
We are reminded of how fleeting life is as we consider the passing of this literary legend. A sharp mind, a kind heart, and a visionary artist can be taken from the world in the span of a few seconds. It serves as a somber reminder of life’s fleeting nature and the importance of cherishing the treasures that people like this writer bring into our world.
The literary world has banded together in the wake of this tragedy to honor this icon’s life and accomplishments. Readers, fans, and authors from all over the country have been capturing the life of this literary icon. As my friend Sa’id Sa’ad Abubakar said, Maiduguri has lost a front tooth in the literary community.
Through his written works, his writing legacy will live on. We frequently find solace in the writings of our favorite authors during difficult times. Their words have the capacity to comfort us, give us new insight, and serve as a reminder of the richness and beauty of the human experience. For Dr. Abubakar Othman’s writings, innumerable people will find inspiration and knowledge in his writings.
The depth to which the loss of a writer may be felt is evidence of the literature’s enduring power. A writer’s influence can be felt in the realm of words not only by the tales they write but also by the feelings and thoughts they raise. This author’s influence on the literary world is permanent and will continue to cherish for years to come.
We must honor the remarkable accomplishments this literary genius made during their all-too-brief life on earth in addition to grieving their passing. Their words brightened countless people’s lives, spurred discussions, and stirred imaginations. They served as a reminder of the ability of literature to bridge gaps in time and geography, delve into the depths of human experience, and motivate us to aim high.
Let us carry on reading, writing, and spreading the love of books to others in their honor. Let’s uphold their legacy by valuing the transformational potential of language and encouraging each other’s creative spirits. The passing of this literary giant serves as a sobering reminder of how important it is to treasure and honor the authors who have an impact on our lives and make a lasting impression on our hearts.
We bid adieu to a literary legend whose influence will live on in the pages of their publications. To the Northeast, we have lost a mentor to lean on, who would have continued shinning our path towards literary greatness. To the literary space, we have lost an iconic writer, a fine poet with a voice of calmness, painting the canvass of taste of words. To the people of Madagali in Adamawa state, they have lost a representative. Even though he is no longer with us, his memory, writing and spirit live on in the hearts of both writers and readers. And to his family, may God Almighty give them the heart to bear the lost. Allah jikan Dr. Abubakar Othman.
