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By Henry Akubuiro
Prolific Nigerian author and President, Nigerian Folklore Society (NFS), Dr. Bukar Usman, has added six new publications to his growing oeuvre.
The new offerings include: Looking Back, Looking Forward: 80th Birthday Reflections and Commentaries, a 973-page book in hardback published by Klamidas Communications Ltd, Abuja (2026; My Folklore Journey, a 402-page book published by Klamidas Communications Ltd, Abuja (2026), and My Involvement in the World of Folktales, a 364-page book published by Klamidas Communications Ltd, Abuja.
Others include: Peace, Unity and Nation Building in Nigeria and Africa (2026), a 355-page book published by Klamidas Communications Ltd, Abuja; A Review of Philip Asiodu: A Legacy of Dedication and Service (2026), a 189-page book; and Bukar Usman’s Short Stories: A Literary Analysis, (2026), authored by Duve Nakolisa.
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At 83, Dr. Usman is still champing at the bits. He recalled how it all began: “After my retirement in 1999, I made up my mind to share with the public some of my experiences in my over three decades in the public service of Nigeria in privileged positions. In the course of doing so, I veered into folktales from which I and many renown persons had benefited immensely in childhood days and adulthood. That made me conduct pan-Nigerian research in folktales.
“As I share my views and findings in the areas of my focus, the feedback from readers with the media as one of my cheerleaders, as well as recognitions in the form of honorary awards I received from within and outside the country, made me feel that what I am doing is being appreciated and that encourages me the more,” he said.
Though he wasn’t widely known as an author while in the civil service, “However, that did not also mean that I had not been writing in my official capacity. I did in a limited sense,” he said. “My retirement only gave me more free time to devote to writing, and I fully took advantage with the help of God, who graciously blessed me with good health and the faculty to do so. As I stated elsewhere, I believe every human being has a gene of writing. It only needed a small push to thrive and the public support I got did act as a spike,” he said.
At 83, the author I formed that he was seriously engaged in literary works with a few staff mainly in evening hours on working days, while his weekends and public holidays were “devoted to reading and reflections to supplement the little he does alone in the remaining hours.”
