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By Olanipekun Omowumi
On Saturday, 27th June, 2026, the launch of the book A History of Lassa, written by Abdulkadir Gambo. Gadzama, was held at the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, Central Business District, Abuja. I was at the event alongside my Big Daddy, Dr. Bukar Usman, who served as the reviewer of the book.
The event brought together distinguished personalities from academia, government, religious organizations and traditional institutions. The purpose of the programme was to officially launch the book; educate the public on the historical significance of Lassa; preserve its cultural heritage; correct the common misconception that “Lassa” refers only to the disease known as ‘Lassa fever’; promote the preservation of Nigeria’s history and cultural heritage through literature and raise funds to support the publication and wider distribution of the book.
The programme commenced with Christian and Muslim opening prayers, showing unity and religious harmony. This was followed by opening remarks by the Chairman Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, OFR, SAN, during which he welcomed guests and emphasized the importance of documenting history for future generations.
The author, Mr. Gadzama, presented his speech, explaining the inspiration behind writing A History of Lassa. He stated that the book was written to preserve the history, traditions, and identity of the Lassa community while correcting the widespread misconception that “Lassa” is merely the name of a disease. He explained that the disease known as Lassa fever was named after the Marghi (Margi) community town Lassa where it was first identified.
A major highlight of the event was the book review by Dr. Usman. In the review titled “Lassa: A Different History,” he gave a comprehensive analysis of the contents of the book, highlighting its historical relevance, depth of research, and contribution to preserving the heritage of the Lassa people. He emphasized that the publication serves as an important historical record that educates readers about the true identity of Lassa and corrects long-standing misconceptions.
Following the review, the Lead Launcher presenter a goodwill message, congratulating the author and encouraging scholars and researchers to continue documenting Nigeria’s history for future generations.
The audience was later entertained by the Margi Traditional Dancers from Borno State. Their colourful and energetic performance showcased the rich cultural heritage of the Margi people and added excitement and cultural significance to the event.
The programme continued with the dedication of the book by Rev. Yakubu Musa, after which the official book launch commenced. During the launch, the Lead Launcher and Chairman Chief Gadzama; Father of the Day Maj.Gen. Paul C. Tarfa, CON; Mother of the Day Mrs. Parmata Ishaya (Nee Abasu Dunya); Chairlady Mrs Asta Paul Thahal; co-launchers; supporters and several invited guests made generous financial donations towards the publication and distribution of the book.
At the end of the event, Dr. Usman generously distributed copies of his publication titled A Review of A History of Lassa to guests and interested participants. The publication contains his detailed review of the book and provides readers with additional insight into its historical significance and major themes.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by the Chairman of the Planning Committee, CP Samson V. Wudah (Rtd), who expressed appreciation to the author, dignitaries, donors, organizers, and all participants for contributing to the success of the event. The ceremony ended with Christian and Muslim closing prayers.
From the event, I learnt the importance of preserving history through literature and research. I also gained a better understanding that Lassa is a historical community whose name became internationally recognized because the disease known as Lassa fever was first identified there. The event further reinforced the value of scholarly book reviews, cultural preservation, and collective support for educational and historical publications.
The launch of A History of Lassa was a successful, educational, and culturally enriching event. It achieved its objective of enlightening participants about the historical significance of Lassa while correcting misconceptions associated with its name. The insightful review by Dr. Usman, the author’s presentation, the goodwill messages, the impressive Margi cultural performance, the successful fundraising, and the distribution of A Review of A History of Lassa made the occasion memorable and impactful. The event underscored the importance of documenting history, preserving cultural heritage, and promoting knowledge through literature. The generous donations made during the launch reflected the participants’ support for historical research and literary development.
Photo: The author, Abdulkadir Gambo, with the reviewer, Dr. Bukar Usman at the launch of A History of Lassa in Abuja recently.z
