Zakariyau Oseni
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (January 2021) |
Zakariyau Idrees-Oboh Oseni | |
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Born | 20 December 1950 Auchi, Nigeria |
Occupation(s) | Academic and spiritual leader |
Zakariyau Idrees-Oboh Oseni, (born 20 December 1950) is a prominent
Early life and education
Born on 20 December 1950,[
Arabic literature in West Africa
As one of the leading scholars of Arabic literature in West Africa, Prof. Oseni authored the first published original play in Arabic titled al-'Amid al-Mubajjal (The Honourable Dean) in 1994. Several editions of the play have been published subsequently. Prof. Oseni further published two other Plays titled Al-Tajir wa Sahib al-Mat'am (The Trader and the Owner of the Restaurant) (2005) and Al-Tabaqat al-Ulya (The Upper Class) (2007). With the leading role of Prof. Oseni, many young scholars of Arabic language and literature are now increasingly interested in Arabic drama. This is justified by the surge in the number of Arabic plays that have been published in Nigeria and beyond. On 31 January 2002, he delivered the 53rd University of Ilorin Inaugural Lecture on Prose and Drama in Nigerian Literature in Arabic. The 53-page lecture attracted audiences from far and wide. Prof. Oseni also has a collection of short stories in Arabic Qisas Khatt al-Istiwa'I (The Equatorial Line Stories)[citation needed] .
Another major contribution to Arabic literature in West Africa and indeed the whole Arab world is his book, AI-Ma'dubat al-Adabiyyah li-tullab al-cArabiyyah fi ifriqiya al-Gharbiyyah (A Literary Banquet for Arabic Students in West Africa). Several editions and prints of this book have been released since its first release in the year 2000. His latest publication, which relates to Arabic literature generally, is a book on Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf Al-Thaqafi: A Formidable Umayyad Viceroy in Iraq (2011). The book was published by A.S. Noordeen Publishers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and has attracted a wide readership across the world.[citation needed]
As an English poet
Apart from his Arabic and Islamic studies scholarship, Prof. Oseni is an accomplished English poet. He has been writing poems in English since 1973.[citation needed] His uncommon poetic genius led to the publication of three collections of poems. The first collection Sparks in the Dark was published in 2001. The second collection, The Silver Lining was published in 2004. A third collection of poems was published in 2011, while the fourth collection, The Superb, Graceful Mama and other Poems was published in 2015. He also published a collection of Afenmai Proverbs, which he translated and annotated.[citation needed]
Oseni's Imamship role
As a son of one of the then leading Islamic scholars in Auchi city, Prof. Oseni has been exposed to both traditional and modern methods of learning Arabic and Islamic studies at an early age as his father, the late Mallam Oboh, taught Arabic and Islamic studies to the local mallams at his residence. Oseni was appointed and turbaned as the Chief Imam of Auchi by the Otaru of Auchi on Friday, 24 August 2007. About five years before that, he was installed as the Waziri of Auchi (the prime advisor to the Auchi Monarch), by His Royal Highness, Alhaji Aliru Momoh, the otaru of Auchi. The turbaning ceremony took place on 7 December 2003. At present[timeframe?], he is the Chief Imam and Waziri of Auchi.
Given his traditional background in Arabic and Islamic sciences and his spiritual devotion, Prof. Oseni has written and published scores of prayer books for supplication to Allah. As a spiritual mentor of many, he lives a simple life in a humble manner. His Imamship role further consolidated his candid efforts to encourage people to supplicate to Allah at all times.[citation needed]
Philosophy of life
As an advocate of peaceful coexistence, Prof. Oseni has continued to preach unity, tolerance and mutual understanding among people of diverse religions and ethnic origins. His philosophy about life is "live and let's live". He has practically demonstrated this in his research works as well as his practical life. He has mentored scores of academics of diverse religions.[citation needed]
Publications
Oseni is an accomplished writer whose publications are listed on international library collections. A select list can be found on his University of Ilorin website.[2]
References
- ^ "As Nigeria's Guardian of Arabic retires from Unilorin to Auchi". Daily Trust. 19 December 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
- ^ page.