By Junaidu Danladi
The Department of History Bayero University, Kano had launched a book in honour of the late Prof. Philip James Shea. The book titled: “Economic and Social History of Northern Nigeria Revisiting Milestones and Exploring New Frontiers Essays in Honour of the Late Prof Philip James Shea” was edited by Prof. M.S. Abdulkadir, Dr. Samaila Suleiman and Dr. Kabiru Haruna Isa.
The event was well attended by many important dignitaries including Prof. Hafiz Abubakar (Former Deputy Governor, Kano State), Prof. Abubakar Adamu Rasheed (Former Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission), Dr. Muhammad Mustapha Inuwa (Former State Secretary to the Government of Katsina State), Prof. Sagir Adamu Abbas ( Vice Chancellor, BUK), former Vice Chancellors, representatives of head of educational institutions, senior academics and other students.
In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor, BUK, Prof. Sagir Adamu Abbas, mentioned that the event was very historic as it was meant to immortalise the late Prof. Shea who was one of the longest serving expatriate scholars that have significantly contributed to the development of the University. He added that the late Shea had spent most of his life conducting researches and teaching in the University.
The Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Abubakar Adamu Rasheed in his address noted the huge contributions of the late Prof Shea to the development of scholarship in Bayero University by doing researches and mentoring upcoming scholars between 1979 and 2006.
The book reviewer, Prof. Tijjani Muhammad Naniya in a painstaking review had acknowledged the scholarly contributions of the late Prof Shea which were reflected in the quality of his publications and the students he mentored. He noted that in order fully understand and appreciate Shea’s contributions and the book in his honour, must be placed in the context of socio-economic, political and religious terrain of Northern Nigeria. The book contained 41 chapters that discussed various economic and social issues of Northern Nigeria written by prominent scholars and researchers of the region. He emphasised that the book was a great scholarly intervention to the history and recommended it to scholars, students, policy makers and anyone interested in better understanding of the historical trajectories of Northern Nigeria.
The chief launcher of the book, Dr. Muhammad Mustapha Inuwa, as one of the prominent students of the late Prof Shea, had acknowledged the impact of BUK and Department of History in particular to his career development. That was part of the major reasons he gladly accepted to be chief of the book, even though there were other eminent associates of the late Shea in a better position to do it.
The Head of History Department, Dr. Muhammad Wada, in his goodwill message, eulogised the valuable contributions of the late Prof Shea to the development of the Department as one of its prominent members. He noted that it was a great honour to produce a book in honour of the late Shea. He revealed the plan of the Department to continue immortalising its prominent members that have greatly contributed in many ways.
Finally, the chief editor of the book, Prof. M. S. Abdulkadir thanked all the individuals and organisations that have contributed generously toward the production of the book and making the event very successful.
