FUBK HOSTS 1ST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF LITERARY SCHOLARS ASSOCIATION, AS VC HARPS ON EXPLORING LITERATURE FOR DYNAMIC FUTURE

The Vice Chancellor of Federal University Birnin Kebbi, Prof. Muhammad Zaiyan Umar has urged Nigerians to explore opportunities abound in literature and literary works to propel dynamic future. The VC stated this while declaring open a maiden International Conference of Literary Scholars Association (LSA) held on Tuesday October 29, 2024 at SLH2 Lecture Theatre at the University Main Campus.

The tittle of the keynote paper was: “A the past hunts the future: literature, popular culture and the cultural logic of digital humanities,’ with Prof. Abubakar Aliyu Liman of the Department of English and Literary Studies and Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria as Keynote Speaker.

The VC said the international conference aimed at tapping opportunities from literature in the country, while reiterating his commitment to promoting academic ideals. He emphasized that the conference, which was the  first of its kind, is a pointer that we will be ableto achieve more if we want to succeed, assuring that he will never turn down any effort from the academic staffers that will put the university on the map of progress.

Delivering his keynote paper, Prof. Abubakar Aliyu Liman who doubles as the Pro Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council of Zamfara State University, Talata Mafara, opined that written narratives were transposed or adapted through the cinematic medium. He said the growing culture industry promises to be a goldmine for the teeming unemployed graduates of English and Literary Studies, adding that world is eagerly waiting for our intervention, by tell our own stories through the most popular media of the day, the digital media.

According to him, teachers need to reflect over the profound technological changes that are taking place, not only here in Nigeria but all over the world. “In particular, we need to investigate literary and cultural renaissance and the robust experiments with culture happening in Nigeria via ubiquitoustechnological mediatisation and mediation. “For students, researchers and scholars, to borrow Marx insights above, we need to creatively and innovatively define the ways in which we can turn the challenges faced by disciplines in the humanities into opportunities for wealth creation and the very survival of our professional callings as well,” he stressed.

Earlier, the Convener and Dean of the Faculty of Arts FUBK, Prof. Asabe Kabir-Usman, said the association was open to scholars, teachers and students of literature, as well as film producers of literature from across the country. The overall motivation, she said, was the development of scholarship and knowledge of literature, as well as individuals who subscribed to the goals of the association.

Prof. Asabe highlighted that the conference was timely and relevant to national and global literary trends as they affect our various societies, noting that theme is futuristic and projective, focusing on the various paradigm shifts in the literary world. She expressed optimism that various scholarly papers emerged from conference would generate not just critical discourse but suggestive commendations that could propel a dynamic future for world literature. The lead papers were presented virtually. The first lead paper titled “African Literature and New Form Literary Act,” presented by Dr. Saeedat Aliyu, from Department of English and Literary Studies, Kwara State University, Malete. While Dr. Jonas Akung of the Department of English and Literary Studies, University of Calabar delivered the second lead paper titled “Migration in the Annual of Human History.”

FUBK Bulletin reports that the Conference was chaired by the Dean of Arts, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Prof. Shehu Sidi Ibrahim and goodwill messages were delivered by the Special Guest and the Pro Chancellor of Kebbi State university of science and Technology, Aliero, Dr. Haliru Bala Jikan Daudu; Wazirin Gwandu who was the Royal Father of the Day and represented by former Head of Kebbi State Civil Service, Alh. Abubakar Udu Idris, mni (Dallatun Gwandu) and Deputy Rector, Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi, Isyaku Abdullahi.

The LOC Chair and Head of European Language Department at FUBK, Dr. Aliyu Umar, thanked the University Management for hosting the event. He also acknowledged the support received from various sponsors of the event as well as members of LOC for their commitment and wished everyone journey mercies back home.