USMAN ABDULSALAM MOHAMMED AL-THAQOFY: A REFERENCE POINT OF THE ARABISTS IN THE CONTEMPORARY MILIEU

Abstract

Nigeria stands out among African countries in the field of scholarship. Africa, a conglomerate of different languages, dialects, gained some of its scholarly buoyancy through the spread of the academic products and Arabs, thus becoming a centre point of world major languages. From time immemorial, Nigeria has produced several scholars in their different fields of specialization. In the field of arts and literature, Nigerians have been able to register their personalities through their academic prowess that have enriched the intellectual space. Ilorin, as a beacon of learning and culture in West Africa, stands out in field of Arabic and Islamic scholarship in Nigeria. It serves as a mild feeder between the Northern and Southern Nigeria. As described by Adebayo, the cognomen of Ilorin as a city with no masquerade and no local tradition except horse riding and use of arrow confirms the richness and influence of Islamic culture on the city. With no doubt, the influence of Islam on Arabic civilization in Yoruba land is unquantifiable. Badmas concludes that the city was blessed and filled with Islamic scholars from different tribes across the country right from the 19th and 20th century. From among these scholars in Usman Abdulsalam Mohammed Athaqofy whose personality this paper aims at discussing. This paper will survey the biography of this personality through the presentation of his background, birth, academic pursuits, scholarly works and teaching adventures. The paper will also present a piece of his work for analysis from which the personality served as a reference point in the field of Arabic language and literature in his location.