PROFESSOR IDRIS O.O. AMALIis a professor of oral literature in the Department of English, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria. He is a well known name in the global academic literary circle. Born on th the 6 of June 1953, this academic icon is selfless in assisting people, particularly younger ones, through counselling and exhibition of high moral standards with deep sense of humility.
A recipient of many academic and social awards, Prof. Amali is loyal, simple, friendly, straightforward and people oriented. These qualities and many more easily endear him to the hearts of the people he comes in contact with. He does not only avail himself to the services of the University of Maiduguri but also to his host community, the people of Yerwa (Maiduguri- the historically rich Kanem-Borno). This is why this indigene of Otukpo of Idoma extraction is highly recognized by the Kanuri people as one of them, more so because of his social disposition, love for all and unassuming posture. To be sure, he is strictly and exceptionally guided by the motto of his employer (UNIMAID) which says Ilmu-a tunoto-a, meaning “be knowledgeable and be guided by it”. This propels Prof. Amali to serve the University of Maiduguri in different strategic positions.
He was Head of Department of English, Director of Division of General Studies, Dean, Faculty of Arts and now serves as the Director of Academic Planning. Professor Idris Amali, an erstwhile National Assistant Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), has served in over 50 different committees set up by the Federal and State governments of Nigeria, the National University Commission, University of Maiduguri, Associations and Cultural Organisations in various capacities.
Due to his exceptionally balanced approaches to issues and gift of oratory, his contributions are often attached much importance in arriving at critical decisions in most gatherings and meetings where they are offered, which is why he commands sincere respect even among his contemporaries. This former and first President of the Students' Union Government of the University of Jos is a committed unionist and a critical member of ASUU. He currently serves as the National Vice-president of Directors of Academic Planning of Nigerian Universities. Professor Amali is a renowned scholar of Oral Poetry and Proverbial Studies who has also been in the vanguard of celebrating academic and university administrative icons through festschrifts: Profs Aliyu Muhammed, S.O.O Amali, both former vice chancellors, and Prof Emeritus C.M.B. Brann. An author of many books, Amali is the author of the popular poetry collection, Generals without War.
He has also produced good number of graduates, scholars and professors through his academic roles as an external examiner for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and external assessor in many Nigerian Universities. It is in view of all the aforementioned achievements that it has become imperative for us and indeed every fair minded person to celebrate Professor th Idris O.O. Amali as he turns 60 on 6 June, 2013, with a Festschrift to honour his intellection, scholarship and service to humanity. Scholarly contributions are therefore welcome from all interested scholars and researchers for the proposed festschrift.
The editors welcome essays which are on but not limited to the following topics and areas of research:
- Tributes and Reminiscence on Professor Idris O. O. Amali.
- Oral Tradition and Modern African Literature in the 21st Century.
- Revisiting Extinct African Indigenous Theatre Forms and Groups
- Literature and Security Challenges in the 21st Century
- Children's Literature.
- Children's Game as Instrument of Child Education.
- Studies of African Ethnic Proverbs.
- African Ethnic Migration and Oral Narratives.
- African Ethnic Dance and Meaning.
- Educational System and the Falling Standard of Education in Nigeria.
- African Performance Aesthetics and Theatre Technology.
- Democratic Values in Nigerian Prose, Drama, Poetry.
- Women Suppression in African Literature.
- Current Feminist Trend in African Literature.
- History, Creative Arts and Mass Communication.
- Literature, Languages and Linguistics.
Contributors are to send their papers as MS WORD Attachment to: ododotech@yahoo.com; obadaraalamu@gmai l.com, muhammadfannami@yahoo.com and ejahsule@yahoo.com, on or before 21st October, 2012.
Expected Date of Publication: June, 2013 to mark the Sixtieth birthday of the Honouree.
GUIDELINES
- Completed articles with an abstract should not exceed 25 pages (including references and appendices).
- Modern Languages Association (MLA) 6th edition referencing style is to be used.
- All notes/references to be collected at the end of the paper.
- Articles should be typed in 12 point font size, double line spacing on A4 size paper using New Times Roman font.
- State the name(s) of author(s), institutional affiliation(s), postal and email addresses and phone number(s).
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For queries/ submissions: ododotech@yahoo.com; obadaraalamu@gmai l.com, muhammadfannami@yahoo.com and ejahsule@yahoo.com
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