Dr. Abdullahi Ismaila Ahmad is the Director of the Communications and Liaison Department, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), headquartered in Abuja. An indigene of Niger State, he once lectured at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, in the Department of English and Literary Studies – where he did his B.A, M.A and PhD in Literature. He spoke with TIME TESTED INFO’s Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, Lanre Inspirati-OYETADE, in his Abuja office. The interview is presented here for your reading delight.
When did you graduate?
For my PhD I did my external defence in April 2021; that’s about four years ago. That signalled my graduation.
What has been your work experience after your studies?
I worked briefly as an information officer in the Niger State Ministry of Information. Thereafter, I moved to the Niger State College of Education, Minna. I was also a member of the Project Implementation Committee of Project YES, a Youth Empowerment Scheme of the former First Lady of Niger State, Distinguished Senator Zainab A Kure From the Niger State College of Education, I moved to IBB University Lapai, where I started my PhD. programme in Literature. which took me so long because of the work-study status. Later, I moved to A.B.U Zaria, barely two to three years before I got this job of Director Communications at the F.I.R.S.
How about your family?
I’ve been married since the year 2000, and presently with five kids. It has been exciting, but all thanks to God.
In my few visits to the United States, I used to ask Nigerians there if it is best to live and work in Nigeria or to ‘japa’? Have you ever thought of travelling to study and/or work abroad?
No. Before my Ph.D., I was discouraged to travel to Malaysia or Canada for studies by Professor Tanimu Abubakar. I believe in contributing to the good and growth of my country. We should form what I call a unified perception toward our dear country without the divisive discourses or narratives that have shaped the way relate to one another in this country. It is unfortunate that our media houses encourage this divisive narrative. This kind of narrative is having a negative impact on our younger generation. I believe that we can get it right if we live as role models. Shortly before I left for Zaria, I interviewed a State Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who said in the interview were being weaned on corruption narratives. So, we need to moderate national narratives for the good of our upcoming generations.
How long did you spend for your PhD?
I think it took me six years because I combined it with work and hustle. I did not do coursework. It was research based. My relocation, logistics, and finance affected me. Sometimes, I ran out of funds, which made me incapable of working progressively. However, when I finally moved to Zaria, I became close to my supervisor, and it sped up my work.
Which of your children do you see following your footsteps?
Literature is Arts; and one of my children is studying Arts in Secondary School just like I studied in the University. I allowed them to make their choices of the career path they wanted.
Are they studying abroad?
No; they are studying in Nigeria.
Is it the financial implication that made them study here?
I discouraged one of them that intended to study in Turkey. He actually got a partial scholarship, which means I was expected to co-fund his study. I discouraged him mainly due to sustainability issues because I don’t know where I would be getting the dollars. Rather, I encouraged him to continue here in Nigeria.
Do you still have children in nursery school?
Yes.
What is your philosophy about life? What core values drive you?
Hard work and believing in God for reward. When you work hard, whatever you are; once you believe in God, your destiny must locate you. I play my role and leave the rest to God.
Do you believe in impossibilities?
No. For me, with God, everything is possible.
What, in your view, is man’s greatest endeavour and innovation; is it the Internet or space travel or something else?
The Internet is quite amazing. It connects people all over the world. It’s top-notch and helps man conquer space and time.
Can it really conquer space and time?
Yes. With lots of gadgets and phones, people connect themselves. Even long notes and short messages can be disseminated from any part of the world. Earlier today, a friend of mine – Prof. Nduka Otiono- chatted me on WhatsApp from Canada. What a great opportunity and innovation!
In a book by Prof Areoye Oyebola, ‘The black man’s dilemma’, which I picked from my father’s library many years ago, the professor revealed how civilization started in Egypt and other African countries and regions. Yet, the black man basically falls behind the white man in many respects now. What in your view is responsible for this?
Creatively, I wrote two short stories titled, “The Frontier Island” and “Backwood’s Men”. The former is a story about backwardness. It describes the current retrogressive nature of Africans. The main character takes a psychological journey to an island for research where he perceives the people and things moving backward, but to the people, when he interviewed them, they seem oblivious of their condition. To them, the mere act of moving backward is normal, is itself progressive. This is akin to what is happening in Africa presently. It’s amazing how one commits everything into building a house but destroys it by himself. This non-committal act is baffling, to say the least.
Are you thinking of returning to the classroom anytime in the future?
Everything is in the hands of God. He will determine what I will next after I leave here. Lecturing is strenuous, if you ask me. When I was in the College of Education, C.O.E, I used to mark numerous students’ scripts. The same as some of my colleagues. Sometimes, one or two of my colleagues would even slump and die as a result of the work pressure. It’s sad that lecturers are not treated with dignity in this country.
Are your parents alive?
No; my father died in August 1976.
At what age did he pass on, and how old were you, then?
I don’t know the age my father died, but it was before I started my primary school; I think I was about nine or thereabout then. I was enrolled by my one of my cousins’ brothers when my father was bedridden in the hospital. He came home one day and saw me. He asked why I was not in school, and I told him that I was not enrolled. He asked whether I wanted to go to school, and I answered yes. He got someone to take me to the Central Primary School, Lapai.
What about your mom?
I lost my mother on the 25th of February 2018.
Who sponsored your education, then, your mom or a relative?
Tragically, my parents separated, and she re-married. I lived with my uncle. My father was a Sharia Court Judge with property investment entrusted to his driver’s. My father’s driver helped to collect rent from the property of our father. I used some of this money and later part of my share of the small amount he left. At some point when I was to register for my WAEC examination, it became difficult to raise the fees, which was N60 then. However, just a few days to the deadline, God intervened, and I was able to register. During my university education, I got employed through my sister’s husband. So, I used the salary which N180.00 at first, then N250.00 later to pay my school fees. I learnt some carpentry work like making cushion beds and chairs from one of our tenants to assist my feeding and clothing before I got the job. Hard work per se is the key. During the June 12 crisis, I joined and contributed articles to the Newsline Newspapers, Minna, in Niger State – a government owned newspaper. Of course, at some point, I got help from one of my elder brothers and my sister’s husband too. Close to my graduation, I wrote and launched a poetry book entitled, Scourge of Earthworms, which helped to fund my project writing and other necessities. All along, I had been working tirelessly, following up, and knowing that I had skills and ability to write. During my National Youth Service Corps (N.Y.S.C) in Abia State, I joined the editors of the then wife of the Military Administrator- Moses Fasanya – contributing to a Magazine known as “Family Support”. I wrote a book on Public Speaking for the speech writer to the Military Administrator”s wife, his name is Wale, and got paid, which helped to keep up with the demands of life.
Finally, knowing that the glory of men is in their stories, we advise young men to work hard and depend on God.