By Philip Yatai

History Department, Kaduna State University will organise a national symposium in honour of late Professor Ibrahim James, says the Head of Department, Dr Terhemba Wuam.

Wuam made this known in Kaduna on Thursday, while giving a tribute to James, a Professor of History, who died on July 22 at the age of 77, following a brief illness.

He described James, who joined the department in 2012 and made immense contribution to scholarship and the world of learning as a ‘distinguished academic’.

He disclosed that the department had published a festschrift, the ultimate academic tribute to a professional colleague in James’ honour.

He explained that the symposium tagged, “The Professor Ibrahim James Symposium for History and International Studies” was earlier scheduled for July 23, 2019.

“But we had to put it on hold when he became ill and was hospitalized. The symposium will be reconvened at a suitable date.

“The deceased was a Russian trained historian, who studied his Masters and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in the defunct Union of Soviet Socialist Republics at the Moscow and Voronezh State Universities.

“He came to KASU with wealth of experience having worked in several universities such as the University of Maiduguri, University of Jos, Nigerian Defence Academy, University of Abuja, and Bingham University where he served as head of department, dean, director and Chairman of Council.

“James worked on numerous committees within and outside the university system. Including being a member of the National Constitutional Conference of 1994 to 1995 and become a professor in 1988,” Wuam said.

The HOD added that James, a refined and cultured man brought his wealth of experience to KASU and was generous with his knowledge, publications and time.

He added that the late professor designed the department’s Post Graduate programme and was the first Post Graduate Studies Coordinator.

He once told a post graduate student that “your thesis has all the substance, but it is a dwarf”. Three month later the student came to me with her work and ask: “Sir, is it still a dwarf.”

“I affirmed that it had indeed grown up. She had taken cognizance of Ibrahim’s incisive comments and the result was one we were all proud of.

“When the external examiner came, the dwarf, turned giant was awarded “A”, Wuam said.

Other lecturers took turn in giving tribute to the late erudite professor, including some of his students.

One of the students, Mohammed Adamu, described the death of the professor as an ‘unfortunate tragedy’ and a great loss to KASU, Kaduna State and the nation at large.

Adamu who was a post graduate student of the department said he was fortunate to be taught by Ibrahim, who he said always insist on quality scholarship based on actual fact.

Responding, the late professor’s son, Mr Mendos James, thanked the depart for honouring his father, whom he described as an ‘exceptional scholar and disciplinary and tough father’.

Late Prof. Ibrahim James was born on the 26^th February 1942 in Gidan Mana, Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State to Jeb James Anji and Tida Jeb.

James attended Junior Primary school Kurmin Musa from 1951 to 1954 and Senior Primary School Angwan Rimi (Kaje) from 1954 to 1957.

He proceeded to Teachers Training College Kagoro from 1958 to 1963 where he obtained Grade III and Grade II Teachers Certificate.

James taught at the Sudan Interior Mission Primary School, Kwoi before proceeding to the Advanced Teachers College Zaria in 1965 were he obtained the National Certificate of Education (NCE) in 1968.

He was awarded a scholarship to Moscow State University where he earned Masters of Arts degree in History in 1974.

He returned home and worked briefly with the Ministry of Education, Kaduna State before taking a job at the University of Maiduguri, Borno State as Lecturer II.

While at the University of Maiduguri, he proceeded to Voronezh State University, Russia in 1978 for a doctoral study and earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1981.

He moved to the University of Jos, Plateau State in 1985 and became a Professor of History in 1988.