By Musa_Tanimu_Nasidi
The late Sheikh Shuiabu Abubakar Kenchi,was born in Lokoja in 1902, young Kenchi started his education at tender age in Lokoja.
The late Magajin Gari of Lokoja educational and public service life are readily available in the public domain, the Feature is not intended to delve into what has become public knowledge about the life of this educationist,Teacher and traditional title holder, but to briefly look into his selfless service including his service with the Judiciary in then Northern Region,and Kwara state, where he had his last public service assignment in 1971.
Kenchi’s early life was not like any pampered Northern Prince of his days you may think, according to the Islamic Claric, it was with a mix of strict discipline because his father, being an educated man himself appreciated the importance of education for his children and therefore resisted the tendency to allow his children to be pampered,the islamic Claric stated this in an interview in he granted in 1987.
He explained :”my father gave me all that a son might require commensurate with the time, but also strictly ensured i went to school in spite of the resentment for western education at that time,”he saiid.
Late Kenchi attended both Qur’anic and Arabic education from different Islamic scholars.
From 1920- 1926, Kenchi attended Christ Methodist School( CMS), Lokoja, now Bishop Crowther, Local Education Authority (LGEA),Lokoja.
In his quest for Education, Sheikh proceeded to School For Arabic studies (SAS) Kano where he spent three Studies( 1950-55.Institute of Administration and Legal Studies, Zaria; 1960-62.
An experienced teacher,Abubakar Kenchi took teaching appointed with the Northern Regional Government,where he taught Arabic and Islamic Studies.
Between 1935- 1940, he was offered appointment by Lokoja Native Authority (N.A),as Market Overseer,the position he held until he was upgraded to the position of Tax Scribe(Secretary) in 1950.
In 1954, Sheikh was employed by Nigeria Police College,Kaduna as an instructor/ Teacher in Islamic Law where he taugt for four years(1960).
In 1960,Sheikh was offered an appointment by the then Kwara State Government,as President,Kwara Divisional Criminal Court,Lokoja,where he served in that capacity, until 1966.
Kenchi was appointed Alkali Wake/ Judge Kaduna,1966- 67, President, Mixed Court,Kaduna,1967-68
Acting Alkali /Judge,Upper Area Court, Kwara State,1969-71.
Sheikh Abubakar Kenchi retired,but not tired in 1971,as Judge/ Khadi of Upper Area Court,Lokoja.
As mentioned earlier, Late Sheikh Shuiabu Abubakar Kenchi was not tired,the late Islamic Cleric devoted his life in service to Islam and humanity.
Sheikh Kenchi was a founding member of Jama’atul Nasril Islam,Fitiyanul Islam,Islamic Missionary Association of Nigeria, and Failat Tijjaniyat El-Ibrahimiya.
Secretary, Kogi Local Government land Allocation Committee, he served in various Committees,such as Islamic arbitration committee, Chairman, police public Relation Committee (PPRC),Co- founder,Ansarul Islam Arabic/Primary School, Lokoja.
A traditional titleholder of Magajin Gari,a title which made him one of the kingmakers.
In 1992 he participated in the appointment of new Maigari of Lokoja, Alhaji Muhammadu Kabir Maikarfi 11 after the demised of his father.
Sheikh Abubakar Shuiabu Kenchi, was among the early crops of Muqqaddams of Tijjaniya Ibrahimiya after the emegence of sheikh Ibrahim Nyass in 1949, an eminent Scholar, the Ndeji of Amana Kakanda Muye
(1980-1995), Magajin Garin Lakwaja- (1986-1995).
Sheikh Abubakar Kench answered the call of His Creator on Friday 29th December 1995(9th Shaaban ,1415AH).
He was recently awarded posthumously for his meritorious service to Islam and Humanity by Kogi State Muslim Organization Abubaka. He was a father to many,a Teacher, Legal Luminary,Preacher ,farmer,Community and Spiritual leader.
Late Sheikh Abubakar Kenchi’s private life revolved around his family.He loved children,Orphans,and the less privilege .He invested so much in educational pursuit, where he tried to give them the best he could.
He was survived by many children among who is Khalifah Ibrahim Kenchi, the current Magajin Gari Of Lokoja.
