By Musa Tanimu Nasidi
“Sheikh Abubakar Shuiabu Kenchi,was the first to organise the celebration of the Maulud of Sheikh Ahmadu Tijjani,the founder of Tijjaniya Order,in Lokoja ( and in fact in the whole North Central) The celebration which started in 1973 late came to attract people from various part of Northern Nigeria,such as; Bida ,Minna and even Kano among many”
Sheikh Shuiabu Abubakar Kenchi,was born in Lokoja in 1902, the young Kenchi started his education at tender age in Lokoja.
The Magajin Garin Lakwaja,as he was popularly called, educational and public service life are readily available in the public domain so this tribute is not intended to delve into what has become public knowledge about the life of late Sheikh Shuiabu Abubakar Kenchi, 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 of but in his case,according to him, 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,source ;an interview he granted in 1987).
”my father gave me all that a son might require commensurate with the time, but also strictly ensured i went to school inspite of the resentment for western education at that time,”he said.
Late Sheikh Abubakar Kenchi attended both Qur’anic and Arabic education from different Islamic scholars.
From 1920- 1926,Young Kenchi attended Christ Methodist School( CMS), Lokoja, now Bishop Crowther, Local Govt Education Authority (LGEA),Lokoja.
In his quest for Education, Sheikh proceeded to School For Arabic Studies(SAS),Kano where he spent three years: 1950-53.
Institute of Administration and Legal Studies, Zaria; 1960-62.
An experienced teacher, 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 secretary 1950.
Four years later (1954),Sheikh was employed by Nigeria Police College, Kaduna as an instructor/ Teacher in Islamic Law where he teach for four years(1960).
After Nigeria gained her independent in 1960, Sheikh was offered an appointment by the then Kwara State Government,as President,Kwara Divisional Criminal Court,Lokoja he served in that capacity, until 1966.
1966-67 he was appointed
Alkalin Waje/ Judge,Kaduna,
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;Islamic arbitration committee, Chairman, police public Relation Committee (PPRC),Co- founder,Ansarul Islam Arabic/Primary School, Lokoja.
A traditional titleholder of Magajin Garin Lakwaja,a title which made him one of the kingmakers, the assignment which in 1992,the Magajin Garin participated in the nomination of the late Maigari of Lokoja, Alhaji Dr Muhammadu Kabiru Maikarfi Na Uku, after the demised of His father in 1992.
Sheikh Abubakar Shuiabu Kenchi,was the first to organise the celebration of the Maulud of Sheikh Ahmadu Tijjani,the founder of Tijjaniya Order,in Lokoja ( and in fact in the whole North Central) The celebration which started in 1973 late came to attract people from various part of Northern Nigeria,such as; Bida ,Minna and even Kano among many
Sheikh Abubakar Shuiabu Kenchi, an eminent Scholar, the Ndeji of Amana Kakanda Muye (1980-1995),Magajin Garin Lakwaja (1986-1995),answered the call of His Creator on Friday 29th December 1995(9th Shaaban ,1415AH).
He was posthumously awarded for his meritorious service to Islam and Humanity by Kogi State Muslim Organisation.
The late Islamic cleric 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.
Musa Tanimu Nasidi, writes from Lakwaja, Kogi state
