My Father's Photo Album

[Abu-Fatima]

My father was born in Gafai, Katsina. He grew up in Katsina before moving to Kano from where he joined the army. He was known as Ammani Kano or even as Mani Kano to his friends and colleagues in the army. He saw action in Burma during the Second World War. He retired from the army in 1963 and moved into civil life, choosing Unguwar Shanu in Kaduna as his place of residence. However, with the coming of the Nigerian Civil War in 1967, he was recalled back to arms, as most of his colleagues, to fight the war on the Federal front as an ex-NA personnels. He re-retired in 1978 and died 30 years later; on the 23rd of November 2008. He had been an amateur photographer, in addition to keeping a large collection of photograph. After his death, a lot of these photographs were left to waste for the simple reason that I and my younger ones see little use in continuing to keep them: we hadly know any of the persons in most of the pictures. Some of the photos are simply those of old friends and acquaintances of Baba in the 1950s and early 60s. However, there is one picture that made me have a change of mind. As Baba was literate, he usually wrote at the back of the pictures. On one such picture he wrote, on the 1st of January 1953, "A young man gave it to me and requested that I give it to the Amarya of (RSM) Ahmadu Dosso". I do not know why Baba was unable to deliver the photograph to the Amarya. 58 years later, now, I decided to use the fruits of the Internet to see if I can convey the photograph atleast to the heirs of Amaryar Ahmadu Dosso, wherever they may be. This informed the creation of this blog (www.aaammani.blogspot.com). In addition, some of the photographs may be of interest to students of sociology and anthropology. In this blog I intend to upload some of Baba's collection to share them with the world, perchance someone may find some of them useful for one purpose or the other.
I am not claiming any rights to the photos published on this blog. Some of them were taken by Baba himself. Some where given to Baba. Some, no doubts, where produced by commercial photographers of the period from whence Baba obtained his own copies. Baba also kept picture cuttings from old magazines, newspapers and other prints; I hope to publish same also much later if there is need. In such cases, the sources will be properly acknowledged. Readers' comments are welcome. May Allah have mercy on the soul of Baba, amin. 

[Dave_McEwan_Hill]

An interesting idea. I look forwared to seeing some of these photos

[bakangizo]

Great idea. I will check in to the blog.

[IBB]

Allah ya ji kanshi Ameen.

Beautiful idea. Can I suggest you look for a program called 'Promise'.

It might helps give you idea on how to contact this lady.

[Abu-Fatima]

Amin. Thank you. Please suggest a link to the program "promise" on the www.

[Muhsin]

Salam,

Allah ya jikansa, Abu-Fatima. You are a wonderful person. It just interests me how you want to fulfil what your father would have fulfilled if he was alive.

[Abu-Fatima]

Amin. Thank you.

[IBB]

Amin. Thank you. Please suggest a link to the program "promise" on the www.

Salam, sorry for replying late. here is the link is in Amazon

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Promise-DVD-Claire-Foy/dp/B004G5YVC8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1298556504&sr=8-1

[bakangizo]

Ka taimaka.

[Abdalla]

These photos are really wonderful. I think there should be an exhibition -- and only the major INGOs can help in this; perhpahs Alliance Francaise or British Council in Kaduna. In other parts of the world, these photos would be subject to a major book publishing deal because of the insight they provided on a bygone era. Allah Ya jikan sa da Rahama

Abdalla