Mamman Jiya Vatsa
Encyclopedia
Mamman Jiya Vatsa was a Nigerian soldier and writer. He was a Major-General in the Nigerian army, Minister of the Federal Capital Abuja
, and a member of the Supreme Military Council
. He was executed by the Nigerian Government of Major General Ibrahim Babangida
on March 5 1986 following accusations of his involvement in an abortive coup.
Mamman Vatsa was also an accomplished poet and writer, publishing eight poetry collections for adults and eleven for children, with titles such as Back Again at Wargate (1982), Reach for the Skies (1984) and Verses for Nigerian State Capitals (1973). His books are about ordinary people's lives and simple creatures including the Pidgin
collection Tori for geti bow leg (1981), his cultural picture book in Hausa, Bikin Suna, and a charming picture storybook, Stinger the Scorpion (1979). He was a facilitator and patron of the arts in Nigeria where he organized writing workshops for his fellow soldiers and their children and got their works published. He helped the Children's Literature Association of Nigeria with funds, built a Writers' Village for the Association of Nigerian Authors
, and hosted their annual conferences.
Abuja
Abuja is the capital city of Nigeria. It is located in the centre of Nigeria, within the Federal Capital Territory . Abuja is a planned city, and was built mainly in the 1980s. It officially became Nigeria's capital on 12 December 1991, replacing Lagos...
, and a member of the Supreme Military Council
Supreme Military Council
Supreme Military Council may refer to:* Supreme Military Council * Supreme Council of the Armed Forces * Supreme Military Council * Supreme Military Council * Supreme Military Council...
. He was executed by the Nigerian Government of Major General Ibrahim Babangida
Ibrahim Babangida
General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida CFR DSS mni , popularly known as IBB, was a Nigerian Army officer and military ruler of Nigeria...
on March 5 1986 following accusations of his involvement in an abortive coup.
Mamman Vatsa was also an accomplished poet and writer, publishing eight poetry collections for adults and eleven for children, with titles such as Back Again at Wargate (1982), Reach for the Skies (1984) and Verses for Nigerian State Capitals (1973). His books are about ordinary people's lives and simple creatures including the Pidgin
Pidgin
A pidgin , or pidgin language, is a simplified language that develops as a means of communication between two or more groups that do not have a language in common. It is most commonly employed in situations such as trade, or where both groups speak languages different from the language of the...
collection Tori for geti bow leg (1981), his cultural picture book in Hausa, Bikin Suna, and a charming picture storybook, Stinger the Scorpion (1979). He was a facilitator and patron of the arts in Nigeria where he organized writing workshops for his fellow soldiers and their children and got their works published. He helped the Children's Literature Association of Nigeria with funds, built a Writers' Village for the Association of Nigerian Authors
Association of Nigerian Authors
The Association of Nigerian Authors represents Nigerian creative writers at home and abroad. It was founded in 1981 with the novelist Chinua Achebe as President. The current President is Hon Wale Okediran...
, and hosted their annual conferences.