ABUBAKAR III
Born in Sokoto, Nigeria, on 15 March 1903, Abubakar III became one of the most famous of all modern African religious leaders. By the time of his death on 1 November 1988, he had become the spiritual leader of an estimated 50 million Muslims in Nigeria and its neighbourhood. The most powerful Islamic figure in sub-Saharan Africa, Abubakar III was appointed scribe of the Denge district in 1929 and succeeded his uncle, Hassan, as sultan in 1938. During World War II he fought on the British side in Burma and was knighted for his services in 1954. Throughout his rule, he emphasized the importance of education, even for girls, and encouraged the older Muslim students to further their studies in Europe, although he tried to discourage them from abandoning their African heritage. A devout ascetic, Abubakar lll created a positive impression on all those with whom he came into contact and is perhaps best remembered for offering free private tuition in his own library to the poor children of his district. Such was the nobility of his character that he commanded the respect of Christians as well as Muslims and of Europeans as well as Africans.