Baba Amlai Poswal was born in Todi of Billiri Local Government. His quest for education began in the Vernacular Class known as “Balla” when he was taught by Mr. Harling (Pobe).

After learning how to read and write, he was selected to be among the first group of pupils of Billiri Elementary Teacher College, which was inaugurated in 1938. He graduated in 1941 before the school was moved to Kaltungo and renamed Kaltungo Teachers College.

He also attended the Teachers and Manager Course at Jos in 1956 and 1962 respectively to fully qualify as a teacher.

Baba Amlai began work in 1941 as a Teacher, and he was credited with the privilege of starting the first Primary School in his hometown Todi, in July 1941. He subsequently taught at the Tal Primary School from 1943 – 1945, Billiri Primary School from 1946 – 1953, and went all the way to teach at the ECWA/SIM Transferred School at Kano from 1953 – 1954.

He returned home after a stint at the above-mentioned places and taught at SIM Tula Primary School from 1954 –1955. He was appointed a visiting Teacher for all SIM Schools in Tangale land. The administrative knowledge he garnered in the course of the establishment of the school and at the same time managing them once again took him to faraway places like Kafanchan, Zonkwa, Kagoro, Kwoi, Kachia, and Kurmin Musa in Kaduna State for School inspection as an education expert.

Baba Amlai's involvement in other activities outside teaching was very inspiring and one wonders where he got such acumen to pursue such ventures.

It is on record that he was the first known Journalist in Tangale, while as a teacher, he doubled as a correspondent for the popular Gaskiya Ta Fi Kwabo Newspaper, a Hausa publication of the New Nigerian Newspapers.

He creditably represented the whole of the area with his contribution of juicy stories and incisive analysis of events from the North East. One of his reports landed him into trouble which led to his detention for 40 days in Tula Prison.

He wrote about why the premier of Northern Nigeria was not allowed to visit Tangale – Waja Area to see things for himself, especially on the resettlement scheme of Billiri Town to a place where water was not easily found.

The Colonial Masters were not happy with the report and so sentenced him to a 40-day imprisonment. However, the prison did not deter him from journalism practice but rather refined him as an activist with a cause.

In recognition of his contribution to the upliftment of education, the Sudan Interior Mission (SIM) gave him an award known as “CITANO FOR HONOURABLE MENTCON” (an achiever award).

Baba Amlai's love for sport saw him introduce sporting activities in most schools he taught. He also introduced sporting competitions and presented trophies for competitions among schools.

His sterling Leadership qualities got him appointed to many Boards and Committees, among them, Member of Tangale-Waja Local Government Council from 1966 – 1972; Member of the Finance Revenue Committee North Eastern State; Member of the Board of Governors, Kaltungo Teachers College and Billiri Secondary School; Member of Board of Governors Kaltungo General Hospitals.

Then all the institutions were under the control of the Member Board of Governors Kaltungo General Hospital. Then all the institutions were under the control of Missionaries.

His love for God was openly displayed asserting the slogan of the founding fathers of Northern Nigeria, which is “Work and Worship”. He was an active member of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) and served in various capacities in the Tangale District Church Council (DCC) to the point of representing the DCC as an Elder at the GCC Headquarters in Jos.

He is among the first people to be baptized in Tangale Land. He first married Miss… in 19….. and five years later he lost his wife before remarrying Miss Latakalma Akawu in 1946.

The marriage was blessed with eight (8) children who excel in their various chosen professions.

Baba Malam Amlai died on 7th December 1999 at the age of 89, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, dedication, and commitment to duty and all that is noble.