The Bayero University, Kano (BUK) community witnessed a poignant celebration of legacy and gratitude as the ‘FAIS Millennium Graduates Association’—alumni from the former Faculty of Arts and Islamic Studies (FAIS) classes of 2000—gathered to mark their 25th anniversary. The event, a silver jubilee reunion, was not merely a social gathering but a profound reflection on the foundational role of education and the enduring bonds forged within the university’s pioneering faculty.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that FAIS holds a unique place in BUK’s history. Established as the university’s first faculty, it was the cradle for disciplines that shaped Nigeria’s intellectual and cultural landscape, including Arabic, Islamic Studies, History, Mass Communications, Nigerian Languages, and English and European Languages. This reunion, therefore, celebrated more than a graduating class; it honored the genesis of an academic institution.
The multi-day event was a rich tapestry of commemoration, charity, and camaraderie. It commenced with solemn prayers for national peace, the prosperity of their alma mater, and deceased colleagues. Activities included a novelty football match to rekindle youthful bonds, a grand dinner and award night, and a significant humanitarian outreach involving the presentation of food items to bereaved families of members across their respective states. This blend of celebration and social responsibility underscored the alumni’s holistic view of success.
Malam Abdulkarim Ibrahim, the association’s Secretary-General, traced their shared journey back to the 1995/1996 and 1996/1997 academic sessions. “Today, we see good health, abundant blessings, and signs of fulfilled lives all around us. We are grateful to the Almighty Allah,” he stated, while somberly noting the loss of approximately 15 members, for whom the group maintains a “solemn obligation of prayers.”
The Chairman, Malam Muhammad Bashir Mai-Unguwa, extended this remembrance to departed teachers, offering prayers for divine mercy. He highlighted the direct link between their professional achievements and their lecturers’ dedication: “Records have shown that graduates of BUK were exhibiting professionalism and hard work in their chosen career as a result of their teachers’ commitment and guidance.” This sentiment frames the alumni’s success as a living testament to their educators’ impact.
Mustapha Mohammed, Chairman of the organizing committee and Chief Press Secretary to the Kano State Governor, thanked members for their financial contributions and travel from distant states, emphasizing the strength of their renewed brotherhood.
The emotional core of the evening was the award ceremony honoring distinguished lecturers. Responding on behalf of the awardees, Prof. Mustapha Ahmad-Isa (English Language) placed the event in a grander historical context, revealing it coincided with the university’s own 50th-anniversary celebrations. He expressed deep admiration for the alumni’s organization, particularly their dual focus on honoring living mentors and commemorating deceased peers—a gesture he noted as uncommon.
The awardees represented the pillars of the old FAIS: Prof. Mustapha Ahmad-Isa (English); Prof. Tahir Sayyid (Arabic); Prof. Ahmad Magaji and the late Prof. Muazu Sani-Zaria (Nigerian Languages); Prof. Abdurrahman Adam (Mass Communication); Prof. Dalha Waziri (History); and Prof. Ibrahim Maibushra (Islamic Studies).
Prof. Ibrahim Maibushra, in his remarks, charged the alumni with a lasting purpose beyond celebration: “Life is not about what you ate, what you wear, what you drive or where you sleep. It is about what benefits you brought to humanity.” He urged continued unity and mutual support, defining true excellence as bringing benefit to others.
In a vote of thanks, Mr. Adamu Mohammed-Azare, an Assistant Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, encapsulated the event’s spirit by advising sustained teamwork for collective progress and offering final prayers for the departed and the living. The celebration stood as a powerful example of how alumni networks can transcend nostalgia to become forces for gratitude, philanthropy, and continued personal growth, firmly rooted in the values instilled by their education.
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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
Source: NAN
