LNE INTERVIEW: PEOPLE WHO DO NOT READ TEND TO BE IGNORANT OF EVERYTHING- PROF. ABDALLA UBA ADAMU

This time, the blog: 'Learning Never Ends (LNE)' has a big guest in person of Prof. Abdalla Uba Adamu. Prof. holds double professorships in Science Education in 1997 and Media and Cultural Communication in 2012 at a time (and still) when the later is not popular among African scholars, from Bayero University Kano, Nigeria. He attended 32 academic conferences across the glove and wrote 85 academic research papers. At BUK, to be a Professor, a PhD holder is required to write 15 academic research papers to qualify. Professor Adamu is a visiting Professor in many universities in the world. He is currently the Vice Chancellor (VC) of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). He invented a computer software that provided the six Hausa hooked characters: (Ɗ, ƙ, ɗ, ɓ, Ƙ, and Ɓ) as font sets to facilitate Hausa word processing in 1996. Beside being an academic, he produced a film entitled: 'Equestrian Elegance' reviewed by Carmen McCain which is downloadable free of charge on Youtube.

In this exclusive interview with Bello Sagir, the scholar unveiled many things, for instance, when, where and how does reading culture start. The book that is dangerous to be read. The book that is a must read by all human beings. The recommended pages to be read daily. The childhood book he returns to again and again. What makes him buy a book at the bookshop. The book he did not finish and his advice to the blogger. Also in the interview, the dual Prof. made comparism between the reading culture in developed countries and in Africa and how it can be used to restore peace and political normalcy in the continent, and what not.

Enjoy:

LNE: What's reading culture?

PROF: The desire to read any literature being motivated by yearning to learn. Reading because you have to pass examinations cannot be properly 'reading culture' because often the reading stops after the examinations have been completed. For proper reading culture, one needs to constantly engage in literary materials in any form, deriving pleasure from such activity.

LNE: When, where and how does it start?

PROF: Home is the best starting point, with parents. When a child grows up in a home full of books and sees his own parents reading, he will also want to read. Religious texts like the Holy Qur'an and the Hadith are all available everywhere. Reading them is the starting point for inculcation of reading culture.

LNE: What are the types of reading?

PROF: Reading is reading, so there is no categorization in the process. However, there are different types of reading materials and motives for reading. Perhaps the dominant reading category for many people is one geared towards passing set examinations. This will be in the form of textbooks and other technical journals. Religious texts such as the Qur'an and the Bible also provide a category of reading materials which are read for spiritual fulfillment. Then there are secular materials, such as magazines, newspapers, fiction, which are read for pleasure and learning.

LNE: What are the impediments to reading?

PROF: If the culture of reading has not been established early enough in a person, this would constitute a primary impediment. Secondly, lack of the materials to read can also constitute a problem. But I said, almost every home has a religious text in the form of the Qur'an or the Bible, and therefore there are reading materials at home. In this era of Smartphones and cheap data availability in Nigeria, most people have access to a massive variety of reading materials through the Internet. The issue, therefore, of impediment is no longer physical, but psychological.

LNE: What are the advantages of reading?

PROF: It provides incidental education - that is education not specifically aimed at achieving a particular target. It makes a person more objective, for they are aware of the world and how different and similar it is to their own perceptions of life. It therefore makes a person more tolerant of other people's opinions and perspectives. It instills respect; for the lack of respect is often fueled by ignorance of other people, which is caused by inability to read about the other people.

LNE: What of diasvantages, if any?

PROF: Ignorance, for one. People who don't read tend to be ignorant of everything. Even religion; for religious ignorance is caused by inability to read religious texts and know what the religion actually enjoins you to do. Lack of perspective on the world is another disadvantage, because a person who does not read will not appreciate other cultures since they won't know much about them - only what they are told.

LNE: Is there a book that is dangerouse to be read? If yes, which is it?

PROF: It is not the book that is dangerous. It is the reader.

LNE: Is there a book that is a must read by all human beings? If yes, which is it?

PROF: Every book is important to all human beings, for it summarizes human knowledge. I would put the Holy Qur'an and the Holy Bible as the primary most important books to be read by humanity, for these are the sum total of human experience and existence.

LNE: How is reading culture in other parts of the world?

PROF: Literature cultures that promote publishing and freedom of expression

LNE: How is the reading culture in comparism to that of Africa?

PROF: It is better and more developed in other parts of the world than Africa because the opportunities for literacy in these other communities are higher.

LNE: What role does poor reading culture plays in making Africa lags behind and how can it be used to restore peace and political normalcy in the continent?

PROF: Encourage more reading among younger elements

LNE: Sir Abubakar Tabawa Balewa, being a full time politician by then, was reported to have read the whole collections in a certain public library, how's reading culture among Nigerian contemporary politicians?

PROF: I don't know. You have to ask them yourself since I can't speak for them or on their behalf.

LNE: Some Nigerians attribute their poor or no reading culture to lack of time, does the assertion hold water?

PROF: I am not sure where they get their information, so I can't speak for them.

LNE: How's reading culture among Nigerian youths?

PROF: This has to be measured empirically in a research

LNE: What are the recommended pages to be read daily?

PROF: The Holy Qur'an and the Holy Bible.

LNE: How can you describe the loss a non-reading cultured person make?

PROF: Breeds ignorance

LNE: What are the steps for inculcating reading culture?

PROF: Encourage people to read from youth.

LNE: If we imagine that reading never existed, how could life have being?

PROF: Reading always existed. Long before books and paper, people were reading signs to understand nature.

LNE: What are the ways to revive reading culture?

PROF: Encourage more reading among youth through reading clubs

LNE: How can you describe your passion for reading/books?

PROF: Great

LNE: What childhood book do you return to again and again?

PROF: Treasure Island

LNE: What is the last book you read?

PROF: No Man's Land by David Baldacci

LNE: What are you currently reading?

PROF: Night School by Lee Child

LNE: Who is the most effective author that influenced you to became who you are?

PROF: Ayn Rand, author of The Fountainhead

LNE: What makes you buy a book at the bookshop?

PROF: The author and the title

LNE: What was the last book you bought?

PROF: Night School by Lee Child

LNE: What book did you not finish?

PROF: The Lord of the Rings by J.R. Tolkien

LNE: What are your favourite books?

PROF: All the novels of Robert Ludlum, Lee Child, Ayn Rand.

LNE: Two bonus books after the above?

PROF: None

LNE: What time of the day do you prefer for reading?

PROF: Before lights out

LNE: What is the book that makes you a writer?

PROF: I am a researcher, not fiction writer, so there is no specific book that ignited the process.

LNE: What is your comment about the blog: 'Learning Never Ends' which is on www.bellosagir.blogspot.com?'

PROF: Never even heard about it.

LNE: What's your advice to the blogger?

PROF: Keep it up.

LNE: What's your advice to other reading public about the blog?

PROF: Patronize.

Thank you very much for squeezing in this interview, sir.

(C) Learning Never Ends, 2016.

INAUGURAL SPEECH OF BELLO SAGIR, THE PRESIDENT OF 2016/17 LINGUISTIC STUDENT ASSOCIATION (LINSA), BAYERO UNIVERSITY KANO (BUK) CHAPTER

We thank the Almighty God for preserving our lives to witness this historic great day. Distinguish ladies and gentlemen, I wish to recognize the presence of the Head of Department (H.O.D), Linguistics and Foreign Languages Prof. Mukhtar Yusuf, Professors, Examination Officer Dr. Tijjani Shehu Almajir, Drs., Level Coordinators, academic and non-academic staff, securities, Student Union Government (SUG) President and his entourage, celebrants, their family and friends, outgoing and incoming Linguistic Student Association (LINSA) Excos, my colleagues of all levels, not forgetting my comrades in struggle, bon soir.

Today, the 29th of October, 2016 witnesses the inauguration of a new administration brought with the mandate of you the students of the Department, making me the third President of LINSA, not because I'm better then any of you, but because Almighty God wants to test me! May the test be easy and passable to me. The campaign and the uncertainties are now history. At this juncture I chant Gbosa! Gbosa! Gbosa! to all my direct and indirect campaign agents. If not for your comradeship, perhaps, my aluta fate would have been otherwise at this moment. Likewise, I chant another vibrant Gbosa! Gbosa! Gbosa! to you Auwal Ibrahim (Small) who is sitting right now facing me. It's still vivid in my minds eyes, how you, as my key opponent, volunteered and stepped down for me, solely in the spirit of Linguistic oneness. This is a rare political statesmanship.

I, Bello Sagir, standing before you to make some pledges and to solicit for your boundless support and constant prayers as we are all set to sail the ship to the Promised Land, aimed at making positive academic and social impact on the lives of you, the students.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the priority of our administration is establishing tutorial classes for all levels. We will organize tutorial on all the Linguistic and French course for all classes. We will make use of the students with good CGPA who are capable and interested to sacrifice and do the job. We will go the extra mile to run a purposeful and students oriented leadership as we promised during our campaign, within the limited one year span of our tenure. To achieve that, we will provide suggestion box in the Department to collect your short positive inputs which will bridge any possible gap between you and we the Executives. We will also provide you with all the mobiles numbers of the Executives for quick positive input.

Due to some lacuna and other shortcomings in the constitution of the Association, we will set up a committee that will tackle that problem. To conform to the other chapters of National Association of Linguistics and Languages Students (NALLS) in the universities across the country, and the parent Association headquartered in University of Nsuka, Enugu, we intend to change the name of LINSA to NALLS. We will liaise with the Department, faculty and the University authority to achieve our aims of taking you, the students of the Department to greater height. More so, we will liaise with national body of NALLS, SUG, Faculty of Art and Islamic Studies Students Association (FAISSA) and any other relevant helpful association to take you to the next level.

Today, by virtue of our inauguration, we will continue the aluta journey initiated by our predecessors four years or so ago. We must commend their unflagging efforts. May God reward them in abundance.

I, Bello Sagir, wish to declare that, 'I'm concerned about your concern as a concerned Comrade.' We will carry all of you along, in discharging our duties. Our government is a government of the students, by the students and for the students. The entire students of Linguistics and Foreign Languages Department are one, yes we are one, belonging to one family. The herculean task before us is a collective responsibility that we the Executives alone cannot do any tangible thing without your continued support and prayers as well as constructive criticism. Therefore, we reiterate our need for your commitment, support and prayers in due course.

This speech is valueless without congratulating our seniors, the academic warriors who have just graduated. We pray that Almighty God will make their life after graduation a much blessed one. We also congratulate all those who have rounded off their second semester examinations, we wish you all the best and welcome you to the next class.

Special Infaidagu to all our fatherly lectures who put in all their best to mould us to be educated citizens with good character so that we become productive in giving our quota for national development. May Allah increase them in health and wealth, elongate their lives with blessings, and finally admit them in Jannatul Firdaus, Amin.

In conclusion, we say adupe to all our lecturers, daalụ to the celebrants, mun gode to Linguistic Student Association Independent Electoral Committee (LINSAIECO), miyetti to ex-Excos of LINSA, and kubeti to all others who contributed in any way in bringing us into the mantle of LINSA as Excos. Similarly, we say, dank je to the family and friends of the celebrants, obrigado to SUG President and his entourage, grazie to (FAISSA) President and his entourage, mercie to Chairman Zero Tolerance for Corruption and all other EXCOS and members of other associations. May God return all of you home safely. God Bless Linguistics and Foreign Languages Department. God bless LINSA. God bless BUK! Dear fellow students, WE LOVE YOU ALL!

Bello Sagir
President
2016/17 Linguistic Student Association (LINSA)
29/10/16.

HAUSA MAN: YESTERDAY AND TODAY by Bello Sagir Imam

Published in Daily Trust of 16/08/16 on page 42. Enjoy!

[Historically, the ancestral Bahaushe (Hausa man) is dark complexioned, short big, flat nosed and wide mouthed. This description is now nearly a history due to inter-marriages between Bahaushe and non-Bahaushe. Hausawa (Hausa men) are known to cling to their culture. Except their religion which was formally 'Maguzanci' (traditional religion) and lately Islam. Nothing superseded their tradition. The easiest way to distinguish Hausawa from members of other Nigerian ethnic groups, in an inter-ethnic gathering was their firm grip on their culture in terms of their dressing, dish, architecture, you mention it. Whoever in the gathering were bound by their tradition are, no doubt, typical Hausawa. This does not only apply to Nigerian inter-ethnic gathering, it does so to non-Nigerian as well. 

[Yesterday, Hausawa hardly took their supper alone, they, along with other neighbors used to dish in an encircled arena. Each of them would present his food, commonly known as “Tuwo and Miyar Kuka”, to the circle and the meals one after the other would be eaten by the group, until they are all satisfied. The left over was then given to hungry beggars (known as Almajiris) who normally used to hang around in anticipation of being call to collect the left over. This exercise is called 'ciyayya', literally meaning 'eating together'. Whoever among the participating men could not afford the supper would still enjoy the group meal, that way it became apparent to his friends that he was possibly financially handicapped. if this lasted for long, the other men would assist him with food stuff and cooking ingredients. If among the normal participants one was not able to show up for two or more occasions, other members would ask for him. Some could even go to the extent of sending for him or even inquiring from his wife. If he was befallen by sickness or any form of calamity, they would mitigate the predicament by praying and offering financial assistance individually or collectively to his family.

[Yesterday, virginity of an unmarried lady is very sacred. Most unmarried female Hausawa are virgin. Loosing virginity is losing life, and therefore the worst pre-marital crime by a Bahaushiya. To confirm the virginity of a lady before she was conveyed to her matrimonial house, a ritual had to be conducted and if a girl was found guilty, she would instantly die. If for certain reasons the ritual was not conducted, and after the couple spent the first night, the groom found the bride already deflowered, the fresh marriage would be terminated. Before the termination, his female relatives out of curiosity to confirm whether or not their inlaw took her virginity to their brother's room, would visit his room a day after the bride conveyance. They would be very observant of any sign no matter how slight it might be, leading to the affirmation of the purity of the bride. If for example, they saw a broken plate or calabash in the room, which the groom would break after sleeping with the bride and finding her unsealed, to signal the virgin status of his wife to whoever went to confirm it. But if no sign was seen, then the visitors would outsmart the lady by asking her to bring water to them which she would bring possibly in a calabash. When they received the water and they found the calabash broken, then every doubt was dispelled. She was already disvirgined out of wedlock!] 

Yesterday, Hausawa hardly knew courtship before their most marriages. In the couple of marriages where courtship was done, the chat between the lady and the guy at all times took place at night. The young man in the company of his bosom friend would send a boy to the house of the young girl to call her for the chat. This is a tradition which used to take place at night. In Hausa this is call 'zance'. 'Tana zuwa' meaning she was coming was usually the reply by the errand boy. He would then give the boy some few 'kobo' as a gift to show some appreciation. Happily the boy will run back to their house while laughing mouth to ear. The chat was characterized by ultimate modesty between the trio. They sat not at whispering distance, with the girl, uttering no word except nodding or shaking her coyly bowed head.

Bahausshiya hardly collected 'Kudin Zance', meaning chat gift, from her boyfriend when he offered her. He would insist she collect but she could not succumb. This was a form of modesty enshrined in Hausa Culture and norms. At the end he would place the money beside her. The coy lady would take the money after her lover and his friend disappeared. Arranged and kinship marriages are the major kinds of Hausawa's marriages. Peace reined in such marriages. It took quite many years before you hear of any squabble.

[The habit of Hausawa at that time can be illustrated in Hausa Proverb 'Naka naka ne ko yaci naman ka ba zai tauna kashin ba' meaning, 'man's home is his castle'.]  

That was Hausawa by then. Today, the story is becoming something else, to some extent. Hausawa's appearance is now transformed to a different looks, beautiful, should I say, even though beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. This is because of inter-marriages with Fulani, Nupe, Barebari etcetera. Their intermarriages with Fulani had greatly impacted them linguistically, and thus the journalists brought about the claim of Hausa-Fulani. Today, the word 'ciyayya' is not popular in the modern Hausawa's dictionary. Some female unmarried Hausawa have begun to change. Some of them are lured by money or other worldly things and allow themselves to be deflowered out of wed lock.

Today, some Hausawa have begun to develop the habit of divorcing their wives on a preventable or solvable marital crises. Leaving behind the divorcee's children with him in the hand of step mother, some of whom do not treat the step children 'agola' with fairness. Some young men and women spend some years in courtship but cannot spend such years spent in courtship in the marriage. [It all of a sudden break.

Today, partying, cutting cake, and reception to celebrate a wedding is becoming more acceptable to some Hausawa. Not long ago, a groom divorced his bride on the day their marriage was contracted just few minutes before her conveyance to him because he confirmed that the wedding party he opposed was sponsored by the ex-boyfriend of the bride and therefore was taking place.

[Today, some Hausawa youth dress in earth down and pensu/pensir trousers style, balatoli hair style and swag. The recent one is 'Dab' style or dance imported into Nigeria by Olamide. Dab originated five year or so ago. As the American rapper Bow wow said, it was a practice of cannabis community. This phenomenon have become popular among some Hausa youth recently.] 

Today, some Hausawa have formed the habit of looking down at their fellow Hausa's who study Hausa as a course in tertiary institution or university. If you ask them to write one paragraph in Hausa, some of them can't do so correctly. British, Arabs and French men study their respective languages with pride.

[The names: Emiratus Prof. Dandatti Abdulkadir, Prof. Yaro Yahaya, Prof. M. K. Galadanci, Prof. Abdulkadir Dangambo, Prof. Abdallah Uba Adamu and few others must be written in gold as strong and unshakable scholastic pillars in Hausa scholarship in Nigeria and beyond.]

Finally, decline in cultural values is not limited to some Hausawa only, some other ethnic groups in the country also face the same or even worse problem. In fact, this is a universal phenomenon due to globalization and the effect of modernity. Hausawa ought to inculcate their culture most of which are good. In fact Hausa culture is one of the best in the country and in Africa by extension. Looking at the modern Hausawa, you find the Hausa proverb that 'Bahaushe mai ban haushi...' Credible, meaning, Hausa man an angree maker. Bahaushe says, 'Kowa yabar gida gida ya barshi'!

NB: The square bracketed parts in this blog were not included in the article published by Daily Trust.

Bello Sagir Imam is a member Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Kano Branch.

08132518714/belsagim@gmail.com
 

NIGERIA'S RECOVERED FUND: IF I WERE BUHARI- Bello Sagir Imam

The world perceives Nigeria as synonymous with corruption, that's why the '2016 Best Countries Ranking' placed the country in the No. 1 position among the world 10 most corrupt nations. The inclusion of other countries, particularly Russia, the second most powerful nation in the world as No. 6 justifies that corruption is a global phenomenon not just peculiar to Nigeria. Corruption is what brings Nigeria to its knees and thus blackpaints it in the eyes of the world.

Top on the presidential campaign agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari for 2015 election was war against the endemic graft, and immediately he assumed power after being democratically elected, he set up a 7 member advisory committee to help him crack down corruption. The membership of the committee was drawn from the academia, with Professors in Criminology and Law who are well known for uncompromising on fighting against corruption. Having set up the committee, the Aso Villa announced the creation of Treasury Single Account (TSA) which ordered all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to pay all government revenues, incomes and receipts into the TSA with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). This, according to the federal government, is aimed at promoting transparency and compliance to section 80 and 162 of the 1999 Constitution.

Buhari's fight against corruption is recording huge success as his administration has succeeded in making a lot of recoveries of siphoned public funds. Details published by the Federal Ministry of Information, disclosed that the Nigerian government successfully retrieved total cash amounting to: N78,325,354,631.82, $185,119,584.61, £3,508,355.46 and €11, 250 between May 29, 2015 and May 25, 2016. Also released were recoveries under interim forfeiture, which were a combination of cash and assets, during the same period: N126,563,481,095.43, $9,090,243,920.15, £2,484,447.55 and€303,399.17. Anticipated repatriation from foreign countries totalled: $321,316,726.1, £6,900,000 and €11,826.11. The ministry also announced that 239 non-cash recoveries were made during the one-year period. The non-cash recoveries are – farmlands, plots of land, uncompleted buildings, completed buildings, vehicles and maritime vessels, the ministry said. This gigantic retrieval is from Rtd. Col. Sambo Dasuki, former National Security Adviser to Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and others. Also the retrieval came from those who voluntarily returned their loot to the federal government. These figures were made public by the presidency on 6th June 2016 when Nigerians had a high expectation that the president would publicize the figures along with the names of the suspected corrupt public officers involved as he promised twice but he failed to do so. He first promised to publicize it on 29th May but on the D-Day postponed it to the 6th June and still failed, something that generated mixed reaction: some expressed their disappointment while others expressed approval. I believe the President's failure to keep his words might be in compliance with a legal counsel probably informed by what Mal. Nuhu Ribadu, the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says: 'When you fight corruption, it fights back', meaning, attaching names to the figures might plunge the presidency into a serious legal suit with the affected people, because 1999 Nigerian Constitution, 2011 Nigerian Evidence Act and 1981 African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights all guarantees presumption of innocence of an accused person until the prosecution proves his guilt beyond reasonable doubt. That is in section 36(5) of the constitution, section 135. (1) of the Evidence Act and Article 7(1)(b) Charter

Shortly after assuming duty, the Chairman of the Advisory Committee, Prof. Itse Sagay, said that an account has been set up for the recovered fund. This is a glad tiding. Since then, we didn't hear from the federal government or the committee on what they are going to do with the fund. We have good expectation on the administration that they will not miss the recovered money.

If I were President Buhari, I will invest the money in what will directly have positive impact on the life of the common man, which can be an independent dividend from the dividends the administration will bequeath to us. In other words, the money should not be submerged in the TSA, doing so will make the ordinary man on the street not to point or touch concrete projects as a an investment of his recovered wealth but rather only assume that the money was just invested in an abstract project that will only benefit the elite. Essentially, let the government create something like Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) whose projects are still enjoyed by the common man and can be physically touched by him. Projects such as: construction and equipment of hospitals, schools, factories, roads, boreholes etc, across the geo-political zones in the country. This could be done after the government secured conviction over the cases now on trial about the money, because the money now is just an exhibit. The fund may be named 'Recovered Money Fund' (RMF) or any other suitable name. A lawyer/judge or a police/army retired or serving can chair the fund, but he must be of proven integrity.

Bello Sagir Imam is a member, Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Kano State Branch.
08057680032/08132518714/belsagim@gmail.com/www.bellosagirimam.com

(C) Bello Sagir Imam 2016.

Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN

RAINY SEASON: ANTI-FLOOD CAMPAIGN By Bello Sagir Imam

Every year, water flood as a form natural disaster affects Nigeria, particularly its northern part, which swallows properties worth billions of Naira, washing away houses, displacing thousand of residents, markets, farmlands and cemeteries unearthing many corpses. The disaster render many affected people missing, costing hundreds of lives. This is mainly due to nonchalance of the residents and poor environmental policy from the government.

Flood in action

According to Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), 363 people died in flooding in Nigeria in 2012. 7 million people were affected and 2.3 million displaced after 597,476 houses were submerged by water. The country is still working to recover from the 2012 floods, which were considered to be the worst in 40 years. The following year, 2013, in Kano alone, the flood displaced over 500 people, killed one person after he fell in a River at Darmanawa in Kumbotso Local Government Area of the State. Four people were missing after they had been swept away by raging flood waters. The flooding also damaged the city cemetery, unearthing 20 corpses. The then Kano authorities claimed that at least 100 homes have been destroyed in the area, but Nigeria’s State Emergency Relief and Rehabilitation Agency (NEMA) gave a conflicting figure that 408 homes were destroyed in Kano city and another 26 outside the metropolis.

Last year, 2015, No fewer than 53 people have died in 11 states in the country resulting from flood disasters that displaced more than 100,420 persons.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report indicated that thousands of houses, farmlands and property worth billions of Naira were also lost to the flood disasters in many Local Government Areas affected in the northern states which were Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, Jigawa, Adamawa, Yobe, Gombe and Bauchi.

Many factors contribute to water flooding, more prominently are: building houses on waterways, narrowness of culverts and bridges dumping refuse at drainages and over filling of dams. At first, while locally segmenting land (awon igiya) done by traditional leaders and land dealers, out of either ignorance or bias or both, lands are segmented on waterways which is later sold to prospective buyers who will build on it thereby blocking smooth passage of water. Some times extension of houses also affect the waterways. In such a case, water, especially during heavy rain, will not get a passage and this will make it force its way. Some culverts and bridges are too narrow to let water move without hitches, in such an instance, water will force its way. Also the uncivilized way of dumping refuse everywhere, especially at drainages blocks the water passage which makes it force its way. When our dams are over filled, they over flow and force their ways. In all these instances highlighted above, the water having forced its way, move to the streets and stop traffic movement, killing people, washes away whatever it meets, which may be houses, farmlands, markets. Also it drowns people and make them missing and eventually kill them.

The solution is that, first of all, looking at the non-fulfilling nature of our most governments, to their promises, the society ought to develope communal project whereby they build drainages or expand them etc, with their gathered money. Government should embark on regular anti-flood campaign especially near and during rainy season. This campaign includes, jingles, posters, bill boards, sign boards, anti-flood films show on TV and projectors, radio dramas, leaflets, radio and television programs and advertorials. Prior warning of flood outbreak by meteorologists must be taken seriously by both the residents and the government. Our dams have to be well managed by their experts, so that they will not be over filled to overflow and kill people and destroy farmlands and other properties. Town planning and environmental workers/experts should be carried along and their suggestions should be duly implemented. Local land segmenting (awon igiya) should be outlawed, or made to conform with the best standard practice. Traditional and religious leaders must be involved. Laws have to be enacted to punish anybody who commits environmental offense capable of aiding flooding. The increasing use of polythene bag have to also be limited.

Therefore, unless the strong measures mentioned above are put in place, the devastating flood will continue to cost lives and properties on annual basis, unchecked. My hope is that this campaign will be well disseminated until it reaches the concerned authorities and of course my fellow masses whom I'm optimistic will be influenced by this piece.

(C) Bello Sagir Imam 2016.

08132518714/08057680032/belsagim@gmail.com

AN OPEN LETTER TO MTN

This open letter was published in Blueprint Newspaper of 18/02/16 tagged: 'Letter To MTN' and on www.memorilacom tagged:'MTN: Last Plea Before I. Port'.

I'm sick of it. I'm  prostrated by the inconveniences I have been subjected to for quite many years, Without my knowledge, you steal money from my account and forcefully subscribe me to your caller tunes. I followed the instruction to opt out, but after successfully opting out, you register me again at a later time. You give me poor BBC Blackberry monthly subscription and poor call network. More so, you send me junks of useless text messages about your seductive promos and raffles. As a Muslim, you send me Christian messages that have nothing to do with me or my faith. And to add fuel to fire, a fortnight ago you sent me messages calling me to go and register my sim card, even though I suffered all the hustles involved in sim registration and successfully registered since last year. I patiently and quietly went and registered within five hours! The following day after you confirmed my registration to me, you sent another message to me that reads: 'Dear Customer, we are open this Saturday & Sunday. Please URGENTLY visit any MTN registration center to re-register your SIM. Very FAST service guaranteed. Text REG to 64625 for the center nearest to you. Valid ID required. Thank you.' Stop this madness to 08132518714, my number!

Before I resorted to put pen to paper, I visited MTN offices time without number and complained, but you had never attended to me convincingly. Every time I went to your office, I had to join the long queue of customers and patiently wait. Many times, I engaged in discussions with some customers on our collective predicaments. In the course of the discussion, some had shared with me their ordeals in your hand, MTN, which was mostly as the same as mine. At times, some of these customers leave the office foaming at the mouth. I could vividly recall an incidence that transpired between one angry customer and your customer care agent. Having waited in the queue for more than five hours for his number to be called which will enable him to be attended to by one of the customer agents, he was called and attended to. The frown on his face when he stood away from the chair facing the agent and the aggression in his movement indicated that something outward was definitely going to take place. What he did was tearing his copy of the re-registration form in his hand, threw them on the ground and made a long hiss before he walked out, murmuring.

Apart from going to your offices, I equally called your online customer care agent severally. I would wait for an hour or so before I was attended to online, yet you couldn't solve my problem. Recently, I posted a warning to you on my Facebook timeline and on other online fora that you either stop the madness or else...And you couldn't heed to the warning. Only this morning Saturday (13/02/16), you sent ten messages to me telling me to go and re-register. This is unethical! One of the messages, which you sent to me twice is threatening and it reads: 'Dear customer, to avoid being BARRRED this month,please register now at any MTN SIM Reg point.'.

Well, take note my callers pls! I love the MTN but I think 'I have to love them and leave them' having being patronizing them for over a decade without required customer satisfaction, in their over two decades of existence in Nigeria. In case I swap the telecommunication company, forgive me for any inconvenience doing that may course to you, for that is something courtesy of MTN! And the alternative should be my other number pls. MTN, let me put it clear to you, STOP deducting money from my account for a caller tune I didn't subscribe to. STOP giving us poor network for BBC and calls, STOP sending messages that has nothing to do with my religion and of course STOP sending messages calling me to go and re-register!

Before I shut the door at you, let me assure you that I can continue being in the list of your subscribers, provided you resolve my complaints above. At this juncture, I call on the National Assembly, the Human Right Commission, National Communication Commission, Consumer Protection Council and all other concerned authorities to come in and cement the bad rapport between us and the MTN.

This piece was published on 18/02/16 in Blueprint newspaper.

(C) Bello Sagir Imam 2016.
08132518714/belsagim@gmail.com/www.b>ellosagirimam.blogspot.com

CC:

MTN Nigeria Ltd.
National Assembly
Human Right Commission
National Communication Commission Consumer Protection Council

SICKLE CELL ANEMIA: PRE-MARITAL SCREENING, A THREAT TO LOVERS? -NASEEBA SANI BABALE

Nigeria has the largest population of people with sickle cell anaemia in the world with about 150,000 births annually. Statistics show that over 40m (one fourth) of Nigerians are carriers of the sickle cell gene. Despite this large number of people with this disorder, a lot of Nigerians still have a negative image and/or lack of awareness of it. Most lovers in the peak of love are reluctant to undergoing a pre-marital screening and refuse to let go of partners of whom they have a potential of giving birth to sickle cell anaemic children, just because their unadulterated love would not allow it.

Sickle cell disease occurs when a person inherits two abnormal haemoglobin genes, one from each parent. This abnormal haemoglobin is called haemoglobin "S". Inheritance of two haemoglobin S genes makes a person to have the SS combination. Thus the haemoglobin produced is abnormal and the person develops sickle cell anaemia.
Like all other inherited disorders, sickle cell anaemia is not curable! However, this deadly disease can be prevented only through pre-marital screening and counseling. Sickle cell anaemia is a disease that keeps its culprits, mostly children and young adults entangled in life-long episodes of intense pain and discomfort. They are rarely completely healthy, spending most of their days on hospital beds, swallowing medications and having blood transfused through their veins almost all the time. They also suffer a lot of social discrimination, psychological pains including depression. Their parents and loved ones are also involved in this pains. These includes financial challenges. They experience several sleepless nights nursing their sick kids, always running to and fro the hospital and their kids spend most of their times out of school rather than in school with their colleagues.

The normal haemoglobin is haemoglobin A, while two abnormal haemoglobins are most common, haemoglobins S and C. individuals with a combination of A and C or A and S are termed carriers of sickle cell trait. They are usually healthy and rarely present with any complications. Individuals with a combination of A and A have a normal haemoglobin type, while those with S AND C, C and C or S and S have the sickle cell anaemia! Couples that have the AC and AS combination, AC and AS combination or AC and AC combination have a high chance of giving birth to sickle cell kids! Individuals with the SS, CC or SC combination should only get married to an AA as that is the only way they can avoid giving birth to a child with similar condition as their own!

The only solution to preventing incidences of SCA is pre-marital screening. It is obligatory upon all individuals to know their haemoglobin genotype that is for them to know the type of haemoglobin combination they possess and to know the right partner for them.

It`s mandatory on us all to join hands and save the future generation, we must sacrifice whatever love we feel we have for each other as far as we have a potential of giving birth to a child with sickle cell anaemia. Let`s save our future from episodes of pain and hospitalization. Let`s save ourselves the financial and emotional burden associated with nursing a child with sickle cell anaemia. If we let our love leads us to the birth of sick children that suffer their entire lives in pain, those children will never forgive us when they come to know that we had a way of preventing their suffering, but didn`t because our love wouldn`t allow it! Let us all make a sickle cell anaemia free Nigeria possible!
NASIBA SANI BABALE, 2015.

Naseeba Sani Babale is medical laboratory scientist doing her internship with Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH).

'PEERLESS UNIVERSITY' AND OTHER POEMS -Bello Sagir Imam

The first poem here was published on Page 45 of 'BUK Today' magazine of January 2016, and it's historic, being the first one I rendered in a live radio program)

PEERLESS UNIVERSITY
-Bello Sagir Imam

The Nigerian version of Sankore
Erected in the shadow of Dala
As heterogeneous as the country
Bestowing the nation with light
Manufacturing credible leaders

The home of a dual cap and emeriti
Platform for learners and teachers
Nigeria's 'A' Grade Institution
Born opposite Dukawuya
But now based at Rimingata

Bearing 13 faculties and 70 departments
It hatches what can be hatched by none
Who excel in all disciplines
Helping the country grow and develop
Becoming the envy of all

Unwavering I'm, being loyal ambassador
For my university par excellence
The song sung now is
Above every university, there is BUK!

belsagim@gmail.com
(C) Bello Sagir Imam 2015.

I HAVE A DREAM (1)
(For Ummu Abdullahi. After reading 'I Have A Dream' of Martin Luther King)
-Bello Sagir Imam

I Have A Dream
that you're married
to a man of your choice

I have a dream
that you're blessed with
bright kids

I have a dream
that you graduate
at the top of your class

I have a dream
that you and your hubby
are love birds

I have a dream
that you become a relief
to your parents

I have a dream
that you separate with
your parent in peace

I have a dream that
your husband achieves
his lifetime dreams

I have a dream
that you became
a first lady

I have a dream
that you became
a star of stars

I have a dream
that you leave a legacy
to this generation
and to the posterity

I have a dream
that your son
becomes a president

I have a dream
that your grand son
becomes a governor

I have a dream
that you help
millions of poor people

I have a dream
that you re-unite
with your hubby
family and friends
in Firdaus.

(C) Bello Sagir Imam 2015.

I CHERISH YOUR BLUE EYES
-Bello Sagir Imam

A voice asks me every moment
Why I enjoy being a student
And my grade the best emolument
'Your blue eyes are my merriment

I cherish your blue eyes

Yes your blue eyes, at *BUK is my feast
To defend them I can clench my fist
That's why I marry the east
To live longer and tell the gist

I cherish your blue eyes

Eye contact with you cause
Me to understand all my course
And that's always the source
Of my food and a sauce

I cherish your blue eyes

In darkness you don't need light
Even in the grave at night
They will make it look bright
The eyes *NEPA can't fight

I cherish your blue eyes

I feel jealous in my mind
If men cherish your eyes in my land
I pray to marry you soon or you go blind
Before jealousy kills me, killing of this kind

I cherish your blue eyes

Blue eyed are blue eyed only
But you're in addition, Godly
For this I cherish them happily
And thank God for making you rarely

I cherish your blue eyes

Hello, accept me to be your hubby
And you be the mother of Sumy
Not forgetting Abdul our baby
And other babies with nanny

I cherish your blue eyes

*BUK is an acronym for the Prestigious Bayero University Kano. *NEPA: National Electricity Power Authority.

belsagim@gmail.com

(C) Bello Sagir Imam 2015. 
                         

THE SUN STILL SHINES
(For Sheikh Aminuddeen Abubakar)
-Bello Sagir Imam

When Kano was a grave
The sun rose from the heaven
Shining every where
The sun set suddenly
When his trumpet was blown.

He was a cloud
Raining scholarship
A voice
Silencing Ungodliness
A water
Washing away paganism
A sword
Beheading prostitution.

In the land of the Prophet
Azra'I'll seized him
And Arabs envied his leaving:
He is now a candidate of paradise
Like Ja'afar and Albani
Dr, our greetings to the duo.

While resting in peace
Keep enjoying the fruits 
of your trees and our prayers.
Should we not behold
That Sheikh's exit
Is prologue to doomsday?

(C) Bello Sagir Imam 2016.

INTERVIEW: LINGUISTICS WILL FOREVER REMAIN AS THE MOTHER OF ALL PROFESSIONS- VINCENT

Being committed to serving you in the maximum way in the blogsphere, this time, as it's customary with Learning Never Ends (LNE), it brings to you a fresh but rare interview with another success story from the Linguistic world. He is no other person than Comrade Owoh Ugochukwu Vincent. He is a Linguist and a student leader. He is interviewed by Bello Sagir Imam where he unveils so many vital issues as regards to Linguistics and student leadership, that address the most frequently asked questions by both initiated and uninitiated persons in the field. He further argued that, in his eyes, till doomsday, his discipline will remain relevant to all other disciplines. Enjoy:

LNE: Sir, in just few words, can you tell us about yourself?

VINCENT: Ok thank you. My name is Comrade Owoh Ugochukwu Vincent. A Linguist, studying at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State. And by His grace I'm presently the National President of Linguistics & Languages Students Association (NALLS)nig.

LNE: What does NALLS offer and to whom?

VINCENT: Ah, this is a good question. NALLS nig is a national students Association for Linguistics and Languages students in Nigeria. NALLS nig fights for the interest of its members and promotes Linguistics and Languages professions in Nigeria.

LNE: What is Linguistics?

VINCENT: Linguistics is the scientific study of Language. In addition, Linguistics studies all aspects of Language from its formal structural properties to the way it is used, as represented in the brain. Linguistics as a field of study endeavors to describe and explain the human faculty of Language.

LNE: What are the branches of Linguistics?

VINCENT: Wow! Linguistics as a course has the following four branches:

1) General Linguistics, generally describes the concepts and categories of a particular language or among all language. It also provides analyzed theory of the language.

2) Descriptive Linguistics describes or gives the data to confirm or refute the theory of particular language explained generally.

3) Micro Linguistics is the narrower view. It concerns internal view of Language itself (structure of language system) without relating to other sciences and to how to apply it in daily life. Some fields of Micro Linguistics are as follows: a) Phonetics (b) Phonology (c) Morphology (d) Syntax (e) Semantics (f) Pragmatics (g) Discourse Analysis.

4) Macro Linguistics is the broadest view of language. It is concerned with external view of language itself relating to other sciences and how to apply it in daily life. Some fields of Macro Linguistics are as follows: (a) Stylistics (b) Developmental Linguistics (c) Historical Linguistics (d) Language Geography(e) Evolutionary Linguistics (f) Psycho Linguistics (g) Socio Linguistics (h) Clinical Linguistics (I) Neuro Linguistics (j) Biolinguistics (k) computational linguistics and we also have (l) forensic linguistics and others. The latter helps in the detection of crime and terrorism, as it is used by America and other developed nations. Nigerian security too can use it in their fight against terrorism and all other forms of crimes.

LNE: In brief, how did Linguistics come into being, historically?

VINCENT: Thank you for this interesting question. In ancient civilization, Linguistics study was originally motivated by the correct description of classical Liturgical language, notably that of Sanskrit grammar beginning in about the 6th Century BCE, or by the development of logic and rhetoric in ancient Greece, leading to a grammatical tradition in Hellenism beginning around the 4th Century BCE. China also developed its own grammatical traditions. Traditions of Arabic grammar and Hebrew grammar developed during the middle Ages, also in a religious context. Thank you.

LNE: What are the merits and the demerit (if there is any) of studying Linguistics?
VINCENT: Good. In my opinion there are lots of merits of studying Linguistics. Here are some of them:

1) it gives one the opportunity to know how words are formed.

2) it broadens ones mood of expressions because you can play on words and syntactically arrive at the meaning intended to pass on.

3) It gives one the link to other fields of study and to cap it all, Linguistics is arguably, the mother of all other professions and will forever remain as such, as no profession can exist without using language which is the tool of Linguistics. For me, the only demerits on this is that you will only know little about other professions. Thank you.

LNE: What are the direct relevance of Linguistics to our society?

VINCENT: There are so many relevance of Linguistics in our life. One, there is what we call Discourse Analysis, which is the field that examines the natural use of language in everyday use, which includes, gender differences, gestures, language and politics, among many others. Secondly, there is what we call Languages in contact which happens when cultures are exposed to different languages. In some cases, they may borrow words and sometimes new language emerge. Thirdly, Meaning which tells us how people understand the actual meaning behind the things we say. Then language in the social context tells us a lot about what we know about a language and its importance in society

LNE: Is Linguistics a Social Science? If yes, what are its relationship with other Social Science courses?

VINCENT: No. Linguistics is a purely a science. It's the scientific study of languages. Thank you.

LNE: How marketable is Linguistics?

VINCENT: Very marketable because Linguistics have links with every field of study. A Linguist has a place in the media house, in the hospital, in the law court, in the embassy etc so a Linguist can work in any parastatal of choice.

LNE: What are the interrelatedness between languages and Linguistics?
VINCENT: Nice question! We already know that Linguistics is a scientific study of language. Ok, from different viewpoints, as a science, linguistics can be divided into several branches. As a science, linguistics must fulfill some scientific prerequisites. First, it must have a subject mater. Language is said to be a subject matter of linguistics. As a subject matter, a language must be clearly and explicitly defined. Finocchioro defined a language as a system of arbitrary, vocal symbols that permit all people in a given culture, or other people who have learned the system of that culture, to communicate or to interact.

LNE: What can you say about learning Linguistics in Nigeria? Compare and contrast it with that of other African and Non African countries.
VINCENT: Learning Linguistics in Nigeria is very necessary and important. This will help the Nigerian government to keep records of the various native Languages spoken across the country and in the other words there will be a preservations of culture of the people. In comparism with other African country, in my opinion I will say that the study of Linguistics in African countries is still on the same pace because record of Languages spoken in Africa are not recorded and as such most of her Languages are lost. Presently, most of African Languages including Nigeria are going into extinction but in contrary to that of the developed countries of the world where the study of Linguistics is highly observed and the procedure of Language recording is on the high pace that the histories of Language development is documented unlike her African counterpart that had no history of her Language.

LNE: Probably, the most asked question by the fresh students of Linguistics in Nigerian universities, especially immediately they were admitted, is that: 'Does studying Linguistics means studying English, or Hausa, or Ibgo or Yoruba, or English or Arabic or French, or some of these together or perhaps all of them?', in other words, 'will one graduate with B.A Linguistics Hausa or B.A Linguistics English at the end of one's studies?'. What can you say about this, Comrade?

VINCENT: It's not. Studying Linguistics is all about knowing the components that build up Language of the world and also the relationship between one language and the other. Like we have the language tree, here. We now have the mother Language and the sister languages. Studying Linguistics will also expand your knowledge to play on word because of the syntaxzology knowledge. Example of what I mean- I advised him to try not to be too trying. You find out in this concept we have 'try' in two places but having different meaning. This is the work of Linguistics, its not about having just a knowing on a particular language like English, igbo , French etc. So with the knowing of Linguistics you can absolutely analysis any language you come in contact with. But at this juncture I will advise every Linguistics students to have a knowledge on any Foreign language of your choice like French, chiness etc. this will promote you much more in the labour market. Though its also possible you graduate with B.A Linguistics Igbo, or Hausa depending on your programme and the university in which you study. Thanks.

LNE: Comrade, some students assert that university primary assignment i.e studies is in opposition with student unionism. Do you concur with the assertion. Then How do you reconcile between the two?

VINCENT: No I don't concur on the opinion that the University primary assignment is in opposition with students unionism. My reason is as follows: first the University programme is peramant, a students who gained admission into an institution is expected to obey the Universities rules and regulations so in this view every students Unionism should work in line with the programme of the university because without the university you are not recognized. And if student is already committed to his studies, his involvement in student unionism will in no way harm his studies, it will instead give him several advantages during and after his graduation. Thanks.

LNE: What can you say about the blog: 'Learning Never Ends' which is on: www.bellosagirimam.blogspot.com?
VINCENT: Yeah. Its really a welcome development to see in the history of Linguistics world that a Linguist developed a site as this. With this blog issues facing the discipline can be showcased here in the blog and be discussed to provide answers to them. I believe that this blog will really go very far and become popular among Linguistics students in Nigeria. Thanks.

LNE: What is your last massage, especially to your non-linguistics readers?

VINCENT: This is really interesting, yeah I would give this message to my non-linguistics readers and also to my Linguistics readers too. First of all it's very important that everyone should have little knowledge about Linguistics because it will help you know that your language is your identity, so you shouldn't lose your language and it will assist you to have the knowledge to know how language is preserved. Thank you very much my famous Linguist, Comrade Bello Sagir Imam from Beyero University Kano for this notable interview that is gird to promote Linguistics profession. Ok take good care of yourself brother. You will go places.

LNE: Sir, this blog can't thank you enough, and it gives you three powerful gbosas. Gbosa! gbosa!! gbosa!!!

'Learning Never Ends' will soon, God willing, interview Comrade Owoh Ugochukwu Vincent on the fast approaching national linguistics conference that will host representatives of students of the course from all the Nigerian universities and colleges, to be held in Abuja, and post here. Just stay in touch with the blog: 'Learning Never Ends' for satisfying your reading flair.

Thanks for the reading!
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN

BUK GRADUATES ITS PIONEER LIGUISTICS STUDENTS By Bello Sagir Imam

As the year 2015 climaxed, the Linguistics Department of Bayero University Kano (BUK) graduated its pioneer B.A. students, ever produced by the nestling department. It is said that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step. The grandaunts’ four-year academic sojourn was capped up with a send-off party organized by the Linguistics Students Association (LINSA), on Sunday 20th of December, 2015, held at the Parliamentary chamber of Bayero University Students Union Government (SUG). The occasion was graced by personalities such as the Head of the Department, Lecturers, students, as well as some family members and friends of the students. The event kick-started with prayers by Malam Jamilu Saleh Abdussalam, the departmental secretary.

Lecturers led by the Head Of the Department (H.O.D) spoke one after the other and offered some pieces of advice to the grandaunts that will face new challenges of life, after passing out and integrating into the larger society.

Addressing the gathering, the H.O.D, Professor Mukhtar Abdulkadir Yusuf, implored the young Linguists to, in the spirit of 'forgive and forget' forgive who might have offended them in their process of learning. He concluded by urging them to be honest, saying that 'honesty', 'is the best policy'. On their part, Prof. Aliyu Musa and Prof. Danladi Yalwa emphasized on the need for the celebrants to embrace honesty in whatever they do and wherever they find themselves, while, the Departmental Examination Officer, Dr. Tijjani Almajir, linked his admonishment on the popular saying that, 'beggars must not be choosers' meaning, warning the graduates against life of greed and being too ambitious, by only emphasizing on getting white collar jobs. A female lecturer, Malama Zahra'u Ibrahim Waya called on them to be patient and enduring in their life undertakings, while Malama Maimuna A. Isma'il preached that they should be God fearers in whichever position they happen to attain. Malam Tahir Abba highlighted that Linguistics is a leading course to Medicine, Law and other fields of studies as they couldn't do without language. He added that the graduates should be able to defend their certificates through their conducts. In his comments, Prof. Hafiz Miko, thanked Allah for making the department what it is today, recounting his experience, being the first Level Coordinator in the Department. He said the task of graduating the students was a herculean one, but with the help of God, all was now history. Mal. Yahaya 
Muhammad Ahmad
 reitrated what his earlier colleague said. All the academics speeches were in line with the twin qualities boldly inscribed in the certificate of every graduate of the institution and they are 'Learning and Character.' Malam Isa Muhammad Inuwa, summed up all the comments made, urging the graduates not to be enticed by the ‘get rich quick' syndrome. He concluded by drawing the attention of the graduates, to always prove themselves as Linguists, by trying to express themselves fluently in English and in any other language, whether in speech or in writing, as they won't be forgiven by the laymen in the larger society when they become deficient in language, be it their first or second.

While responding on behalf of the graduating students, Muktar Adamu Aliyu, expressed an ocean of thanks to all their lecturers for molding them into Linguists. Also speaking, Sani Dauda shared with the audience his experience while at BUK, which included how the university offered them admission into Linguistics, as against LLB for which they have earlier applied.

He testified that at the beginning, they had no idea what Linguistics was all about, wondering whether it was Hausa, English, Arabic etc. Also commenting, a female student, Binta Rabi'u Muhd, aka 'Maman Linguistics' expressed her pride as graduate of Linguistics, stressing, she would remain as such wherever she finds herself. She expressed her ambition that she would be the first, from her colleagues, to register for M.A in the department. Their former Class Captain, Muhammad Muazu, asserted that his gratefulness to their lecturers was beyond mention. He concluded by seeking for an apology from whomever he might have wronged throughout their studies.

Finally, the new executives of the Linguistics Students Association (LINSA) were sworn in. As it is usual with such gatherings, the DJ adjusted his volume, playing the latest music in town and some graduates danced to the tune, to show their happiness. This entertainment occurred as the staff members of the department departed for group photographs with the graduates.Amidst the entertainment, the attendees enjoyed themselves by feasting on the delicacies. The historic occasion was closed with prayers.

Bello Sagir Imam is a member, Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Kano State Branch and a level 300 student of Linguistics Department, BUK.
belsagim@gmail.com/0805768003/www.bellosagirimam.blogspot.com

(C)Bello Sagir Imam 2015.