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.