Her uniqueness isn’t because she is an institution, her uniqueness lies in the values inherent in her students. The very moment you step at the main gate of the school, every other orientation inherent in you is dropped. You assume a new entity, coated in the philosophy of the founder, the great Sir Ahmadu Bello,the Sardauna of Sokoto.
Ahmadu Bello University Zaria is the gateway to other universities, situated as an embracing womb that births other universities. You can’t get to Bayero University Kano without passing through Zaria, The University of Maiduguri can only accept you if you pass through Zaria, Usman Danfodio University would be glad you hiked through Zaria to get to Sokoto .
Late Professor Femi Odekunle was given the options of two universities to be employed in the 1970s, to the chagrin of all, he chose Ahmadu Bello University Zaria,above the University of Ibadan! That’s how magnetic Zaria is.
ABU Zaria is still the only university you cannot be harassed by anyone – all forms of violence exist not in the school. Cultism is a distant reference.
The place is a leveler of status, the son of a governor is reduced to the same level with the son of a peasant. Ostentatious displays in Zaria is a no no- everyone lives in dictates of classlessness .
Going to ABU Zaria is akin to fulfilling part of your obligations on earth- in ABU, the path to heaven guides are indoctrinated in you. You can’t be an Abusite and be far from God…we are guided by celestial creeds.
You may say, some of our leaders are products of ABU, you can be reminded that not all angels are godly. So, we can understand your reservation.
Again, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria is not just an institution,it is a world birthed in the philosophy of greatness. That we are ahead, naturally is not happenstance, it’s the manifestation of the dream of the founder, Sir Ahmadu Bello,the Gamji of Africa.
Naturally musing
