Beatrice Gondyi Bauchi
The Vice Chancellor of Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU), Bauchi, Professor Fatimah Tahir, has called on Nigerians to embrace peaceful coexistence, tolerance and mutual respect, saying the country’s rich cultural diversity should serve as a foundation for national unity rather than division.
She made the appeal during the Second Sa’adu Zungur University Cultural Exhibition and Language Fair (SAZUCELF 2026), organised by the university’s Centre for Languages and Culture Studies.
Professor Tahir said the annual event has become an important platform for celebrating Nigeria’s cultural and linguistic heritage while promoting understanding among people from different backgrounds.
Reflecting on the maiden edition held in 2025, she noted that the programme exposed the remarkable diversity that exists within the university community.
“The first edition clearly demonstrated that our diversity is our strength. It introduced us to languages and cultures within the university that many of us had never encountered before, and this year’s event has further reinforced the importance of unity in diversity,” she said.
According to the Vice Chancellor, institutions of higher learning have a responsibility to encourage cultural interaction as a means of fostering peace, harmony and mutual respect.
“We can only achieve lasting peace when we learn to tolerate and appreciate one another. Our gathering here today reflects our collective commitment to living together peacefully, respecting our differences and celebrating our shared humanity,” she added.
To preserve the institution’s cultural heritage, Professor Tahir directed the Centre for Languages and Culture Studies to establish a documentation unit that will archive the various languages, traditions, cuisines and cultural artefacts represented within the university.
She also proposed the creation of a permanent cultural corner where artefacts from different ethnic nationalities in the university would be displayed to preserve and promote Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage for future generations.
The Vice Chancellor commended the Centre’s Director and members of the organising committee for sustaining the annual festival and promoting intercultural understanding among staff and students.
Earlier, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Dr. Bala Abdullah Azare, described Nigeria’s cultural and linguistic diversity as invaluable national assets that strengthen unity and define the country’s identity.
He explained that the festival was designed to encourage appreciation of indigenous languages and traditions, deepen mutual understanding among members of the university community and promote cooperation across cultural divides.
Dr. Azare thanked the university management for its continued support, urging participants to proudly showcase their cultural heritage while promoting healthy competition, peaceful coexistence and mutual respect.
The colourful event featured participation from no fewer than 17 cultural groups, alongside two Hausa language clubs, Sashen Hausa and Gamji, which displayed indigenous cuisines, language exhibitions, traditional music and cultural dances.
Highlights of the festival included a guided tour of the exhibition stands by the Vice Chancellor, cultural performances by pupils of the University Staff School, the investiture of Professor Fatimah Tahir as the university’s “Culture Ambassador,” as well as vibrant traditional music and dance performances that showcased Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity.
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