Part 2
We kept pets, i.e., cats & dogs & grew lots of plants, crops, veggies, etc. It was unusual if you didn't rear chickens in your compound.
I'm aware ABU Zaria is not the same way we left it. Zaria has become quite a strict Muslim city & many Christians have to adhere to their lifestyle.
It's sad that a Federal institution is subject to such rules, but intolerance has deeply influenced the atmosphere. We left Zaria in 1994 & by then once a Christian (Northern origin or otherwise) who is eligible is voted in or ascends to the position of power, a riot will take place.
They would claim the Christians want to dominate them, take over their land, etc. It doesn't matter if this christian is from Kaduna state or answers an Arabic name like some of them do.
Let's also remember, this is a Federal University & not a State owned institution. Competence ought to take precedence over religious background, but hey, we are in Nigeria, so...
Before we left, cattle rearers kept finding cracks in the walls & probably expanding them to enter the university. The cows go to the residential area, eat your crops & drop their waste all over your compound. If you try to challenge the cattle herdsman or herdsmen, they could show/threaten you with a dagger. We all know what the dagger has metamorphosed to.
We left, & many more families left afterwards. I grew up on a street with so much diversity. We had one Hausa/Muslim family. We also had a British family living opposite my house. When they left, Germans moved in. There were Indians further down the road. We had Yorubas, Nupes, Igalas, Idomas, Igbos, Tivs, Itsekiris, Ibibios, Efiks, Biroms, etc My hood was a mini Nigeria like it was supposed to be. Then extreme intolerance happened to it.
We have all witnessed what intolerance can do to a community. Can we all decide to do better in our mini ecosystems? Promote Competence & Merit & do away with Favourites or Quota systems. If we do & cascade such down to the Grassroots Nigeria will thrive and e.x.p.l.o.d.e with greatness once again.
Musings of
@nwadiutoikontaodiran
Dance steps by ABU families in Lagos.
Choreography
@slim.blc of Body Language Studios.