Universities as melting pots for unity in diversity

Unity is essential in any society aspiring to develop and guarantee the welfare of its people. It is only with unity that collective decisions can be taken for the betterment of the society and be implemented. A society that lacks, unity finds it hard to develop.

The university is an environment where the quest for unity can be propagated and fulfilled, since it is a platform where people, especially youths with different religious background, cultural origin and all forms of diversities are brought together to pursue common goal of acquiring knowledge and in the process interact with each other on social basis, so as to become socially oriented members of the society.
Universities in Nigeria, thankfully, serve the purpose of an environment where people come together from all walks of life and across the nation to co-exist peacefully, interact freely and share their experiences.
Part of the means through which unity is promoted in the university system is through staging of activities and by state, tribal, departmental and associations and ethnic clubs where people from a particular state or tribe showcase their cultures. Through this, others who have different cultures or come from a different state get to know about the ways of life of others and even go a long way to appreciate them. Unity is also promoted through some practical academic engagements among students.
Like in Bayero University Kano Department of Mass Communication, a programme known as “MOCK ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING” which is a practical project offers opportunities for students to come together and work in harmony and in the process relate peacefully to achieve excellence.
“WORLD TRADE ORGANISATIONS MOCK SUMMIT” of department of political science is another academic engagement that always helps in promoting unity among students. Such engagements break all cleavages and micro-nationalism and promote unity, solidarity and patriotism among students of different religion and ethnic backgrounds.
Sporting activities in universities between members of diverse culture is also helping tremendously in promoting unity among Nigerian students.
Living in the same hostels and meeting daily in lecture halls is paramount in the promotion of unity in Nigeria universities, because that permit or give the opportunity for intimate interaction with people who, if not for their coming together by coincidence in the university, do not know each other, not to talk of knowing about each other’s culture.
Nigeria is a country of people that are heterogeneous in nature, but the need to have unity and continue to exist as one entity is pertinent. This is why the university system is there to provide a platform for youths and young people to interact, co-exist, and learn about their differences and appreciate them. It’s also a platform that inculcates togetherness. The popular saying that “there is strength in diversity” is important, so also there should be unity if not absolute unity in diversity.
University students after graduation are expected to be ambassadors’ of unity in the society and when this is done Nigeria will become a nation where unity, progress, peace and prosperity will prevail.
Hauwa is a final year student of Mass Communication, Bayero University Kano

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