El-Rufai pls rename Kaduna University after Chanchangi
Dear Sir, I am very sure that you know Late Alhaji Ahmadu Chanchangi, his life time, selfless service to humanity and his eventual death on April 19, 2017. We pray that Allah (SWT) grant him Jannat Firdaus Amin. Sir, late Chanchangi was a political personality whose religious philosophy was kindness to all of humanity. It was his kindness and belief that education is the premise of progress and development in every family, every society and every country that led to the establishment of one of the best community based private secondary schools Sheikh Abubakar Gumi College for the collective growth and development of people of Kaduna state. At present, he remained one of the few people with unmatched records of community development services (especially at trying moments) within Kaduna state and beyond.
Late Chanchangi led these multifaceted wars silently and with strong conviction that an investment in education of the youth, especially the less privileged ones, is in the best interest of the society and the country at large. Only Allah (SWT) can adequately reward this respected individual for what he has done for the hundreds of thousands of families, Kaduna state and the country at large. Late Chanchangi was a strong believer in the famous maxim that “Education for all is the responsibility of all”.
Perhaps examples can be cited of some of the good works that stood him out. For instance sir, in the whole of Kaduna state, arguably the headquarters of Northern Nigeria, with its wealthy and influential personalities, late Ahmadu Chanchangi was the only one that built and maintained the largest, standard functional community secondary school catering for millions of school aged children within the state and northern Nigeria at large, access to free, qualitative and all-inclusive cutting-edge secondary education. Most of these lucky people, (the school boys and girls of yesterday) are now well positioned and respected members of our immediate society, Kaduna state and the country at large. To these people and their families, late philanthropist is everything. They are what and where they are today because he had given them everything. Many people, including this writer, strongly believe that if Chanchangi were alive today, Kaduna state would, certainly have its own first private university.
Although Alhaji Ahmadu Chanchangi died some months ago, his imprint would remain visible to all including the blind within Kaduna and Nigeria until the end of time. He had not only provided many young people with the passport to their future, in forms of refined, qualitative and all-inclusive free education, but also ensured its sustenance up till the end of his fulfilled life in spite all odds, including a huge financial enticement from a reputable international NGO to take over one of his schools. He turned down this offer, for the benefit of our society, Kaduna state and the country at large. What a philanthropic act by the benevolent late Alhaji Ahmadu Chanchangi.
Common practice all over the world sir, is identifying individuals whose contributions to humanity, the society and the nation cannot be surpassed; and have monuments, edifices, structures, streets, government establishments named after them. This immortalizes the individual so that generation after generation would look up to him as a role model, an epitome of virtue and relying point for the development of the society. Some of these individuals have made so much contribution to our lives that naming structures or streets after them, is the least we can do to keep them with us long after they are dead.
Regrettably sir, up till this moment, Kaduna state government is yet to show any sign of honoring/remembering this selfless personality. It is still not too late to do that, hence this appeal to rename Kaduna State University KASU after the great Late Alhaji Ahmadu Chanchangi because of his immeasurable contributions to education. To the millions of his beneficiaries, it is time to show gratitude to this icon of our time. Chanchangi foundation could be a good start.
Abubakar Garba Bala, Fulbright FLTA Toastmasters International Generation Change Fellow-USIP agbala2010@gmail. com+966530917317