By: Amanatullah Yusuf
It’s no longer news that Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, recently concluded its combined 38th, 39th, 40th, and 41st convocation ceremony. These events, which celebrate the success and graduation of its students, were attended by dignitaries across the nation. Given that this ceremony occurs once every four years, it’s important to ensure a strong attendance from all those that posses exalt ranks.
A distinct feature of this event however is the presence of the dignitaries clad in their native attires, you would expect them to be clad in well-tailored suits because this is after all a celebration instead of the completion of the higher western education.
After the invasion of the British and the inception of English laws into our laws in 1912, Nigerians have slowly gravitated towards the Western way of life and even made one of their ways which is Education a right of all Nigerians. Following the introduction of education in Nigeria in 1923, Nigerians have over the years enrolled children as young as two (2) in schools and they would have to move from class to class until after graduating from the University when it now becomes their discretion to pursue their masters and PhD, a lifestyle which shows how deep the western ways have eaten deep into us. However, seeing graduates rocking their native attires is making their silent statement that “You may have forced your way in but you haven’t taken my culture away from me”.
It is of no surprise to see people now with English dresses claiming they do not like native attires because they are uncomfortable but how uncomfortable could it get wearing your native attires and wearing a convocation gown over it these guys are wearing it and wearing it proud.
Seeing how 98 percent of the dignitaries are dressed in their native attires and some topping it with turbans, my heart swells with pride at how we are slowly but steadily receding to our original dressing and moving away from what was introduced to us. Their dressing projects the feel of pre-colonial northern Nigeria hosting an event for the Western colonizers, their dressing asserting that we are who we are despite following what you’ve introduced.
Let’s discuss the dignitaries occupying the front row at the event. They are not university VCs or well-known scholars; rather, they are Emirs from powerful Hausa states, representing the “hausa bakwai.” Their arrival was accompanied by a grand procession, showcasing their culture with pride, showing the richness of northern culture and their unapologetic flaunting of it.
Despite the number of Nigerians afflicted with the “japa syndrome” and the need to be like the Westerners, it is a happy occasion to see that there are still Nigerians who have stayed true to their culture and portray it in their dressing.