…Sa’adu Zungur University, Gadau, SAZUG…
Bauchi State government has immotalised Bauchi born poet, politician and reformer, Malam Sa’adu Zungur by naming the state university after him, 64 years after his death.
According to Wikipedia, Sa’adu Zungur was a Nigerian politician and poet who was among the early scholars in Northern Nigeria to call for the reform of the society through education during colonial rule.
Confirming the development on Sunday, via his social media page, the Bauchi state Commissioner of Education, Dr. Aliyu U. Tilde writes:
“Finally, Bauchi State Government has given a befitting recognition to one of its most illustrious sons and the father of progressive politics in the North, Malam Sa’adu Zungur, by naming its State University after him, 64 years after his death.
“The bill for the change of name was signed into law by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, on Friday, 5 August 2022.
“Born in 1910, Malam Sa’adu, as he is known at home, was not a favourite of the establishment and did not live long to witness the independence he so much struggled for. He died after a protracted illness in 1958.
“To date, no one has openly lampooned the Native Authorities and the colonialists as did the versatile scholar, journalist, radical poet, nationalist, revolutionary and politician. He was never short of courage for the cause of justice.
“Even after his death, the establishment did not seem to forgive him. Not even a prominent street could be named after him apart from a Primary School in Bauchi.
“It’s now over. This time, it is done. Alhamdulillah. Thank you, Your Excellency”.