FUAZ Vice-Chancellor Opens Capacity Building Workshop on Humanitarian Values and Scholarly Reflection

The Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Education, Zaria, Prof. Yahaya Isa Bunkure, has declared open a one-day capacity building workshop organized by Department of Arabic, held at the Dr. Suleiman Balarabe Senate Chambers.

In his opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor commended the organizers of the workshop for the initiative, describing it as a laudable effort.

The workshop, themed “A Reflection on the Eternal Light: A Humanitarian Legacy of Fethullah Gülen,” was organized by the Department of Arabic, Federal University of Education, Zaria, in collaboration with the Danfodiyo Centre for Research and Islamic Studies, Zazzau Emirate Palace, and Nusret Educational and Cultural Co. Ltd., attracting scholars and participants from various institutions.

Prof. Bunkure noted that the theme was thoughtfully selected and expressed the University’s pride in hosting a workshop that promotes humanitarian values and scholarly reflections through the lens of history.

He urged participants to put attention to the presentations while encouraging other departments to emulate the Department of Arabic by organizing similar programmes that promote academic engagement and interfaith understanding.

According to him, such initiatives foster mutual respect and peaceful coexistence. He appreciated the organizers for choosing the University as the host of the programme.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Head of the Department of Arabic, Dr. Awwal Muhammad Sani, welcomed participants and stated that the workshop reflects the spirit of academic and cultural collaboration between organizations, emphasizing that the initiative affirms the shared commitment to advancing research, developing intellectual and human capacities.

Speaking on behalf of Nusret Educational and Cultural Co. Ltd., Malam Saminu Musa Ahmad explained that the organization is a non-governmental body focused on educational and cultural services, and has been resourceful to the success of similar workshops in many other institutions.

Also speaking, Associate Professor Tijjani Yusuf Lamido of the Danfodiyo Centre for Research and Islamic Studies, Zazzau Emirate Palace, expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor for approving the hosting of the programme, whil also conveying the goodwill message of the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, who was unavoidably absent.

The first guest speaker, Professor Sani Yusuf Fatika of Kaduna State University, presented a paper on reflections on the Prophetic Biography through The Eternal Light by Fethullah Gülen, while the second guest speaker, Dr. Rabiu Abdullahi Basawa of Federal University of Education, Zaria made a scholarly presentation on "The genius of Fethullah Gulen in building the human being."

Professor Abdullahi Aminu of the Faculty of Education, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, provided an academic bridge translation of the two articles into English.

Also in attendance included the Acting University Librarian, Malam Tijjani Abdul Ahmed; the Dean, Faculty of Nigerian and Foreign Languages, Dr. Haruna Abbas; the Director, Quality Assurance, Dr. Tunde Adeshina; the Dean of Undergraduate Studies (UDUS Affiliation), Dr. Benjamin C. Duruh; among other prominent personalities.