From Shuaib Alhassan Umar
An old students’ reunion should rise above a mere social gathering filled with idle chatter or the glorification of a few who have attained prominence. Instead, it ought to be a meaningful and reflective assembly, one that thoughtfully reconnects participants with their shared past, not just for nostalgia, but as a purposeful lens through which the present can be understood and the future more clearly envisioned.
Such a reunion should serve as a humane and inclusive platform where individuals of modest means, or those facing life’s challenges, can find encouragement, support, and upliftment from those who have progressed further.
It should also provide a solemn opportunity for remembrance, where prayers are offered for departed colleagues and deliberate efforts are made to support the widows and orphans they may have left behind.
Indeed, there is value in celebration, the laughter, the jokes, the shared memories, and the gentle joy of revisiting earlier days.
Yet, the true essence of such a gathering lies in its power to reaffirm a fundamental truth: life is neither a race nor a competition.
Each person’s journey unfolds according to a unique destiny, often beyond human control. Therefore, success should not be measured solely by wealth or status, but by virtues such as humility, contentment, and intellectual growth.
By fostering such an atmosphere, a students’ reunion becomes a true symbol of belonging.
Participants should be inspired to face life’s challenges with resilience, guided by education, sustained by hope, and strengthened through perseverance.
They should also be encouraged to uphold enduring values such as faith, loyalty, and integrity. In this regard, inviting our esteemed former teachers to share their wealth of experience would add immense value.
In conclusion, I firmly believe that by embracing these ideals, we can achieve the true purpose of a students’ reunion, dispelling feelings of inferiority and replacing them with a shared sense of dignity, unity, and genuine fellowship.
May Almighty Allah guide and bless us all.
Shuaib writes from Federal University of Science and Technology, Kabo, Kano and can be reached via 08038477771
