By Aliyu Baba Mohammed
In an extraordinary display of gratitude that has touched hearts across Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria, 300-level students of Mass Communication Department recently surprised their beloved lecturer, Professor Ibrahim Jimoh, with an overwhelming collection of gifts that spoke volumes about the impact one devoted educator can have on young minds.
According to a viral video, the surprise unfolded during what Professor I. Jimoh believed there would be a regular lecture to round up the session’s class meetings. Instead, he experienced a classroom transformed by appreciation, where tables groaned under the weight of thoughtfully chosen presents: bag of rice, crates of egg, packages of soft drinks and bottle-water, aromatic perfumes, Viva detergent, and numerous other household essentials/items. Each item represented more than mere material value; they were tokens of deep respect for a lecturer whose teaching philosophy extends far beyond the confines of academic curriculum.
The gesture reflects Professor Ibrahim Jimoh's unique approach to lecturing, where genuine care/kindness for students meets continuous commitment to knowledge transfer. His students described him as a lecturer who does not merely deliver lectures but invests his time and energy in their intellectual and personal development with remarkable dedication to mentoring. This authentic connection has fostered an environment where learning flourishes, not through fear or obligation, but through mutual respect and genuine responsiveness for the subject matter the Professor teaches.
Presenting the gifts on behalf of the entire class members, Nafeesat Muhammed Olúwaṣeun told the lecturer that the gesture is not in any way trying to bribe, influence or buy the his conscience, but to show gratitude for his kindness, compassion and genuine efforts. She described him as a father to the students and not just a lecturer.
The Professor’s reaction to the surprise revealed the profound impact of his students' gesture. Visibly moved, he said, "I have only watched a video of this kind of gesture to a Lecturer online, but I never thought that one day, I would experience it. I simply teach passionately to give back to the society that produced me, not to receive any reward(s) like this because I can afford them. I have been teaching for over 21 years, and even before then, I taught my mates and many others. So, teaching is just part of my life and soul," he added. His words captured the rarity of such an off-the-cuff of students’ appreciation to him, highlighting how exceptional both his teaching approach and his students' response truly are.
Meanwhile, the gratitude has kindled conversations about the transformative power of passionate teaching and the lasting bonds formed when educators approach their calling with genuine heart. In an era where student-teacher relationships often remain formal and distant, this celebration at ABU, Zaria stands as a beautiful reminder that kindness, dedication, and authentic care for student success never go unnoticed.
Beyond the immediate joy it brought to Professor Ibrahim Jimoh, this heartfelt gesture serves as a powerful proof to the value of university lecturers–a message that extends far beyond campus boundaries. When students voluntarily pool resources to honour their lecturer(s) with essential household items, it emphasizes the often-overlooked reality of academic life: that dedicated educators frequently sacrifice personal comfort while pouring themselves into their students' futures. This kind of voluntary solidarity display of appreciation could serve as a wake-up call to government and/or its officials and policymakers about the urgent need to better recognize and support lecturers/educators.
The instinctive nature of the students' gratitude highlights what systematic appreciation from government institutions could achieve on a larger scale. If young students, despite their limited resources, can recognize and honour educational excellence, surely those in positions of authority can implement meaningful policies that improve lecturer welfare, enhance university/tertiary institution infrastructure, and create an environment where such dedication is not just appreciated by students, but actively supported by the system itself. The gifts may eventually be consumed, but the lesson about appreciation, respect, and human connection–and its potential to inspire institutional change, will undoubtedly strike a chord far beyond the classroom walls.
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