ABOUT THIS BOOK
Description
School Life in Sokoto
At the compound of Hindat Government Girls College, I saw a crowd of young girls emerging. The school was a small government secondary school in Sokoto, a city rich in resources and bustling with activity. However, at that time, the city was suffering from economic pressure, poverty, and instability.
But those who truly understood the women of Sokoto knew they were disciplined, God-fearing, and committed to education. It wasn’t just that the girls of Sokoto were recognized—they were genuinely dedicated and self-controlled, shaped by the reality of their environment.
Among the students, I noticed a young girl hurrying along, seemingly heading home. Her friends called after her: “Deeyam! Deeyam! Wait for us!”
Unbothered, she kept moving. She was used to dealing with mischievous boys who annoyed her constantly. Today, like every day before, she ignored them. Her friend Neera caught up to her and said,
“Deeyam, every day you do this! Don’t you know how to wait for someone? And now, Haris has come to drop us home. Why are you walking alone?”
Deeyam didn’t respond, feeling frustrated at her friend’s interference. In her heart, she decided to continue on, thinking, “Be patient. I’ll catch up later.”
At Home
She arrived at her modest home, belonging to a poor but respectable family with a proper roof. She began organizing scattered belongings while her mother emerged from the washroom, scolding gently:
“No, schoolgirls, have you returned? Stop fooling around! Take care of yourself first—eat, rest, pray—then do these chores.”
“Yes, Mama,” she replied politely.
Her father, who had just arrived, said proudly,
“Allah bless you, my daughter. You are one in a thousand. You are better than many children. Sometimes raising so many kids can be challenging, but Allah has rewarded me with a good daughter like you, Deeyam.”
Deeyam smiled quietly and went inside, leaving her parents to chat.
Family and Siblings
Meanwhile, Neera and her friends chatted in the car on the way home. When Deeyam arrived home, she went straight to her mother. Her mother didn’t ask what had delayed her.
Her stepmother, however, questioned her:
“Neera, why are you so late? You’ve been gone a long time. Where were you?”
Neera responded tersely, “None of your business,” and passed by her stepmother. Her mother shook her head but continued her work, silently praying that Neera would stop arguing.
In their household, two wives lived with Alhaji Shu’aibu Mariya and Jamila. Mariya had three children—two boys and a girl who was the bride—while Jamila had five children—one boy and four girls. Among them, Neera and Jasmin lived similarly, full of curiosity about the world.
Neera, however, enjoyed greater popularity. She had a fair complexion, an attractive figure, and at twelve years old, already had the appearance of a young woman. By sixteen, her beauty had fully developed, drawing attention from many boys. Her father worked hard to ensure her proper upbringing, while her mother gave her freedom, trusting her to make her own choices without pressure.
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