Embracing challenges to succeed

Fatima Maikudi Abdullahi, was a director during the military era and served in different government schools as a teacher, vice principal and principal. Born in the early 40s to the family of Abdullahi and Maryam, Fatima is a native of Agaie in Niger State

THERE WAS A TIME MY DAD CALLED ALL OF US AND TOLD US, HE WASN’T GOING TO LEAVE A KOBO FOR US IN THE BANK. AND THAT HIS INHERITANCE TO US IS HANGING ON TO OUR EDUCATION

Educational background

I had a very interesting education pursuit. I started my primary school at Abuja Dawaki Primary School, presently Suleja. I spent a year there before my dad was moved to Kontagora. When I got there I attended Kontagora Primary School. There was a special school then for girls in Niger province, it was a school based on merit. After I completed my primary school I went to Kano. I had a choice to either go to Queens School Ilorin and spend five years, or attend the secondary school in Kano for three years and become a teacher. I chose to go to Kano and attended Women’s Teachers College Kano. I spent three years there and trained as a Grade III teacher.

On completion, I enrolled into a school where I could teach from primary one to four,then if you were good, you could go back to school for two years then become a Grade II teacher, which will enable you teach the upper classes. After my training in Grade III I got married, had a child and decided I wanted to go back to teach the other primary level in Kano. At the time I was teaching, Sokoto had opened its Advanced Teachers College, I enrolled.We were the first set, 76 students in the whole school - that was in 1970. I spent three years in the school and went back to teach in a secondary school. I taught for a year; I had this craving to get a degree, especially when I saw people bragging about being degree holders. That made me decide I was going to get a degree. An English lecturer helped me because the course I wanted to study was not taught in Nigeria, it was child psychology. He helped me with the admission processes into the University of Wisconsin Madison, USA.

I had two children then. I left them with my parents because my dad was a champion for education. So because my dad and my husband had that understanding, I was allowed to go and further my education in 1974. I had a good grade and met a professor who advised that if I combined my courses with summer courses, I could get my degree in one year. I did that and also enrolled for my Masters in the same school and finished in 1976. I got my degree in 1975.

Career

In between my educational pursuit, I taught in schools and went back to further my education. Before I went for my degree programme I was teaching in a secondary school called Government Secondary School, Bida. When I came back after my degree, I was made the vice principal of the school. From there I went to the Provincial Girl’s Secondary School as principal, I was there for eight years. During that period the then military governor of Niger State, Col David Mark, I was made the chairperson of my local government council. That was my break from the teaching career. I later became a sole administrator in Suleja, that was brief, before the handing over of the non-zero party system. After that I went back to the ministry, then as a principal in Girl’s Science College Minna, in 1988. In 1989 I was posted to the ministry as director women education. During the period of the Better Life for Rural Women, I was moved from the ministry of education to the Women Commission. I was there as a director in personnel management and finance, from where I retired voluntarily.

Growing up

I grew up with very loving parents, I was the second child. My dad moved around, we had all the love, interest and the things to grow around. One thing I remember then in our home was that my mum never allowed anyone to speak another language aside from our dialect - Nupe. That was my saving grace because we never stayed in Nupe land until my dad retired. We had all the care and attention; my father loved education and ensured we all went to school. In fact it was a policy my dad had; if we were going to get married, the husband will sign an undertaking that he will allow you to work, and if you have an opportunity to go for further studies he will not stop you. That was what made me go abroad and do all I did. There was a time my dad called all of us and told us, he wasn’t going to leave a kobo for us in the bank. And that his inheritance to us is hanging on to our education, he said he was ready to train all of us to whatever level we wanted to attain. And that was what he did, he didn’t leave a kobo for anybody.

Challenges faced

Going to school with a baby; when I went for my Grade II, my first child was only four months old. I was staying outside the school premises because married women were not allowed in the hostel. Whatever the situation, I must go home to look after my baby. There was a day I can’t forget in my life. During the coup in 1967, there was a curfew restricting movement after 6pm. Just before the time of the curfew there was a heavy rainfall and people kept asking me how I would go home because it was past 6pm. I told them I couldn’t leave my baby behind! So I hit the road. My saving grace, however, were the tall corn stalks, or I would have been shot.

What I did was that I just carried the keg of drinking water I fetched in school, it was still raining, and so what I did was that when there was thunder and lightning, I would run faster. As I ran into a maize farm, a military vehicle drove past, then they were directed to shoot

on sight. The corn stalk saved me.When I got home the people looking after my baby where worried, normally my baby would be sleeping but I met him awake.

Life’s lessons

Whatever it is you are looking for, do it the honest way, don’t take short cuts. If you don’t wait for your time to get whatever God has destined for you, you won’t find it easy, there is always the other side that will befall you.

Philosophy of life

My own policy in life, is be honest, hang on to trust especially if it has been given to you by somebody.

Difference between my time and now

Then I was seriously looking forward to owning a degree, but now our younger generations are so much in a hurry to acquire the flamboyant life. Someone at the young age of 15 or 20 can be seen with a very flashy car, and a house. They are all in a hurry to acquire wealth by all means. Money has become the in thing and there is no value attached to it. It doesn’t matter how it comes anymore, as long as you have money, it is okay. Back in the days, the moment they see you are mature, they expect you to get married. There was a lot of talk, people even confronted my dad. There was a time I came back from Kano, someone walked up to my dad and was asking him if I wasn’t mature enough to get married. He told the person that it was my decision to make. He said if I wanted to further my education, then so be it, all that matteredwas that I lived a decent life. Many of my friends were married off.

It was rough then, but if you had parents that were supportive like I had, then it would be easy.

Aspirations as a child

I wanted to be a nurse, I admired the white uniform. My dad told me then that if I became a nurse, I would leave my children because I would go for night duty.

Fond childhood memories

My dad used to take us wherever it was he went to, especially when we were on holidays. When we were in Suleja he took us to places like Gurara Falls and other nice places. I attended boarding house all through so I always looked forward to going home. He always told us that when we wanted anything, we shouldn’t ask anybody but him.

Most cherished gift

I have a handbag my dad bought for me from the USA. The front is in velvet and the bag is in leather, I carry that bag till date and love it.

Favourite fashion item

I love atampa(African fabric material).

Fashion accessory you will never be caught wearing

Long earrings and big necklaces. I love simple costume jewelries.

Three must have fashion accessories

Bangles, earrings and rings

Best travel destination and why

Mecca, because when you go there you are combining two things; tourism and spirituality. There is this tranquility; you pray, and after that you can go shopping and still go back to pray if you want.

How I relax

Listen to music. I am the old school type, country music. I also like Quranic songs.

Best food

I love ‘swallow’, it can be amala, semo or even tuwo with beans soup, amala and ewedu then semo with okra soup.

Definition of style

It should be simple, dress to suit yourself. Don’t dress for someone else, dress to feel comfortable.

Favourite fashion designer

My daughter Fatima Jibril Emeje of Basic Stitches.

Favourite designer perfume

I love perfumes, Lady Million, White Diamond, Ghost, they are so many.

Favourite designer bags

I love Louis Vuitton

Favourite kind of shoes

I don’t wear shoes but slippers.

Advice from mum that stuck

My mother believed that a woman should strive through whatever lawful means she can to get something for herself. She said you must always share, because if you share it in good course, God will replenish whatever you have shared. My mother said you must never deceive yourself, or stretch yourself to a level beyond your limit. She also said don’t give up in whatever you want to do in life, keep trying.

Favourite sport

I love football, I am an ardent follower of Manchester United and Barcelona. In the university I missed lectures to go and watch football, I can wake up at 4am to watch football.

Favourite colour

Shades of green and brown

Favourite weather

Any weather aside heat.

Favourite day of the week

Friday because it is a day you set aside and listen to sermons. Growing up I see people dressing up to attend the mosque on Fridays.

Life’s achievements

I was able to raise my children into responsible and respected adults. They are all educated and well trained and established.

Role models

My mother is my role model. Thirty five years after my father passed on, my mother kept the family together. My dad had 19 children from three wives, I was the second of all the children. When my dad died my mother took the responsibility of taking care of all of us. When you come to our home for events, you won’t know my dad was not around. In the community my mum was known as a strict disciplinarian, she didn’t believe in spare the rod and spoil the child. My mum had a forgiving heart, immediately you apologised sincerely, she forgave.

What I would tell youths of today

I would advise them to be patient, they should take things gradually. You can’t run before you crawl. These days they don’t read, instead they copy and come out with a beautiful certificate they can’t defend. We have doctors and nurses who are killing people, because when others where learning they weren’t there. They should stop the mad rush for material things, it is killing most of our young generation. Parents, especially those who are well to do should not expose their children to too much wealth.

I LOVE FOOTBALL, I AM AN ARDENT FOLLOWER OF MANCHESTER UNITED AND BARCELONA. IN THE UNIVERSITY I MISSED LECTURES TO GO AND WATCH FOOTBALL, I CAN WAKE UP AT 4AM TO WATCH FOOTBALL