I LOVE MY ME TIME, IN THE SENSE THAT I CHERISH SITTING ALONE TO BROOD OVER THE DAY’S HAPPENINGS

I am a trained teacher. Even though that was not what I wanted, I found myself in the teaching profession. And whatever comes my way, I try to be excellent in it. I was a teacher in Sokoto and I rose through the ranks to become a vice principal, academics. My husband was transferred to Abuja, so I had to join him. That was when I dropped the teaching line and joined the NYSC in 1998. Since then, I had no regrets because the NYSC is an informal way of teaching. Day in, day out, you deal with youths. You counsel, teach and guide them, so it is like a continuation of the teaching line I left. In the NYSC, I rose through the ranks to become a deputy director.Then last year I was posted to Gusau in Zamfara State as state coordinator. I was later transferred to Kaduna in June 2018.

How was growing up like?

Growing up was full of beautiful and fond memories. I grew up in the midst of brothers and sisters, cousins and people that were not even related to me. Ours was an extended family. When you go to Jos in Plateau State and mention the name of Ahmadu Arabi (my uncle), whoever that is not a stranger knows him. There are so many beautiful and sweet memories because we grew up with so many people around us and with so much love. That is why I am always happy in the midst of people. Ahmadu Arabi is a much cherished uncle because after the death of my father in Kaduna, he took all of us and kept us under his fold. That’s how I grew up with all my brothers and sisters. Challenges in your career and personal life Alhamdulillah! I won’t really say I have faced many challenges.The only challenge I have faced is the issue of not belonging to a state where you are married, and as such, you cannot rise to a certain rank in your career. I faced that challenge in Sokoto when I became the vice principal and there was a vacancy for the post of a principal.Of course I was qualified, but because I did not belong to the state, they said they could not make me a principal. That action sort of demoralised me. But I put it by the side andmoved on. I won’t say there were challenges, but even if there were, they were part of my experiences in life; hence they are not regrettable. I also did not have any challenge in my personal life. Lessons of life Life has taught me to be humble and have great respect for people. Above all, it has taught me to be contented in life. Aspirations growing up Whenever I see women rising up, it sort of gingers me. When I was growing up, after my secondary school, I thought I was going to be a journalist. Not that I loved it, but I knew I wanted to study Mass Communication, but I found myself in the teaching line. Childhood memories I miss the togetherness I shared with my brothers and sisters while growing up. Sometimes I recall with nostalgia how we would sit down together at night, discussing issues. At the end of the holidays all of us would go back to our various boarding schools. When we came back home for holidays we had a forum of interaction.We shared songs, cracked jokes and laughed. That’s what I really miss. Joys of motherhood In addition to being a mother, I have an extended family in the corps members, so I derive pleasure in seeing them grow and become something in life. I thank Allah for his blessings. That joy grows in me when I see my children succeed. Best gift you cherish till date; and from who That is the education given to me. In all honesty, I owe a lot to my brother, Abubakar Yaya Arabi, who, after the death of my uncle, took care of us and gave us the education we needed despite the fact that most of my sisters stopped at primary school level. I also appreciate my husband, Alhaji Siddique Isa for letting me go out there to study and get the knowledge I needed. I am very grateful to those two people. Three fashion accessories you always have on you Of course, my earrings, a wristwatch, and sometimes, a bracelet.

How did you meet your husband?

Incidentally, I grew up with my husband. I told you that ours was a very large family. We studied the Qur’an in our house. My fatherin-law was with my father in Kaduna and he learnt that our uncle in Jos gave Qur’anic education to his children and other people. So my father decided to take my husband to Jos under my uncle’s tutelage. After secondary school, my husband had to go back to Sokoto to his father. When he grew up, I can remember my father-in-law telling me that he called my husband and asked if he had made up his mind on who he wanted to marry, and he said yes. He said he would like to go back to Jos and pick a wife. So my father-in-law was curious to know the person and my husband mentioned my name. My husband’s reason was that he knew when I was born and he went to my mother and carried me when I was younger and my father asked if he liked me. He kind of betrothed me to him; and behold, it came to be. It is not as if he looked for me, I was already there. His attributes you cherish most He is very caring and protective. He wouldn’t allow you to do anything yourself. He would say, ‘after all, you are under me, so it is an honour to do it for you.’ I cherish those attributes of his. Best travel destination and why The first time I went to Cyprus I loved the place because of its serenity. We went for my son’s graduation and I found out that the place was serene. It was summer time, so the place was surrounded with water.We went to the beach and saw so many things.They call it University City because it is a very small city of universities. It is a serene and tourist attraction site.. I get attracted to this kind of serenity, so Cyprus is my best travel destination.

How do you relax?

Do I really relax? Sometimes I love my me time, in the sense that I cherish sitting alone to brood over the day’s happenings. I do it while lying down in my bed, most times. After lunch, I lie down and brood over the decisions I took, whether they are good, and if I can reverse them. That is my own form of relaxation. Last good book you read and how it impacted on you It’s been long I read, but I can remember a book titled, Do not be sad. I cannot remember the author, but I can always remember reading through and how it taught us about traditions of the holy Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) - how he admonishes people not to be sad. It has gone a long way in