By Kenny Ola
A perfect start is to acknowledge the fact that this piece is born out of moments of intellectual and heart-to-heart discourse had with this motherly scholar and scholarly mother; Hauwa Muhammed Sani, PhD.
Beyond the relaxed ambience of her office, those moments were characterised by wit, wisdom and warmth bridging the gown to the town and the crown and compelling any thoughtful individual to see numerous reasons to put words into actions.
It is not the aim of this piece to only regale avid readers with the life story of Hauwa Muhammed Sani, but it is the concern of this piece to also establish the lessons that come with such life story and how such lessons can be beneficial to the lives of the general readership.
Now, is there any lesson to learn from the life journey of Hauwa Muhammed Sani? You may want to find out in the subsequent paragraphs.
The story of this doting and dutiful mother and teacher who is a senior lecturer in the department of English and Literary Studies and Deputy Director, Institute for Development, Research and Training, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria will suffice to send one into pensive thoughts startlingly wondering how she reaches the peak of her carrier against all odds.
Common in the cultural act of Hausa people is getting their young female children married at earlier stage of their lives. And such a cultural act plays immense roles in shaping the life of this phenomenal mother and teacher who, despite the ups and downs, is able to boast of many astounding academic achievements which have become unrealistic attainment to many of her contemporaries who share similar experiences with her.
Associate Professor Hauwa Muhammed Sani is a product of diligence crowned by grace. Born into an average family that cannot be described as being rich or poor, this virtuous and value-adding mother and teacher who hails from Bauchi state got married at 15 when she was in junior secondary school and experienced a delay of ten years after her secondary education.
Like a normal Hausa individual who is brought up in a Hausa community, the acquisition of Islamic and Arabic knowledge is made primary while other forms of learning are secondary. Hauwa Muhammed Sani, by virtue of her background, is well grounded in Islamic and Arabic knowledge and her sterling ability to combine such knowledge with western education teaches an important lesson which will be communicated in the later part of this article.
Notwithstanding the secondary state of western education in Northern Nigeria which makes its acquisition optional for many Hausa persons, especially the females, Hauwa Muhammed Sani, in her unusual quest for knowledge, managed to secure a degree in English and even emerged as one of the best graduating students of her set despite being heavily pregnant during her final examination.
This passionate and prosperous wife and mother did not stop there; she moved further to obtain her master’s degree and PhD in English Language. Indeed, Hauwa Muhammed Sani is a confirmation of the Yoruba saying that relentlessness is one of the many characteristic features of a futuristic person.
The touching story of this determined and diligent mother and teacher comes with many lessons for all to learn. One important lesson to learn from her life is that no condition is permanent and one’s current situation is never a reflection of one’s later destination.
Even if she might be so powerless that she could not do anything to restrain or curtail the cultural practices that have crept into the society she grew up, she does not let her past situation define her current destination. And this is evident in her becoming an Associate Professor of English and current Deputy Director, Institute for Development, Research and Training, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Another crucial lesson to grab from her story is that there is no competition in destiny and God’s grace should not be undermined in humans’ race. The life of Hauwa Muhammed Sani has demonstrated the reality that destiny may be delayed, it will come to reality.
Amidst all hurdles, the then fifteen-year-old Hauwa has now become an international scholar whose scholarly ingenuity has yielded multiple and prestigious awards from both national and international climes.
Frankly, human destiny is far ahead of human race and no human or horrific situation can stop one from radiating the Lord’s proclamations.
To even think that Hauwa Muhammed Sani cannot explicitly explain what caused her delay in the journey of her life further confirms the popular saying that “Delay is not denial” and this, as a result, teaches the lesson that when God delays you, He does that for particular reasons best known to Himself.
The ten-year delay that was experienced by Hauwa Muhammed Sani has finally culminated with her being a scholar of international repute and her recent nomination as the Deputy Director, Institute for Development, Research and Training, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
I round off this piece by mentioning that the story of the Deputy Director, Institute for Development, Research and Training, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria is a good example for everyone who is desirous of attaining accomplishments in life.
The life journey of Hauwa Muhammed Sani is a true reflection of God’s interference and human’s perseverance. It is my prayer that you live longer in soundness to witness more of academic achievements.
Kenny Ola writes from the Department of English Language, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
