Kabira: A young girl’s educational sojourn in Northern Nigeria

The book under review contains a lucid story of a 13-year old girl Kabira who found herself in a dilemma. Her parents believe that the most important thing in the life of a girl-child is to be in her matrimonial home. They regard western education for the girl-child as a taboo.But Kabira is determined to […]

The book under review contains a lucid story of a 13-year old girl Kabira who found herself in a dilemma. Her parents believe that the most important thing in the life of a girl-child is to be in her matrimonial home. They regard western education for the girl-child as a taboo.
But Kabira is determined to challenge that archaic tradition. She promised herself to pursue education with all the means at her disposal. In the process, she has to cross many hurdles – her parents are poor, unable to sponsor her education. Her mother’s only concern is how her daughter can concentrate in hawking of groundnut to get enough money to buy utensils and other necessary accessories for her marriage.
In the end, however, Kabira weathered the storm and succeeded in winning the hearts of her parents, society and faced her education will all seriousness. She got a scholarship from her state government, which enabled her to study up to the university level.
“Kabira’s life story paints the picture of a determined young girl who pursued her dreams until she reached her goals in life. The fear her mother and the rest of the women in the neighbourhood had about educated girls remaining unmarried until they become old maids or that educated girls become wayward all turned to be untrue, as Kabira lived an impeccable life throughout the duration of her education. She also made a good name for herself. As a senior lecturer, a wife and the mother of two lovely children, she was a role model for all the girls in her father’s neighbourhood as every girl in the area attend school wanting to be like Kabira.” (Page 110).
Written in simple and comprehensible language, the book’s main theme centred on the importance of girl-child education in Northern Nigeria, where culture and tradition make parents more interested in marrying off their daughters than giving them education. Kabira singlehandedly changed the shallow thinking of her parents and got them to appreciate the importance of education. “Kabira, you must go to school! You must go to school up to any length you desire…” said Malam Musubahu, Kabira’s father (page 107). For a man who was initially hostile to the idea of his daughter going to school, this was a major turnabout. However, it was Kabira’s commendable performance that dramatically changed his position.
Some of the lessons worthy of note in the book include the vital role education plays as a means of communication and expression. Without education, one can find it very difficult to explain himself even if to protect oneself from danger. Consider an instance (on page 94-97), when the whole community fell at the mercy of Electricity Company that went on rampage; disconnecting their light due to their inability to offer proper explanation. Kabira came to the rescue of her people because of her education. She engaged them in dialogue, and properly offered convincing argument. The effort earned her community respite, just as she was rewarded by the company with recognition.
The menace of illiteracy is also depicted in the lives of Malam Musubahu and his community. They live in abject poverty because they lack knowledge to develop their trade. It is illiteracy that forced Malam Musubahu to rely on the dowry of his daughters to better himself and his family. And indeed, it is the same reason why he preferred to marry off his daughters than to send them to school. For instance, Kabira’s sisters and friends live in want and illiteracy in their respective matrimonial homes, compared to Kabira’s better life and good husband.
He who wants to succeed in life should borrow leaf from Kabira’s life style. One should be determined, hardworking and dogged in any endeavour. The way Kabira faced her study is a clear example to students.
The hand of a writer, they say, is blind and therefore the hand of Asma’u Baikie cannot be an exception wih regards to her book, Kabira. In this work, the reader can find some avoidable errors. The author used some Hausa and Arabic expressions wrongly. For example: “Ahuzubin lahi!” instead of “A’uzu billahi!” on page 58 and: “Allah yakiyaye!” on page 87 instead of “Allah Ya kiyaye.”
All said, the author did a good job in her book as it is sure to change the attitudes of many parents as far as educating the girl-child is concerned, just as students, parents and the general public are sure to find the book handy and very relevant. The publishers should correct the errors contained in the book in subsequent publications.
Asma’u Baikieo holds Bsc. Mass Communication from Bayero University, Kano and Masters in English Language from Nasarawa State University, Keffi. She is a senior Information Officer with the National Assembly, Abuja and enjoys reading and writing. Kabira is her third published work.