This man and his son are both in JSS1C in the school where I serve as a youth corps member in Minna, Niger State. He comes early to school and will always be attentive. I’ve known him since January but it was today I decided to ask him some questions. He cannot speak English language, so I had to use a girl who understands Hausa, English, and Yoruba languages as my interpreter and she really helped. Read the excerpts of our conversation below…

A: What’s your name Baba?
Y: Yusuf Umar
A: And your son’s name?
Y: Abdulraaj Umar
A: Baba, how old are you?
Y: I won’t mention my age because other students are here, except if you want me to reduce it.
A: (I wouldn’t give up on that easily, so I devised another means…) How old is yaro (your son)?
Y: 13years
A: So how old were you when Raaj was born?
Y: I can’t remember
A: (I paused… gave him an uncompromising look that says “I won’t give up”)
Y: (he held a boy beside him…) I was exactly like this boy when Shehu Shagari became the president

(I turned to the boy, asked him his age, he replied “15years” and Baba nodded in agreement. On getting home, I did the calculations and realized that since Shehu Shagari became the president in 1979, Baba was born in 1964, which means he’s 52 years old!)

A: How many wives do you have?
Y: (gesticulated with his index finger…) One
A: What’s her name and where’s she?
Y: Her name is Hannatu and she’s is Tayi village
A: What’s your occupation?
Y: Farming
A: What kind of agricultural products do you produce?
Y: Guinea corn, millet, tam, and maize.
A: Why did you come back to school?
Y: (smiles…) I want to finish secondary school so that I can give proper accounts on my farm.
A: (smiles back…) What’s your favourite subject?
Y: I love all the subjects, especially Mathematics, Agricultural Science (understandable though), and Social Studies.
A: How do your classmates and seniors treat you?
Y: They respect me.
A: How do teachers treat you?
Y: They also treat me with respect.
A: Has your son ever offended you in school that you had to discipline him the “daddy” way?
Y: (laughs…) No
A: Will you still marry another wife?
Y: My wife is from God. If God gives me another one, I’ll marry, but if God does not, I won’t.

I love this man. He’s respectful and humble. He’d always bow to greet me anytime any day. And he treats his son with much care.

cc: lalasticlala dominique

Inspiring story.


Laughter is timeless, Education has no age and dreams are forever.

Good one,learning is from cradle to grave .

Education has no limit.

TheAsegun:
This man and his son are both in JSS1C in the school where I serve as a youth corps member in Minna, Niger State. He comes early to school and will always be attentive. I’ve known him since January but it was today I decided to ask him some questions. He cannot speak English language, so I had to use a girl who understands Hausa, English, and Yoruba languages as my interpreter and she really helped. Read the excerpts of our conversation below…

A: What’s your name Baba?
Y: Yusuf Umar
A: And your son’s name?
Y: Abdulraaj Umar
A: Baba, how old are you?
Y: I won’t mention my age because other students are here, except if you want me to reduce it.
A: (I wouldn’t give up on that easily, so I devised another means…) How old is yaro (your son)?
Y: 13years
A: So how old were you when Raaj was born?
Y: I can’t remember
A: (I paused… gave him an uncompromising look that says “I won’t give up”)
Y: (he held a boy beside him…) I was exactly like this boy when Shehu Shagari became the president

(I turned to the boy, asked him his age, he replied “15years” and Baba nodded in agreement. On getting home, I did the calculations and realized that since Shehu Shagari became the president in 1979, Baba was born in 1964, which means he’s 52 years old!)

A: How many wives do you have?
Y: (gesticulated with his index finger…) One
A: What’s her name and where’s she?
Y: Her name is Hannatu and she’s is Tayi village
A: What’s your occupation?
Y: Farming
A: What kind of agricultural products do you produce?
Y: Guinea corn, millet, tam, and maize.
A: Why did you come back to school?
Y: (smiles…) I want to finish secondary school so that I can give proper accounts on my farm.
A: (smiles back…) What’s your favourite subject?
Y: I love all the subjects, especially Mathematics, Agricultural Science (understandable though), and Social Studies.
A: How do your classmates and seniors treat you?
Y: They respect me.
A: How do teachers treat you?
Y: They also treat me with respect.
A: Has your son ever offended you in school that you had to discipline him the “daddy” way?
Y: (laughs…) No
A: Will you still marry another wife?
Y: My wife is from God. If God gives me another one, I’ll marry, but if God does not, I won’t.

I love this man. He’s respectful and humble. He’d always bow to greet me anytime any day. And he treats his son with much care.

wow....abok! They go school

I'm impressed by his humility and determination. I know some of his mates may mock him for doing this but he doesn't care and that's one of d spirits of success; knowing what u want and going for it irrespective of pples opinion.

God bless ur hustle.

TastyTuoyo:
Inspiring story.

Laughter is timeless, Education has no age and dreams are forever.

You're right!

atikubaba:
Good one,learning is from cradle to grave .

One dies when he stops learning

UrennaNkoli:
Education has no limit.

That's true!

Alejhandro:
I'm impressed by his humility and determination. I know some of his mates may mock him for doing this but he doesn't care and that's one of d spirits of success; knowing what u want and going for it irrespective of pples opinion.

God bless ur hustle.

Amen!

This man should be an inspiration to MANY!