The Mother Who Refused to Let Me Become a Failure

By Dr MS Abubakar

I used to be a dullard, one of the most unserious pupils at Wulari 1 Primary School, Maiduguri. I was always the proud owner of the last position in class. I did not know how to read in Primary Four, and I did not care. I was simply an indolent and unserious pupil.

The only thing I was good at was drawing.

Then, one day, my mother, who had only a primary school education but was highly intelligent and fluent in Shuwa, Kanuri, Sara, French, English and Sango, decided to put an end to my nonsensical nonsense.

My father met her in Maiduguri and married her. He could barely read. My mother, however, decided that my education would not be left entirely to the school and the teachers because, from the look of things, if she allowed that to happen, I would become a future buffoon.

So, she took over my lessons.

Using the Longman English textbook, she taught me how to read. I will never forget the words: **“Hello, hello Titi, where are you going?”**

That was the first line I ever read in my life.

I still remember how she taught me arithmetic—hundredths, tenths, units and so on. I still remember the first time I raised my hand in class to show that I was ready to read.

She also taught me how to read French.

My mother was a strong woman, and from her, I learned self-reliance, resilience and perseverance.

She is gone.

Gone!

May God’s rahama continue to be with her.