Safiyya Ahmad has won the 2019 BBC Hausa Short Story Writing Competition, with a story titled: “Maraici” (Ophanhood) after beating 25 other contestants.
Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf, who is among the three judges, announced the winner at the Awards Night of the BBC Hausa Short Story Writing Competition held in Abuja on the 25th of October 2019.
“Maraici” is the story of Karima, a girl, who was abandoned as a baby, grew up in an orphanage and was adopted by Hajiya Babba, a benefactor that puts her through primary and secondary education.
Karima was later married off to Alhaji Tukur, who at the end divorced her, and she was rejected by Hajiya Babba.
Safiyya Ahmad, who is married with a daughter, called on those who were not able to win to try next time as they may be lucky.
The first runner up is Jamila Abdullahi Rijiyar Lemo with a story titled: “Ba A Yi Komai Ba” (Nothing New). Jamila showed how women were being abused by men for not having male children.
In the story, Uwani faces a lot of discrimination, verbal abuse, and rejection from her husband and his relatives because of her inability to conceive a male child.
The second runner up is “A Juri Zuwa Rafi” by Jamila Babayo. The story, “A Juri Zuwa Rafi” (It’s a matter of time) relates to one Aisha, who was raped by a wealthy man in the society. Being vulnerable, the community because of the man’s influence wanted her to stop the issue so that the poor girl will be protected but her mother, Laraba, vows to fight for her daughter’s rights.
Jamila Babayo, thanked God and appreciated BBC for organising the contest, saying:
“It exposes a lot to people to ponder upon depending upon the story line.
BBC has tried especially as the contest bring about unity, supporting the Hausa culture, tradition and also the competition indicated that the Hausa language is waxing stronger.”
Newsmen report that the contest which is fourth edition had Safiyya Jibril as the first winner in 2018.
