By Abdulrasaq Kamaldeen and Muhammad Akindele
Amidst a jubilant atmosphere suffused with blessings, Nasiru Issa, a 14-year-old native of Sokoto state, awoke with a beaming smile upon learning of the convocation at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. The anticipated event promises to be a milestone in his young life–marking a momentous occasion he has yet to experience.
Issa engages in selling pure water as part of his daily routine, moving through the school grounds and classrooms while chanting his trade mantra, “Pure water da ma sai,” to attract customers quickly. During the convocation, he eagerly made his way to the venue to witness the joyous occasion.
Amidst the celebrations, Issa was ecstatic, his face beaming with joy. The event served as a motivational beacon for him, igniting aspirations to be celebrated as a future graduate.
“Gaskiya, I love the way these people are celebrated. And I wish to further my education as they do. And l wish to be there in the future and be among the celebrated ones.”
“The hindrance I am facing is that my parents are not rich and they can’t sponsor my education.”
Financial Struggles, Self Funding
Issa’s parents lack the means to sponsor his education. Despite this, driven by a passion for learning, he financed his studies through earnings from his small business selling pure water.
Additionally, one of his brothers has been a consistent support, providing financial assistance whenever possible.
“My parents are not rich and they are not capable of sponsoring my academics, but l am assisting myself with the little amount of money I gathered from my business. Also one of my brothers assisted me with some money to further my education.”
Issa stressed that if he can no longer find a means to sponsor himself, he will likely drop out someday, although he won’t love that outcome.
According to Business Day’s data analysis, the top three states struggling with the highest percentages of out-of-school children are Kebbi, Sokoto, and Yobe, as reported in a recent Cable Index report.
Kebbi with a staggering 67.6 percent, Sokoto with 66.4 percent, and Yobe State with 62.9 percent stand out with alarming figures of Nigerian states where children aged 6–15 are out of school, respectively.
“I Wish to be Among the Celebrants in Future”—Yaro boy
Aba Abdullahi,17, was overwhelmed with the joy of celebration. His mind was a mix of happiness and sadness as he experienced his first convocation. He was thrilled by the event yet saddened by the absence of a sponsor for his education.
He hoped to someday occupy the seat of celebration himself, inspired by the joyful glow of the atmosphere illuminating the faces of the graduates.
“I am very happy by watching this because it serves as a motivation for me. I wish to be among the celebrants in the future, I would like to be on the stage.”