Mazi sat on a small wooden stool, tying a beautiful green wrapper around his waist. It was a cold Saturday evening, the moon was bright, and the children were all playing close to the mango tree in the middle of the compound.
Mazi called out to his wives "Dima, Kika, and Ciku, bring your stools; we want to have a meeting". Mazi was a palm wine tapper, and he was well known in his village and the surrounding villages. Mazi was a tall and handsome man with curly and dark hair. He was the dream man for most of the women in the community.
Mazi had fifteen children: ten boys and five girls.
Mazi's wives all greeted him and sat on their wooden stools. Mazi took his cup of Palm wine and said a prayer. "I called you here because there is something I want to discuss with you all, and it has to do with our children," Mazi said with a smile on his face. "Now the white people have brought school to our village, and I will love my children to attend this school" Mazi informed his wives. His wives sang and danced; they were happy their children would learn the culture of the white man and have a chance of a better life. "Thank you, Mazi," they all echoed. "That's not all," Mazi said. "I will only sponsor the male children to school; the girls can learn a trade or look for a husband to marry when they come of age," Mazi said. "Mazi, that is not fair on our female children," Ciku, the third wife, said. "I have only one girl, and she will go to school," Ciku said. Mazi looked at her and smiled "Ciku, I have made my decision, and nothing can make me change it".
Ciku called her daughter Nnika to her hut. "My daughter, your father, has said he will not sponsor you to school. I know you want to learn the ways of the whites, but my daughter, you know that I don't have enough money to sponsor you to school, and I can't go against the will of your father," Ciku informed Nnika of her father's decision. Nnika cried and ran out of the hut.
Nnika was a beautiful young girl who was loved by all her family members and villagers. She was humble and well-mannered. She was different from all the other girls in the village. "Nnika, why is your face looking like this?" Bita Nnika's asked. "My father refused to send me to school," Nnika informed Bita. Bita laughed, and Nnika wondered what was wrong. "You think that you are better than all the other girls in this village; who will send a girl to school? Please tell me something else," Bita said. "What do you mean by that? I want to go to school, and no one will be a barrier to that dream," Nnika said. "Nnika, the dreamer, you better wake up from that dream. We are lucky we went to primary school, and you are not grateful for that; you want to attend secondary school. Better look for a man who will marry you," Bita said. "Bita, I can see you too want to be a barrier to my dreams; it's better I end my friendship with you," Nnika said, walking away.
Nnika was hurt because no one supported her dreams. Even her mom had given up on her going to secondary school. "I will have to overcome this obstacle," Nnika thought to herself. She sat by the mango tree in the middle of the compound. Her stepmother laughed at her, saying "Nnika, the school". Nnika was now more determined to do anything possible to be in school.
It's a bright and sunny Monday morning. Nnika walks into Yajo Secondary School, Yajo. She walks straight to the principal's office. She knocks on the door, and the voice behind the door tells her to come into the office. Nnika steps into the office, and she cannot say a word. She was surprised that the principal was a woman. "Good morning, Ma, please. I am looking for the principal of the school," Nnika said, bending her knees. "I'm Ms. Ruth, and I am the principal of the school," Ms. Ruth said. "How can I help you?" Ms. Ruth asked Nnika. "Ma, please, I want to attend this school, but no one is willing to sponsor me because I am a girl". Nnika kneels. "Please, Ma, help me. I really want to attend this school," Nnika said with tears rolling down her eyes. "I will admit you to this school; there is no girl attending this school, so you will be the first, and I will sponsor you. I can see the zeal in you. You have to be the best, so you would be a role model to other young girls in the community," Ms. Ruth said. "Thank you, Ma; I will make you proud," Nnika said with a smile.
Nnika runs home and informs everyone about what just transpired between her and Ms. Ruth. Ciku Nnika's mother was happy, but her stepmother laughed and made fun of Nnika. Nnika now realizes she has to be the best and show the world that a woman is in no way inferior to a man.
It was time for the graduation party. And all the villagers assembled at the school field. Everyone wanted to witness the first set of graduates. Especially since the best graduating student will receive a scholarship to study in the United Kingdom.
Ms. Ruth informed the crowd that it was time to present to them the best graduating student. Everyone was anxious; the silence was like that of a grave.
"The best graduating student and the winner of the scholarship is Nnika Mazi," Ms. Ruth announced. There was a look of shock among the villagers. They could not believe that a girl could be more intelligent than a boy. Mazi stood and shouted "That is my daughter". Everyone stood and clapped for Nnika as she walked to the stage to receive her award.
"I thank my parents, Ms. Ruth, and everyone who gave me a chance. I want to say this today: the girl child should not be seen as less than her male counterpart. We all were created with a brain, and it is how one makes use of it that matters, not the gender of the child".
The ceremony came to an end, and some of the villagers rushed to the principal's office to register their daughters. It was the beginning of a new movement in the community.
