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 Friday.

Yusuf said Safiyya’s story was picked from 25 contestants shortlisted, adding that Safiyya, who is from Zaria in Kaduna state, is married with a daughter.

“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.

Safyya said that she was not sure when her phone woke her from sleep and she was told that she had won the competition.

“It was only when I looked again at my phone that I confirmed I was not dreaming but has really won.”

Safyya, 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, who hails from Yobe state, said that she decided to participate in the competition in order to showcase her state and to show BBC that she is a fan of the station.

She thanked God and appreciated BBC for organising the contest, saying “it exposes a lot to people to ponder upon depending upon the storyline.”

“BBC has tried especially as the contest brings about unity, supporting the Hausa culture, tradition and also the competition indicated that the Hausa language is waxing stronger,’’ she said.

The contest which is the fourth edition had Safiyya Jibril as the first winner in 2018.

Among the dignitaries at the event were the Kebbi State Governor’s wife, Dr Zainab Bagudu, Niger Republic Ambassador to Nigeria, Mandour Maman, Zarah Buhari, the Nigerian President’s daughter.

Others include Alhaji Mansur Liman, Director-General, FRCN, and Alhaji Mannir Dan Ali, Editor-In-Chief, Daily Trust, the two were former BBC Hausa staff.

The first position received 2,000 dollars and a plague, second position received 1,000 dollars with a plague and the third position got 500 dollars with a plague.

NAN