Amid the growing distrust and tension between Nigeria’s various ethnic groups, comes the soul-lifting story of a woman who came to Enugu when she was only 12.
Today, 25 years after, Safiyah Ali, now 37, has so ingrained herself and her family into her ‘adopted’ home of Enugu.
Not only does she speak fluent Igbo, lacing her conversations with Igbo proverbs and idioms, Safiyah mingles seamlessly among the many other inhabitants living around her Enugu metropolis.
A native of Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto state, Safiyah exhibits a pure and serene heart in her responses during an exchange with a Citizen journalist in Igbo, but translated to English by 365Daily.
I feel very good, Sir.
What is your name?
My name is Safiyah Ali.
Where are from?
I hail from Sokoto State, Tangaza Local Government.
Where are we having this interview?
We are at Kilimanjaro. Garden, Otigba junction.
I heard you speaking Igbo, even using Igbo proverbs to communicate. I became curious. How many years have you spent in Enugu?
I have spent 25 years in Enugu. I came to Enugu when I was small. I was 12 years old then.
You speak Igbo fluently.
That is how it is suppose to be. You brighten the corner where you live.
What business are you engaged in here?
We used to engage in fast food, particularly preparing noodles for people, but when that closed down, we switched to mobile food vending. We will cook and my children will carry the food and go street by street in New Haven to sell.
I hope the business is okay?
God has been good to us. At least we are able to feed ourselves from the business. We thank Almighty God.
Your people are always afraid of coming to the East to live, while Igbos don’t have that kind of phobia in living in the North. What has been your experience since you started residing in Enugu?
We have been living peacefully here. Even the house we are residing in, the landlord gave it to us for free. We don’t pay. Instead of collecting money from us, he would rather give us sometimes. We live at the back of Otigba garden. All the Igbos I have had dealings with have not cheated me or done evil to me and I have no reason to complain.
How many children do you have?
They are many. I have 11 children. They were 11 but one died.
What about your husband?
My husband is a retired soldier. He lives in Abuja now. He suggested that we should relocate, but I prefer staying here in Enugu. Once in a while, he visits us.
What message do you have for your people, the Hausas who are afraid of residing in Igbo land?
Whenever I see them, I encourage them and tell them that they should not be afraid. Even when I go home to Sokoto, I always tell them the same thing. For me, I have experienced peace and goodwill living in Igboland and I have no problem with that.