Safiyya Ahmad has been announced as the winner of British Broadcasting cooperation (BBC) Hausa Short Story Writing Competition, with a story titled: “Maraici” (Ophanhood).

Safiyya Ahmad was announced the winner of 2019 edition of the competition 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, 25th October.

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

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.

The contest which is 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 Ambassdor 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.