A beautiful, modern house stood in the heart of the luxurious Asokoro district in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. Though not overly large, the architectural design was a masterpiece. It was a one-story flat with no upstairs. The main building was centrally located, surrounded by a canopy of flowers that formed a shade over it. The roof was a brown type commonly seen in foreign countries. The house itself was painted a mix of milk and brown, matching the roof.
On the right side of the house were guest rooms, specially built by the owner for visiting relatives from Kano. The compound was adorned with a variety of flowers—tall and short, all fresh, fragrant, and beautiful. The floor was covered with soft, green grass carpets that added a sense of comfort and joy.
Upon entering through the gate, the security guard’s room was located to the right, near the entrance. Just ahead was a well-structured carport, housing a lineup of shiny, spotless cars, all neatly covered and arranged without touching one another. Each car was a unique model from the latest and most prestigious series of that time.
The Owner of the House
This magnificent house belonged to Professor Dr. Hamza Dakata, who served as the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President during the year 1996.
The wife, Hajiya Maryam Hamza Dakata, sat in one of the luxurious armchairs in the spacious living room. The room was so big that it had three sets of sofas, each different in design and color, placed in separate corners. Each set had a matching rug beneath it, and the curtains were beautifully striped to complement all the sofa colors.
The Family Setting
Hajiya Maryam was so elegant and well-dressed, one might find it hard to believe she was a mother of four boys, whom she was helping with their homework. A single glance at the children would reveal the luxury and comfort they lived in.
The eldest, Abdul'azeez, was 13 and known as “Yaya Azeez” by his siblings. Next was Isma’el (called “Ishma”), aged 9, followed by Usman, 7. After Usman, there was the youngest, Haleem, only 3 years old and not yet in school. Hajiya Maryam hadn’t had any more children after Haleem.
From time to time, she looked at the wall clock while helping Azeez with his homework, clearly waiting for her husband’s arrival. He usually never stayed late at the office unless something serious came up. If so, he’d at least call, but today—nothing.
Usman asked with concern,
> “Mammah, where is Daddy? It’s already past eight.”
She sighed and replied,
> “Don’t worry. Let me try to reach him. Maybe work held him back.”
She picked up her mobile phone (a luxury at that time), dialed his number several times, but he didn’t answer. After trying ten times, she gave up and looked at her children, who were staring at her with curiosity and concern.
An Unexpected Goodbye
Just then, the living room door opened. They all looked, hoping it was Daddy—but it was their housemaid, Jamila. She entered respectfully and knelt before Hajiya Maryam.
> “Mammah, dinner is ready and everything is set on the dining table,” she said.
Hajiya Maryam nodded,
> “Thank you, Jamila. We’re waiting for Daddy before eating.”
Jamila remained kneeling, head down. Hajiya sensed she had something more to say.
> “What’s the matter, Jamila?” she asked gently.
Jamila replied with humility,
> “I came to bid farewell, Mammah. I’m returning home to the village tomorrow.”
This shocked Hajiya Maryam. She truly cherished Jamila, who had served them faithfully and respectfully for three years since Haleem’s birth. Unlike other maids she had tried, Jamila had never given her reason for complaint.
> “Why are you leaving? I thought it hasn’t been long since your last visit home?” she asked.
Jamila, ashamed, said softly,
> “Forgive me, Mammah. I’m not leaving because I want to. I’ve found a man who proposed to me, and our families have agreed. I promised my parents I’d return after a month to get married. I wanted to tell you earlier, but I was shy.”
Though saddened, Hajiya Maryam respected her decision and responded softly,
> “Congratulations, Jamila. May Allah bless your marriage. Wait a moment.”
She went to her room and returned with money for three months’ salary in advance, three sets of Holland fabric with matching scarves, shoes, and bags.
> “This is your salary in advance, and a little gift from me. May Allah bless your union and grant peace,” she said.
Jamila, with tears in her eyes, accepted the gifts and returned to the workers’ quarters.
The Children React
AbdulAzeez, who had been quietly listening, looked up and asked,
> “Is she really going to her village?”
> “Yes,” his mother replied. “She’s getting married.”
> “So she won’t come back?” Usman asked.
> “No, she won’t,” she confirmed.
The children looked visibly saddened—they were close to Jamila.
> “So who will carry me now?” asked little Haleem.
She smiled,
> “You’re too big to be carried now, Haleem. Don’t worry, we’ll find someone else. Pray we get someone like her.”
The kids raised their hands and said,
> “Ameen!”
Then Isma’el, deep in thought, asked,
> “But Mammah, who will do all the washing and chores she used to do?”
She smiled again,
> “I’ll handle them for now, but we’ll get someone soon…”
Daddy Finally Arrives
Before she could finish, they heard the sound of Daddy’s car horn. Everyone rushed excitedly to the glass sliding door to greet him. His face lit up with joy as he stretched out his arms to embrace all of them, including his wife.
The love and warmth in the family were clear. As they entered the living room, he carried Haleem in his arms. Isma’el and Usman bombarded him with questions about his lateness. Abdul’azeez stayed quiet, but Daddy pulled him close on the sofa.
> “Come on, Babban Yaya. Who upset you? You look like you’re angry.”
Abdul’azeez laid his head on his father’s chest and said,
> “Daddy, you’re late. We were really worried. You know we care about you.”
His father smiled while stroking his hair,
> “If I’m silent, it means something good is coming. But I won’t share this good news until we’ve all eaten. I don’t want excitement to ruin your appetite.”
He stood, holding Abdul’azeez’s hand—the son he clearly cherished most.
A Big Announcement
After dinner, they returned to the living room. Smiling, Daddy looked at each one of them and said:
> “We’ve been in meetings with the President all day. The Ambassador to Saudi Arabia retired, and by Allah’s will, I’ve been appointed to replace him. We’ll be moving to Jeddah in just two weeks.”
The kids screamed with excitement—except Abdul’azeez. His face fell.
His father noticed and asked,
> “What’s wrong, Azeez? Aren’t you happy?”
The boy frowned slightly and replied,
> “Daddy, I love Nigeria. I don’t want to leave. I want to grow up, study, and one day support my country. Everyone who succeeds runs away. I want to be different.”
His father looked at him with amazement. A 13-year-old with such patriotism? He respected his children's opinions and took his words seriously.
> “Abdul’azeez, you can’t truly help Nigeria until you’ve gained knowledge and experience, even from other countries. This move to Saudi is a blessing. You’ll be close to the Ka’aba, attend top Islamic schools, enjoy peace and good food. It’s temporary, not forever. Let’s go and build a new life.” He said, patting his son on the back.
Description
A Beautiful House in Asokoro, Abuja
A beautiful, modern house stood in the heart of the luxurious Asokoro district in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. Though not overly large, the architectural design was a masterpiece. It was a one-story flat with no upstairs. The main building was centrally located, surrounded by a canopy of flowers that formed a shade over it. The roof was a brown type commonly seen in foreign countries. The house itself was painted a mix of milk and brown, matching the roof.
On the right side of the house were guest rooms, specially built by the owner for visiting relatives from Kano. The compound was adorned with a variety of flowers—tall and short, all fresh, fragrant, and beautiful. The floor was covered with soft, green grass carpets that added a sense of comfort and joy.
Upon entering through the gate, the security guard’s room was located to the right, near the entrance. Just ahead was a well-structured carport, housing a lineup of shiny, spotless cars, all neatly covered and arranged without touching one another. Each car was a unique model from the latest and most prestigious series of that time.
The Owner of the House
This magnificent house belonged to Professor Dr. Hamza Dakata, who served as the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President during the year 1996.
The wife, Hajiya Maryam Hamza Dakata, sat in one of the luxurious armchairs in the spacious living room. The room was so big that it had three sets of sofas, each different in design and color, placed in separate corners. Each set had a matching rug beneath it, and the curtains were beautifully striped to complement all the sofa colors.
The Family Setting
Hajiya Maryam was so elegant and well-dressed, one might find it hard to believe she was a mother of four boys, whom she was helping with their homework. A single glance at the children would reveal the luxury and comfort they lived in.
The eldest, Abdul'azeez, was 13 and known as “Yaya Azeez” by his siblings. Next was Isma’el (called “Ishma”), aged 9, followed by Usman, 7. After Usman, there was the youngest, Haleem, only 3 years old and not yet in school. Hajiya Maryam hadn’t had any more children after Haleem.
From time to time, she looked at the wall clock while helping Azeez with his homework, clearly waiting for her husband’s arrival. He usually never stayed late at the office unless something serious came up. If so, he’d at least call, but today—nothing.
Usman asked with concern,
> “Mammah, where is Daddy? It’s already past eight.”
She sighed and replied,
> “Don’t worry. Let me try to reach him. Maybe work held him back.”
She picked up her mobile phone (a luxury at that time), dialed his number several times, but he didn’t answer. After trying ten times, she gave up and looked at her children, who were staring at her with curiosity and concern.
An Unexpected Goodbye
Just then, the living room door opened. They all looked, hoping it was Daddy—but it was their housemaid, Jamila. She entered respectfully and knelt before Hajiya Maryam.
> “Mammah, dinner is ready and everything is set on the dining table,” she said.
Hajiya Maryam nodded,
> “Thank you, Jamila. We’re waiting for Daddy before eating.”
Jamila remained kneeling, head down. Hajiya sensed she had something more to say.
> “What’s the matter, Jamila?” she asked gently.
Jamila replied with humility,
> “I came to bid farewell, Mammah. I’m returning home to the village tomorrow.”
This shocked Hajiya Maryam. She truly cherished Jamila, who had served them faithfully and respectfully for three years since Haleem’s birth. Unlike other maids she had tried, Jamila had never given her reason for complaint.
> “Why are you leaving? I thought it hasn’t been long since your last visit home?” she asked.
Jamila, ashamed, said softly,
> “Forgive me, Mammah. I’m not leaving because I want to. I’ve found a man who proposed to me, and our families have agreed. I promised my parents I’d return after a month to get married. I wanted to tell you earlier, but I was shy.”
Though saddened, Hajiya Maryam respected her decision and responded softly,
> “Congratulations, Jamila. May Allah bless your marriage. Wait a moment.”
She went to her room and returned with money for three months’ salary in advance, three sets of Holland fabric with matching scarves, shoes, and bags.
> “This is your salary in advance, and a little gift from me. May Allah bless your union and grant peace,” she said.
Jamila, with tears in her eyes, accepted the gifts and returned to the workers’ quarters.
The Children React
AbdulAzeez, who had been quietly listening, looked up and asked,
> “Is she really going to her village?”
> “Yes,” his mother replied. “She’s getting married.”
> “So she won’t come back?” Usman asked.
> “No, she won’t,” she confirmed.
The children looked visibly saddened—they were close to Jamila.
> “So who will carry me now?” asked little Haleem.
She smiled,
> “You’re too big to be carried now, Haleem. Don’t worry, we’ll find someone else. Pray we get someone like her.”
The kids raised their hands and said,
> “Ameen!”
Then Isma’el, deep in thought, asked,
> “But Mammah, who will do all the washing and chores she used to do?”
She smiled again,
> “I’ll handle them for now, but we’ll get someone soon…”
Daddy Finally Arrives
Before she could finish, they heard the sound of Daddy’s car horn. Everyone rushed excitedly to the glass sliding door to greet him. His face lit up with joy as he stretched out his arms to embrace all of them, including his wife.
The love and warmth in the family were clear. As they entered the living room, he carried Haleem in his arms. Isma’el and Usman bombarded him with questions about his lateness. Abdul’azeez stayed quiet, but Daddy pulled him close on the sofa.
> “Come on, Babban Yaya. Who upset you? You look like you’re angry.”
Abdul’azeez laid his head on his father’s chest and said,
> “Daddy, you’re late. We were really worried. You know we care about you.”
His father smiled while stroking his hair,
> “If I’m silent, it means something good is coming. But I won’t share this good news until we’ve all eaten. I don’t want excitement to ruin your appetite.”
He stood, holding Abdul’azeez’s hand—the son he clearly cherished most.
A Big Announcement
After dinner, they returned to the living room. Smiling, Daddy looked at each one of them and said:
> “We’ve been in meetings with the President all day. The Ambassador to Saudi Arabia retired, and by Allah’s will, I’ve been appointed to replace him. We’ll be moving to Jeddah in just two weeks.”
The kids screamed with excitement—except Abdul’azeez. His face fell.
His father noticed and asked,
> “What’s wrong, Azeez? Aren’t you happy?”
The boy frowned slightly and replied,
> “Daddy, I love Nigeria. I don’t want to leave. I want to grow up, study, and one day support my country. Everyone who succeeds runs away. I want to be different.”
His father looked at him with amazement. A 13-year-old with such patriotism? He respected his children's opinions and took his words seriously.
> “Abdul’azeez, you can’t truly help Nigeria until you’ve gained knowledge and experience, even from other countries. This move to Saudi is a blessing. You’ll be close to the Ka’aba, attend top Islamic schools, enjoy peace and good food. It’s temporary, not forever. Let’s go and build a new life.” He said, patting his son on the back.