It was a great mansion with five wings. The first, second, third, and fourth all faced the main gate of the house, while the fifth stood on the right side of the four parts. Each section had a small gate from where one could see whoever entered or left. Likewise, every part had its own parking space that could take about three cars, and also a small yard that could be used for any necessary activities.
The entrance of every wing was decorated with potted flowers, and in each part were chairs arranged for relaxation or fresh air.
The main compound of the house was so vast that one could build four or five small houses within it. Every corner of the building had tall trees planted, while the center of the compound was circled with flowers. By merely looking at the house guards, one could tell they were well-paid, let alone the exotic cars arranged in the yard designed for luxury vehicles. Apart from two cars, some had three parked at each of the three occupied wings.
The mansion was popularly known as “End of Discussion” by most people in the neighborhood. Not only in the Millions Quarters area, but almost everyone in Gusau town knew Alhaji Haruna Mai Yadi’s house because such a mansion was rare in the town. It was not everyone’s concern to build such a well-designed house and display wealth so openly the way he chose to.
The Families and Their Quarters
Out of the four main occupied parts of the house, three were for families, while the fourth was reserved for Alhaji Haruna Mai Yadi himself. The first part belonged to Hajiya Kaltume, the senior wife, now the household’s head. Next was Hajiya Nafisa, fondly called Momy. The third was for Hajiya Iyami, commonly called Amma, the pillar of the courtyard. The fourth section, though built, remained unoccupied because Haruna had only three wives at the time, though he once wished to marry four.
Each section had separate boys’ and girls’ rooms, two sitting rooms (small and large), and bedrooms furnished luxuriously. The only differences lay in colors and arrangements.
Hajiya Kaltume’s Wing: Her furniture was red with golden designs, and her daughters, being stylish young ladies, helped her beautify the place. She had four daughters—Umm Kultoom (Maama), Umm Salma, Umm Khairi, and the youngest, Umm Ruman—all following their only brother Yassar, the eldest and only male child.
Hajiya Nafisa (Momy): Her part was decorated in ash color with white curtains, contrasting with Turkish cushions. She had three children: two sons—Musib and Miwan—and one daughter, Namra.
Hajiya Iyami (Amma): Her section stood out with everything—rooms and living areas—furnished in shining white. She had two little children, Hurriya and Hamad, and was also pregnant. Being the youngest wife, her youthful look reflected clearly beside her husband Alhaji Haruna, as though he fathered someone of her age.
Beyond these, Alhaji Haruna had another daughter, Maryama, from his late first wife Sapna, who had endured life’s struggles with him before wealth came. Sapna later remarried a poor man under her father’s authority, as the Hausa saying goes, “a sold goat returns to graze in the family compound.”
From his late first wife Maryam to Kaltume, both were women he married before wealth, what people called “poor man’s marriage.” He had not considered physical beauty but rather good character. Yet his two senior wives were always at loggerheads, until death took Maryam. Wealth began to flow after her passing, and Haruna rose from being Haruna Mai Yadi to Haruna Mai Motoci—the owner of Mai Yadi Motors, a top auto company in Zamfara, Kaduna, and Abuja, dealing in luxury cars and building modern structures.
Conflict, New Marriage, and Household Challenges
When wealth grew, Momy, daughter of a rich man (Alhaji Garba), entered the household. She often boasted of her background, claiming her father’s riches surpassed Haruna’s, which triggered constant quarrels with Kaltume. She scorned Kaltume for marrying Haruna when he was poor, while Kaltume taunted her for marrying him only after wealth came.
Haruna tried to maintain balance, refusing to favor Momy over Kaltume, fearing it might disturb peace after his death. Amid this, servants were introduced. The first was Balkisu, a hardworking, cheerful girl, placed in Kaltume’s care. Her skills in cooking and tidiness impressed everyone, including Haruna.
Gradually, Balkisu, nicknamed Iyami, caught Haruna’s attention. Her beauty, simplicity, and respect enchanted him until he doubled her wages, later confessing his desire for her. Despite initial hesitation, Iyami’s poverty, hope for a better life, and Haruna’s persuasion led her to agree. Their marriage was conducted secretly while Kaltume was away in Umrah. Afterward, Iyami moved in with Haruna’s mother, Hajiya Binta, who loved her dearly.
When Kaltume returned, she scorned Iyami as a mere servant, while Momy too joined in jealousy. Almost everyone who knew Iyami’s background mocked her marriage, branding it betrayal. Still, Hajiya Binta stood by her, treating her like a daughter, unlike the other wives.
Later, Haruna built the magnificent mansion in Millions Quarters, moving in with all his family. Iyami, though mocked, bore him two children—Hurriya and Hamad—but struggled with childbearing afterward. Her only comfort was her closeness to Binta and her devotion to her two children, despite the constant torment from her co-wives. Hurriya, too, suffered harshness and mockery from her step-siblings, treated as if she did not fully belong.
Even so, Iyami endured the schemes and envy of her rivals, holding onto the little happiness she found in her children and the love of Haruna’s mother, who shielded her from total despair.
Description
The Mansion and Its Design
It was a great mansion with five wings. The first, second, third, and fourth all faced the main gate of the house, while the fifth stood on the right side of the four parts. Each section had a small gate from where one could see whoever entered or left. Likewise, every part had its own parking space that could take about three cars, and also a small yard that could be used for any necessary activities.
The entrance of every wing was decorated with potted flowers, and in each part were chairs arranged for relaxation or fresh air.
The main compound of the house was so vast that one could build four or five small houses within it. Every corner of the building had tall trees planted, while the center of the compound was circled with flowers. By merely looking at the house guards, one could tell they were well-paid, let alone the exotic cars arranged in the yard designed for luxury vehicles. Apart from two cars, some had three parked at each of the three occupied wings.
The mansion was popularly known as “End of Discussion” by most people in the neighborhood. Not only in the Millions Quarters area, but almost everyone in Gusau town knew Alhaji Haruna Mai Yadi’s house because such a mansion was rare in the town. It was not everyone’s concern to build such a well-designed house and display wealth so openly the way he chose to.
The Families and Their Quarters
Out of the four main occupied parts of the house, three were for families, while the fourth was reserved for Alhaji Haruna Mai Yadi himself. The first part belonged to Hajiya Kaltume, the senior wife, now the household’s head. Next was Hajiya Nafisa, fondly called Momy. The third was for Hajiya Iyami, commonly called Amma, the pillar of the courtyard. The fourth section, though built, remained unoccupied because Haruna had only three wives at the time, though he once wished to marry four.
Each section had separate boys’ and girls’ rooms, two sitting rooms (small and large), and bedrooms furnished luxuriously. The only differences lay in colors and arrangements.
Hajiya Kaltume’s Wing: Her furniture was red with golden designs, and her daughters, being stylish young ladies, helped her beautify the place. She had four daughters—Umm Kultoom (Maama), Umm Salma, Umm Khairi, and the youngest, Umm Ruman—all following their only brother Yassar, the eldest and only male child.
Hajiya Nafisa (Momy): Her part was decorated in ash color with white curtains, contrasting with Turkish cushions. She had three children: two sons—Musib and Miwan—and one daughter, Namra.
Hajiya Iyami (Amma): Her section stood out with everything—rooms and living areas—furnished in shining white. She had two little children, Hurriya and Hamad, and was also pregnant. Being the youngest wife, her youthful look reflected clearly beside her husband Alhaji Haruna, as though he fathered someone of her age.
Beyond these, Alhaji Haruna had another daughter, Maryama, from his late first wife Sapna, who had endured life’s struggles with him before wealth came. Sapna later remarried a poor man under her father’s authority, as the Hausa saying goes, “a sold goat returns to graze in the family compound.”
From his late first wife Maryam to Kaltume, both were women he married before wealth, what people called “poor man’s marriage.” He had not considered physical beauty but rather good character. Yet his two senior wives were always at loggerheads, until death took Maryam. Wealth began to flow after her passing, and Haruna rose from being Haruna Mai Yadi to Haruna Mai Motoci—the owner of Mai Yadi Motors, a top auto company in Zamfara, Kaduna, and Abuja, dealing in luxury cars and building modern structures.
Conflict, New Marriage, and Household Challenges
When wealth grew, Momy, daughter of a rich man (Alhaji Garba), entered the household. She often boasted of her background, claiming her father’s riches surpassed Haruna’s, which triggered constant quarrels with Kaltume. She scorned Kaltume for marrying Haruna when he was poor, while Kaltume taunted her for marrying him only after wealth came.
Haruna tried to maintain balance, refusing to favor Momy over Kaltume, fearing it might disturb peace after his death. Amid this, servants were introduced. The first was Balkisu, a hardworking, cheerful girl, placed in Kaltume’s care. Her skills in cooking and tidiness impressed everyone, including Haruna.
Gradually, Balkisu, nicknamed Iyami, caught Haruna’s attention. Her beauty, simplicity, and respect enchanted him until he doubled her wages, later confessing his desire for her. Despite initial hesitation, Iyami’s poverty, hope for a better life, and Haruna’s persuasion led her to agree. Their marriage was conducted secretly while Kaltume was away in Umrah. Afterward, Iyami moved in with Haruna’s mother, Hajiya Binta, who loved her dearly.
When Kaltume returned, she scorned Iyami as a mere servant, while Momy too joined in jealousy. Almost everyone who knew Iyami’s background mocked her marriage, branding it betrayal. Still, Hajiya Binta stood by her, treating her like a daughter, unlike the other wives.
Later, Haruna built the magnificent mansion in Millions Quarters, moving in with all his family. Iyami, though mocked, bore him two children—Hurriya and Hamad—but struggled with childbearing afterward. Her only comfort was her closeness to Binta and her devotion to her two children, despite the constant torment from her co-wives. Hurriya, too, suffered harshness and mockery from her step-siblings, treated as if she did not fully belong.
Even so, Iyami endured the schemes and envy of her rivals, holding onto the little happiness she found in her children and the love of Haruna’s mother, who shielded her from total despair.