Call me mallam, that’s what I am

Adamu Mu’Azu Model Science Secondary School or simply Adamu Mu’Azu is the popular way to refer to the all boys secondary school where I’ve been assigned to serve in the town or village of Goronyo , Sokoto.

I reported in the admin office on Tuesday morning to see the vice principal who after getting acquainted with me directed me to the principal of the junior school. That was discouraging for a moment as I had two things on my wish list that morning: I had wanted to be giving no other subject but computer studies to teach and I preffered to be assigned to a senior class, preferably class 5 or 6. Well, I got computer science alright, but the JSS principal wanted me to take class 1 – as at now the entire junior school had no computer teacher. Ok I didn’t object. let’s see how I cope ba?

Later that day I picked up a jerry can to fetch water from the school pump, on my way, a boy addressed me: “Mallam” he said “can I help to fetch your water?” Now down south, we use the word “Mallam” to refer to Notherners in general. Of course most of us do not actually know the meaning of the word. “Mallam” actually is the Hausa word for teacher. For the next year or so, I’m primarily a secondary school teacher in Sokoto, so anywhere you see me feel free to call me mallam.

I guess in the past few years now in retrospect, I have turned myself into something like one of those work driven folks, of which I’ve personally been afraid; they seemed to be over serious, always working at something, always distracted, always setting goals and new goals, always asking questions and seeking reasons. I made plans for every day, every week, every month and targets for every year, My next 1 year was planned, so was the year after, and also the next 3,4,5 years to probably unnecessary details. Thankfully, now this youth service year, is hardly going to be about me, my image of myself, and my lofty plans.If I had my way, I would rather be in a place where my skills, talents and personality will be more relevant and acknowledged, and an environment where I can ambitiously market myself and promote my personal agenda. But with all the surprises NYSC has already begun to rock me with, this seems to be about the best opportunity I could possibly have had to actually relax.

Though it may have looked as if I have no choice, but I may actually be beginning to imagine, that I probably was getting too stiff and un-malleable. And I have to go through with this if it will actually make me experience a breaking and loosening so that I can be more flexible and adaptable for the master’s use. I welcome the challenge to be blessed and be a blessing in this temporary new status anyhow.

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