Meet SoulUnraveled

Dear Hopefuls,

Our hopeful for this week is Zainab Sabeeha Hussain (SoulUnraveled) 

Zainab Sabeeha Hussain | SoulUnraveled |

Poet; SoulUnraveled, Rising From The Ashes | Medical Student | Writer | Activist | 

For her poems, do visit: @SoulUnraveled on Instagram

Purchase her anthology on Amazon or at Tarbiya Book Plus (21, Blantyre Street Off Ademola Adetokunbo Crescent. Wuse 2, Abuja )

We share with you our review of her work.

The Three Abstractions

A Review of SoulUnravelled by OurSharedHope

SoulUnraveled means a lot to readers. On Wednesday just recently I learnt of the three abstractions of life and this became my flashlight in writing this review. I would now try to explain SoulUnraveled according to these three abstractions: Love, Time and Death.

LOVE

Love is the fabric of life and I wish it upon everyone  – May you find the truest of love – I see love as the core of SoulUnraveled, you can see it in every piece of Art she has ever produced. It is there in the lovers eyes

 – When she wrote

“I’ve always been a hopeless romantic

I believe in love

The sacrificial love;

The love that bends for the other; both ways…”

You can see it and I dare say feel it even in pain for sometimes love comes with pain

 – remember this poem where at the middle it says

“…You took my wings and clipped it

Doused my flames,

Extinguishing the embers…”

 – Or this one

“…But darling, I would do it all over again

Feel the butterflies

Hold your hand

Laugh from my heart

…

Feel the pain as it tears me apart

But I will not fall apart

I will live and learn and love

I live a life of no regrets,

I love a love with no regrets

It is there even when she drifts to topics of hope and pride

 – try recalling

“…my eyes carry the wisdom of my ancestors;

The horrors they’ve seen,

The nightmares they’ve lived.

…

We have been tried, tested, sold, fucked, bent, burnt, broken

It is an honor to be called black

Just see us now.

Every piece of Art called poetry that Sabeeha Hussain under SoulUnraveled has produced has been able to capture the definition of poetry we all can agree on: That poetry is the spontaneous flow of emotions

When I first came across SoulUnraveled it was with a poem caption titled “A Letter to My Mother” and what struck me was the braveness of the poet, how the poet dared say so much. Then I went on to stalk her by reading the 20 or so poems already uploaded. It was only then that I realized, she has been the poet I longed for because all those poems got to me

– She was “my” bright light

In this ill-lit world.

Some of us at a point say to love – Dear Love, Goodbye – because maybe it let us down. You see, we get hurt in love, most of us here if not all have fallen in love so deeply and been hurt so badly that we thought and swore never to love again. My deepest love wasn’t my last because it didn’t last, we broke up but it taught me that true love never dies, it only fades

 – Wait; there is a SoulUnravelled poem similar to that

“If I could regret anything;

It wouldn’t be fallen in love,

Or meeting him

…

But I regret

The chances I didn’t take

…the pride I should have cast away

 – But it also proved to me what Sabeeha once wrote

“Don’t break a writer’s heart,

They’ll write books about you,

Immortalize your story

Recount every moment

Your love will live on

…

Tread carefully with a writer.

…a writer is everything all at once.

You see SoulUnraveled is the modern day Art; it is a mirror for not just the 21^st century kid that does weird things such as Snap chat and Twitter but for anyone who got a chance to look.

 SoulUnraveled defines Love in its own unique way.

Zainab Sabeeha Hussain

TIME

Some believe that time is an illusion and I understand time as people, cultures and history.

 – On the 9^th of April, Sabeeha posted a poem

“Where are the dreamers?

The ones living in a world of theirs’

Crossing mountains, swimming seas.

The rebels; rule breakers

…

The crazy ones; that dare to believe

The misfits; red flowers in white gardens.

Forever ceasing to blend with crowds

…

Keep howling against social norms,

Let the echo be heard centuries to come.”

To those born in 2004, Dubai represents a normal city at most an Arabian paradise but to someone born in the 90’s and 80’s Dubai represents how dreamers have made impossible just a word.

Literature from poetry to prose to drama tells of time in its entirety

 – Try reading

Shake sphere’s King Henry IV

 – Or watching

Femi Osofisan’s Women of Owu

 – Or feel poetry when Nicklaus speaks on The Originals

Through poetry, Sabeeha Hussian tells of the time she finds herself – a time of Sexual assault, killings, terrorism, and a time of depression, discrimination and segregation – you see this is evident in her poems

 – I’m sure you’ve read once in time

“They say I over exaggerate sexual crimes

…

Tell that to screams late at night

To tears at moments of flashbacks

Tell that to panic attacks at intimate times

To every survivor; relating to this

Tell me again how sexual abuse, rape, molestation, violence and assault are overrated”

 – Or this poem

“See I know over thinking is a disease

I am afflicted by it

I think about failing sometimes

…

My momma says I need to have more confidence in myself.

If only it were that easy.”

 – Or my favorite

“In a world where Blacks are killed

Just for that; Belonging to a race

Muslims are being labeled; Terrorists

For practicing the religion of peace

Where women are held back

Keep them in place

Where they are said to belong

…

I am strong, I am me, I am proud

I am a Black Muslim Woman”

 – Or this one

“My childhood was full of trying to fit in

I remember being too fair for some kids

Fascination drawing them to me

They begged to touch my hair

…

They threw the occasional “you’re not like us” at me

…

I remember being too dark for some kids

They teased and mocked me

…

They cleaned their hands when they touched my skin

Wrinkled their noses at my hair;

Too curly, too frizzy, too African”

 – remember the slavery poem?

“Forcing us into marriage is slavery

Cutting off our genitailia is slavery

…

Beating us like dogs is slavery

Financial imprisonment is slavery

…

We have prayed for it

Now watch us fight for it”

Take a look at the poems of Sabeeha under SoulUnraveled, it tells of two of this three abstractions and I’m going to tell you of the third abstraction; Death.

DEATH

“Oh this man will be the death of me”

Wrote SoulUnraveled in an erotic poem she published on her blog: beehassain.wordpress.com

I appreciate that Sabeeha has no death poems - at least none that I’ve come across – it is always good to focus on the living for there are many things wrong in our society. Death is a foreign concept, none of us understands it, none of us can explain it, and we rely on faith to do that.

Everyone dies but not writers for their works live on forever. My teacher said to our class sometime: try to leave good impressions in the hearts of people you meet so that when they remember they bless you. Fine literature leaves good impressions and so when we remember SoulUnravelled or Sabeeha, we are sure to bless her.

Our Prayer is that she joins the Association of Nigerian Authors sometime soon, that all of the world gets a copy of her work and that it takes her to greater heights. 

Her poetry should definitely be read everywhere - in schools and at home – for she represents the future of Northern Nigerian Literature. Take away the errors and the clichés and you will find the perfect debut for such a mind blowing talent. SoulUnraveled is packed with one of the greatest gifts of life – Art

Zainab Sabeeha Hussain,

You have with these poems proved yourself a feminist and a poet of immeasurable talent and we are proud to have had the opportunity of being around you. Please don’t fade away, keep on writing no matter what happens for this is your truth. Write more and more and more and more for we are always eager to read it.

Thank you.

-OurSharedHope

December 2017

Be sure to comment, share, ask questions, make corrections and yes, check your mail for you might just be our next hopeful. You can also register to receive mails notifying you of a new post (check the side bar) Or  send us a mail at oursharedhope@gmail.com or for a quicker response DM us @mroursharedhope on Twitter. Want to feature on our page adverts or sponsorship? Do send us a mail today.

From us here at OurSharedHope, we say thank you and stay hopeful.

Zamfara Youth Charity Movement

Dear Hopefuls,

Our hopefuls for this week are the team and members of:

Zamfara Youth Charity Movement (ZamCharity)

Zamfara State, Nigeria.

For more information on ZamCharity, do contact
Mail: Zamfaracharity@gmail.com
Tell: +2348060232426
I.G: Zamcharity

Twitter: @Zamfaracharity

They share with us their vision to making Zamfara State a better place for generations to come.

OurSharedHope: What is ZamCharity?

ZamCharity: It is a group of concerned youth towards charity which in full is Zamfara Youth Charity Movement.

OurSharedHope: How did it start? Who started it?

ZamCharity: The founders thought that there's this undeniable fact that Zamfara State or North Western States of Nigeria are far left behind in terms of education and other social and youth engagements, so ZamCharity was established as a non political avenue for youth to take charge and have civil engagements. It started all in Zaria though with the CEO, Abubakar Sadiq, Secretary, Yusuf Anka and the Treasurers Habibu Labaran and Aliyu Dan Ume who are all students of the prestigious Ahamdu Bello University, Zaria.

OurSharedHope: What is your organisation structure like?

ZamCharity: We have an executive board of directors comprising of The CEO, The Secretary, The Facilitator, The Treasurer, The Financial Secretary, all Committee Heads and The Chairman, Local Government Coordinators.We also have a General Assembly comprising of The executive board of Directors and other Committee Members.

OurSharedHope: Where does funding come from?

ZamCharity: Donations come from Members of the family willing to donate.

OurSharedHope: What program have you been able to implement as a charity organisation?

ZamCharity: We have successfully had two orphanage visitations of which the first was more of donations while the second was during the Sallah period and so was more of celebration. we have also had a prison visit to the Gusau Medium Security Prison where we gave our support in terms of education (books) and health (medical aid, Clothing and hygiene materials).

OurSharedHope: And how was the response from your members and the orphanage.

ZamCharity and Staff of
Gusau Medium Security Prison,
Zamfara State.

ZamCharity: The orphanage maintainers were pleased as our members were proud. The prison inmates and staff were thrilled as they offered prayers and the Comptroller of Prisons, Zamfara State Command offered his support, prayers and sincere blessings in achieving all our aims and objectives.

OurSharedHope: What has been the difficulty in running such an organisation?

ZamCharity: Concluding and explaining decisions with members.

OurSharedHope: Walk me through joining the charity,  what do i do to join?

Zamcharity Members
during the JollyPhonics training
in Zamfara State

ZamCharity: For now new members are added after undergoing proper orientation by an executive member, but we are hoping to create a more tangible way of adding member (registration).

OurSharedHope: People reason that the name Zamfara limits your membership. Do you have members who are not from Zamfara? Maybe honorary members?

ZamCharity: We have members who are outside Zamfara who are supporting the movement, it not just by the name, where ever we go to work we want people to know that we are from Zamfara and we are the Zamfara youth as the name implies.

OurSharedHope: Who are your biggest supporters?

ZamCharity: Our Members, Our Parents, Members of a sister Movement in Kaduna (Kaduna23), The Zaria Academy Class of 2015 and other well wishers from far.

OurSharedHope: Where does ZamCharity see itself in years to come?

ZamCharity: In the highest peak one could ever imagine.

OurSharedHope: When one thinks of a charity organisation, it is very easily attached to political reasons. How is ZamCharity any different?

ZamCharity: No, ZamCharity is a non political organization. It is a group of concerned youth hoping to make Zamfara State a better place.

OurSharedHope: What do you need in terms of support?

ZamCharity: We need prayers and donations in response to our projects for example the best you can give the #DontDumpDonate project is a book.

OurSharedHope: There is a call that ZamCharity should expand to other states, how do you feel about that call. Are you ready to expand?

ZamCharity: We are already not restricting our entire activities to Zamfara State we are making efforts to reach out to other states.

OurSharedHope:  Go on...tell us more about this "Reaching out to other states"

ZamCharity: Yes, there are sister movements in Sokoto (Caliphate Charity Club), Kaduna (Kaduna23) and Yobe (BuildYobeFoundation) precisely who we are all reaching out to for partnership and collaborations.

OurSharedHope: Is there anything else, you would like our readers to know about ZamCharity?

ZamCharity: ZamCharity in full is Zamfara Youth Charity Movement. It does not only give charity materialistically, it also gives charity emotionally and productively. It is also a youth movement that focuses on youth empowerment and engagement in community development. it connects youths at a professional level as we organize workshops (The JollyPhonics of September 2017). It is registered under the Ministry of Youth and the Ministry of Rural and Community Development both in Zamfara State. We are working on expanding our registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as soon as possible. Permit us to use this medium to render our appreciation to all members and outside supporters, your faith, prayer and support remains our backbone in our service towards humanity.

- Aisha Ahmad Idris
Head, Media and Publicity,
Zamfara Youth Charity Movement.

Be sure to comment, share, ask questions, make corrections and yes, check your mail for you might just be our next hopeful. You can also register to receive mails notifying you of a new post (check the side bar) Or  send us a mail at oursharedhope@gmail.com or for a quicker response DM us @mroursharedhope on Twitter. Want to feature on our page adverts or sponsorship? Do send us a mail today.

From us here at OurSharedHope, we say thank you and stay hopeful.

The MOODS Fabric Brand

Dear Hopefuls,

Our hopeful for this week is:
Hauwa Sadisu
C.E.O, MOODS Fabric
Kaduna - Nigeria

She discusses her clothing line, student politics and the Nigerian Youth on this second season of OurSharedHope.


OurSharedHope: Tell us a brief about yourself.

Hauwa:  My name is Hauwa Sadisu. I hail from Katsina State. Personally, if you know me, you'll know I'm not a boring person. Sleep is my top priority, I'm always sleepy. Currently a 300 level student of International studies holding the position of Vice President II Faculty of Social Sciences. Ways to my heart are good food, sense of humor and perfumes. I mean I'm all that good but don't stare too much (chuckles) Just kidding. I don't like when people stare too much at me.

OurSharedHope: So you're a student leader, tell us how that came to be.

Hauwa: Yes I am. Well, my role model is my brother and he's into politics. When I came into 100 level, I wanted to be the treasurer of my department (International studies) but it didn't happen. In 200 level, I  wanted to contest for deputy high commissioner of my department which is equivalent to Vice President but had obstacles along the way but i didn't allow it stop me as I went for Vice President II of my Faculty and emerged victorious. I'd be contesting for Vice President I of my faculty in the next polls.

OurSharedHope: Accept our gratitude for your service, we wish you the best of luck. Let's talk about your fellow comrades. Where do you see them in years to come now that the #NotTooYoungToRun bill has been passed?

Hauwa Sadisu

Hauwa: Thank you so much. Well, I see a bright future ahead of us. I see governors, senators and even honorable members. I believe they can become better leaders in as much as they'll drop the habits of our forefathers. They need to be selfless and work towards making Nigeria better again. I haven't lost all hope in Nigeria because I know we can do it.

OurSharedHope: Do you see the youths attitude as being that of corruption?

Hauwa: To be honest? Yes. (but not all) Some are not into a position to work but rather to loot funds.

OurSharedHope: Let's talk about your clothing brand; Moods Fabric.

Hauwa: MOODS formally known as Moods Fabrics is more than just a clothing line. When I started "Moods Fabrics" by October 2016, it was strictly selling of fabrics (materials). Due to so many requests from people because they love the bulbous and gowns I wear, I decided to start selling bulbous and gowns too. Subsequently, I added veils, bags, turban caps, Aseobi for wedding or any occasion as well as accessories. Oh yeah! The name "Moods Fabric" was given by a friend. I think she said something about my mood. (Laughs)

OurSharedHope: How then is the marketing process, how does one order?⁠⁠⁠⁠

Hauwa: Either through my Instagram page or my phone number (SMS or Call). Order, Pay then we will have it delivered. It's better that way because over the year, I've faced a lot of difficulties when I deliver before payment is made.

OurSharedHope: People these days... Where do you source you materials from?

Hauwa: You need a lot of patience dealing with people. I source my materials from Kaduna or Lagos or Niger. I think Niger has the best fabrics. Or maybe it's just my preference.

OurSharedHope: How has your customer response been?

Hauwa: So far so good, it's encouraging. They keep coming back for more or recommending me to their friends and family.

OurSharedHope: How has your family or friends helped in achieving this success?

Hauwa: They've been my biggest supporters. Whenever my mom sees something she's like "I want, I want." (laughs) At times I just tell her someone has bought it. Ya Moh's "keep the change" is the best. Who doesn't like extra money?  (Laughs) Ameenah, Nusaiba, Aisha Waziri and Umar Faruk have been my biggest supporters among my friends, they are always there to help and encourage me. Knowing I have people like them around me gives me joy! I'll forever be grateful to them.

OurSharedHope: You have been to fashion expo's...what was that like? Your best memories?

Hauwa Sadisu and AbdurRahim El-Marzuq
At the A.B.U Fiesta
(Food And Fashion Expo 2017)

Hauwa: I think it has to be the one I organized along side AbdurRahim El-Marzuq under the leadership of ABU SRC. The first "Fiesta" in Ahmadu Bello University. It was meant to have started by 10am. Past 1pm and it was a low turnout. I was so worried, I left the place to go dress up. Upon coming back, the place was full. I couldn't believe it. I actually cried tears of joy backstage after given a speech. Hugged all my friends and family that came. Some surprised me all the way from Kaduna, I couldn't just stop the tears from coming. I think that's the best one for me.

OurSharedHope: Where do you see MOODS in years to come?

Hauwa: With the current economic situation and low sales for a couple of months, I can't say for sure. People are mostly complaining about lack of money and what not. But I see a bright future ahead and I'll make sure I take MOODS to the next level. Already making plans of getting a shop!

OurSharedHope: I would take you back to student politics, In A.B.U they are students who do not even  know what the SRC stands for. Some are of the opinion that the school changes to SUG, what's your take on the reasons and opinions?

Hauwa: What does S.R.C stand for! Students' Representative Council. Personally, I don't even know why it's even called that. What do the SRC do for the benefit of the students? I'm still yet to see myself. Some are just there for their selfish interests or to make a name for themselves without them knowing it's past that. Representatives from various faculties are sent there to pursue their own interests. And you know, there is always conflict with clashing interests.

OurSharedHope: Do you also support a change to SUG?

Hauwa: SUG, SRC, don't they have similar goals and aspirations? Be it either, I think nothing would change.

Be sure to comment, share, ask questions, make corrections and yes, check your mail for you might just be our next hopeful. You can also register to receive mails notifying you of a new post (check the side bar) Or  send us a mail at oursharedhope@gmail.com or for a quicker response DM us @mroursharedhope on Twitter. Want to feature on our page adverts or sponsorship? Do send us a mail today.

From us here at OurSharedHope, we say thank you and stay hopeful.

The Femiy Art Brand

Dear Hopefuls,

Our hopeful for this week is;

Babalola Oluwafemi

Published Makeup and Sketch Artist

Femiy Art
Zaria - Nigeria.

Find out more by contacting The Femi Art Brand:
Instagram: femiy_artmazing_african
Mail: femiyarts@gmail.com - Mail
Telephone: 08033664400 (Office hours only)

He dicusses Art on this second season of OurSharedHope.

OursharedHope: Let's start with the individual; Introduce us to him.

Femiy: My name is Babalola Oluwafemi, I'm a Nigerian, born on February 8th 1993. I'm from Kogi State but born and raised in Zaria. First child from a family of three boys, Studied Fine Arts at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

OurSharedHope: So i guess Art started at a younger age?⁠⁠⁠⁠

Femiy: Not really...  It started when i was in secondary school. and I actually went on to study it in the university because I was lost and that was the only option I had. Funny as it might sound.

OurSharedHope: So who did you mean to become, what was the dream⁠⁠⁠⁠?

Design by Femiy Art

Femiy: I just knew I loved Art once I left the university but back then in school  I was just doing it to get the grades. But now that it's all I've got, it's now like a full profession. So i would really want to be as great as possible. Be that person to member in a talk when African Art is mentioned.

OurSharedHope: How did Femiy_Artmazing_African start?

Babalola Oluwafemi

Femiy: It all started when I was serving in Daura, Katsina state.  There was this friend of mine Deola, she was from Lagos. She was into makeup at that time and it really caught my eye, so told her i
wanted to try it out and she decided to teach me. She also said it was a very lucrative business out there because at that time in the North it was not common, so I decided to take it serious. Added my sketches to it and that was how it started. Opened an Instagram and Facebook page and started working, posting and getting comments, working and learning more every day.

OurSharedHope: Today you have made a portfolio for yourself, you have designed on faces of Artistes like Morell to mention just a few. Who and who have you had the opportunity of showcasing your art to: in form of Body painting or sketches. Where has your Art taking you?

Femi At Work

Femiy: Yeah my Art has taking me to places all thanks to God. I've had the oppurtinty to showcase my art on the faces of the Commissioner of Art, Kaduna State. The French Ambassador to Nigeria and Ramsey Noah to mention just a few. I see my Art speaking for me, I see myself traveling over seas, to countries.

OurSharedHope: Where do you practice this Art? Do you have a studio?

Femiy: I'm in Zaria, I work from home. I don't have a studio yet. but with time.

OurSharedHope: You also do sketches, body paintings, and of recent drawing on Items. such as laptops and books. How affordable are all these?

Femiy: Very very affordable, From  as low as 5 thousand Naira, you can get a good Art.

Body Designs By Femi

OurSharedHope: How does one contact you to get an Art?

Femiy: My manager handles that aspect..I just work or sometimes they contact me and I speak to them.

OurSharedHope: How does one get in contact with your manager? do you have a website or a designated line for bookings?⁠⁠⁠⁠

Femiy: You can send us a mail; Femiyarts@gmail.com or call 08033664400 to get started.

Be sure to comment, share, ask questions, make corrections and yes, check your mail for you might just be our next hopeful. You can also register to receive mails notifying you of a new post (check the side bar) Or  send us a mail at oursharedhope@gmail.com or for a quicker response DM us @mroursharedhope on Twitter. Want to feature on our page adverts or sponsorship? Do send us a mail today.

From us here at OurSharedHope, we say thank you and stay hopeful.

Meet The Writer: Muhammad Gulani

Dear Hopefuls,

Today we are doing something different,
We are appreciating Art.
Our appreciation is on:

Muhammad Gulani
Author: The Dream And Other Stories (2016)

B.A Archaeology (In View)
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
He is a Writer, a Poet and an Activist
Pioneer, Our Shared Hope

We share with you the review of his work:
A Risk Well Taken by Bello Zayyad

Muhammad Gulani deserves a place on the shelf of the writers library for he has a lot of beautiful and touching young stories to tell.

- Abdulsalam Rabiu

(OurSharedHope recognizes Abdulsalam Rabiu, Sketch Artist/C.E.O of Ghost Art Designs)

Muhammad Gulani is indeed mapping out a new Northern Nigeria and a new wold of storytelling.

- Ibrahim Usman

Al-Hikmah University, Illorin

In ten short stories, Gulani takes us on an adventure:

In The Dream, a woman heads a country but looses out on her identity as she looses her place in society. 

Love is a pure and powerful force, Laila and Feifers takes us back to relive their Memories.

In I Will Marry When I Want Gulani takes us to a society where child marriage is the norm but our young Katana makes choices of her own.

In her pursuit of education and success, she forgets about happiness and love only to regret this after achieving it all in the Over-Educated Black Woman 

A RISK WELL TAKEN

A review of Muhammad Gulani’s The Dream and Other Stories

By: Bello Zayyad

Feminism, a word with a thousand definitions. A word whose controversies know no end, a word drowned upon by the intense echoes of the unjust. Muhammad Gulani took a huge risk, summoning up the courage he never knew he had and dared bring to the table a controversial concept in a series of short stories. The risk actually paid off resulting in an enjoyable work with most of the stories raising the bars high while others lagged behind not because they fell below average but because they failed to match the charm of the brilliantly written stories.

The book with its deceptive yet intriguing cover denies you the opportunity to predict what it had in store for you (I.e if you choose to ignore the back cover). The author left no stones untouched to dig out those dead voices of opportunistic and ambitious women out there accompanied by unintentional flaws which were unexpectedly compensated with richly written stories despite the noticeable slow pacing in the initial stories which unfortunately couldn't be ignored. Also, the author deliberately (or probably unintentionally) confused the readers slightly due to the arrangement of the stories which we believed were not chronological but desperately non-fictional. Despite his obvious claims to make us believe that Memories was directly inspired by his real life complicated love life with a former flame, we knew there was more to it. The reason behind this statement of mine is drawn from a personal criticism.  You can't help but wonder why “Feifers” (who we suspect is the author himself) was briefly shown to have found love again with “Hubby” in the controversial yet enjoyable The Over-Educated Black Woman “Laila” on the other hand was said to be with “Ted” on a sofa discussing their love life which the author claimed was “Foreign” to the people present. Excuse me for these spoilers but at this juncture the author can deny anything but the fact is that he is “Feifers” and Fatima Aliyu is “Laila” (Sounds obvious, huh? DUH!) They have both moved on but still have feelings for each other and the bitter truth that “Ted” and “Hubby” were just being “used” in this seemingly unending love saga. However, the book is not an autobiography and our only source of evidence is the dedication of Memories…To Fatima Aliyu” Nevertheless, we would get the answers to our curious and stupid questions in his upcoming works.

Back to the matter at hand, I would review each of the stories in a particular order and not as they came in the book.

1.      Memories

Sweet, romantic, genuine and highly relatable. I can vehemently say that it is one of the best works in the book. This is because the author shockingly made us to not only feel for the protagonists but also feel like them. He showed us a personal guide to emotions and desperations in a complicated supposed one-sided love. A work which can only come from an author of immense talent that made us suspect the works originality. Although we were touched at the dedication, we hated the author for not making this particular story into a full novel with the likes of “Beautiful Disaster” , “The Weeping heart” and “Hired For The Master’s Bedroom” flooding our minds. It was that good.

2.      Girlie Prints

I found this work similar to “Memories”. It also dealt with a persons desperation from the inside out. Zainab Adamu’s involvement was obvious as the tone slightly drifted from feminism to realism in such a pure and honest way. However, despite the work being somehow relatable, I have to criticize the protagonists’ way of seeing life only from the dark side making us believe that some people depended on others to be happy (which is actually true) and not learning to adjust to whatever it is that life has to offer.

3.      The Dream

Muhammad Gulani
Zaria Academy Awards 2015

We had no choice but to give up our guesses to why the author chose this work to appear in the collection despite having much better stories than it. Possibly he saved the best for latter as we obviously noticed that he got better by each story. What we don't know is whether he wrote the stories in a chronological order. This story deals with the sexism faced by women in the world we found out, it also did justice by enlightening on the consequences likely to occur to the acts of desperation by feminists. Muhammad Gulani proved to be not only a feminist but a realist in this work and luckily, it paid off.

4.      I Will Marry When I Want/I Want To Marry

It is similarities to “The Dream”. It's undeniable yet it is far better than the latter. The two merged stories are nothing but the word FEMINISM written in bold. Despite being not realistic at all especially in this part of the country, we have to admit is is beautifully written despite the fast pacing. It is not an averagely written story either but it dare not stand near “Memories” or “Celebration” or even “Girlie Prints”

5.      Lesson Never Learnt

Indeed, a mother is a priceless Jewell that no one can ever buy. She is one irreplaceable creature and obviously one of the best gifts the world had to offer. This story did not just stop at touching our souls with bare cold hands but gathered the courage we never saw coming and weakened our bones entirely. The only thing it left us was a cold whispering prayer on our dry lips to not end up like the protagonist, its’ effects implanted in our hearts an immense love not only to our mothers but also to our dear ones. The touching narration overshadowed all the flaws in the story.

6.      One Mans’ Vote

The most formal and intense story of the collection should be expected to come with lots of guts and controversies. “One Mans’ Vote” is the kind of story that you can't help but wish every citizen of your country reads. It was smartly written to address all the bitter truth we always choose to ignore as citizens of our country. Different factors such as tribalism, religious and racial bigotry, sexism and other forms of discrimination are brought to the table whenever the votes of the masses are required by the ruthless and selfish politicians. This work discusses the issue from the inside out and reminded us that a system built to divide us cannot stand. The author should be really proud of this work as it is intensely flawless.

7.      Celebration

Interestingly this is amongst my three best stories in the collection despite my efforts to not rate the work from my least favorite to my personal best. The story automatically lifts your soul to cloud nine with the intention of dropping you in a fantasy land but instead you become trapped in a bubble which takes you on a colorful adventure to visually experience the beauty of the world. I personally recommend this story to the protagonist in “Girlie Prints”. This is just a perfection as its best from start to finish, period.

8.      Prediction

This is the one I loved and hated at the same time, what a paradox huh? I know right? What I loved about it was its genuineness, narration and the fact that it spontaneously took a best Friend relationship to another level from a dirty perspective which I personally enjoyed. What I hated about it however, was the impact it had on me. “Prediction” was beautifully written on a paper soiled completely in suspense, flooded by a fountain of an exciting adventure. The story is so on the money and yes that second to the last paragraph was worth dying for. It's such a difficult task to decide on which was a better story amongst “Prediction” and “Celebration” and “Memories” as they all raised the bar high enough be out of the sights of the other works excluding “One Mans’ Vote”

9.      The Over-Educated Black Woman

Luckily I saved the best for last. If only Jane Austen had lived another century would this work had been read by millions of people out there. Despite having the unnoticeable “Feifers – Laila – Ted – Hubby” controversial distraction in it, it was a winner. Roaring itself past all the other stories in the collection (surprisingly including “Celebration” and “Prediction”). It raised the bar yet again but this time to sky limit becoming the only memorable work in the whole book. Yeah, you read that right. The twist and suspense in it cannot be ignored either, especially when you realize that the book the protagonist read at the end contains the same story you read (spooky right?. The story had the soul needed by “Girlie Prints” and “I Want To Marry”. In fact saying that this is the authors finest work is an understatement which feels like he is being denied the credits he truly deserves. It also always comes to mind whenever you come across a hardcore reader be it male or female, which makes you pray silently, hoping they don't end up as “The Over-Educated Black Woman”. Just like when William Shakespeare released “Romeo And Juliet” no other previous work of his mattered, “The Over-Educated Black Woman” stood tall while carving a niche for itself where no other stories mattered anymore. In fact, there is just nothing boring in this work from start to finish, the pacing was also a winner.

It is quite challenging for one to judge the book as a whole however, it's definitely  what you would recommend to a friend, book reader or not because you don't just want them to enjoy the stellar stories but also to be part of the experience. Take away the errors and you will find the perfect debut for such a mind blowing talent. Kudos! To the author: Muhammad Gulani – the next big thing. We will all be looking forward to your best work till date.