Is this story now crude and too late to be told?

Is this story now crude and too late to be told? Will it read like one of those stories from ‘back in the days’? Is this era gone now? Or is it still with us?

Well, Akowe still works his menial job and his very early marriage to Alami has clocked the 13th year. Through these thirteen years, Akowe has had Alikeju, his first child and daughter of six children and is not satisfied as only one of them, the second is a boy. According to Akowe, he desires “an empire and a kingdom” where it is the boys that would grow into men and rule. “The girls will grow into women and be married off”, he believes. In the midst of these, Akowe has borne the torture on his ego from his friends who ridicule him for not having more wives as they do. In this 13th year of his marriage, therefore, he has resolved to take another wife. He is sure that although family size will increase, the women always have their way of ensuring the family does not lack food, at least, as little as would be enough to survive. For instance, if there was no food in the house, items from Alami’s make-shift store had always sufficed even if it meant that she would always run at a loss. Akowe’s mind is made up to bring home a new wife.

Given Akowe’s preference for boys and his perception of the future of the girls, the fate of his girl-children and the more children he will bear, especially regarding education is the reality of many girls who in reality today, are out of school in many parts of rural Nigeria. As short as the Akowe fiction is, it shows the complex narrative, challenges and societal expectations that many families face. It mirrors the struggles of numerous girls for quality education in rural Nigeria. Akowe’s story is therefore, a poignant reminder of the urgent need for empowering girls through education. Akowe’s desire for an “empire and a kingdom” where boys are groomed to rule while girls are destined for marriage reflects deeply ingrained gender roles.

This preference for male heirs perpetuates a cycle of limited opportunities for girls, as seen in Akowe’s determination to expand his family with the hope of having more sons. Influenced by societal norms, Akowe faces ridicule from his peers for not adhering to the tradition of having multiple wives. This pressure contributes to his decision to take another wife, emphasizing the societal expectations that often limit the choices and agency of women. Amid Akowe’s aspirations and societal pressures, Alami, his first wife, plays a crucial role in sustaining the family. Her make-shift store becomes a lifeline, even if it means operating at a loss. This dynamic mirrors the resilience of many women in rural areas who strive to provide for their families, often with limited resources. The fate of Akowe’s girl-children in terms of education echoes the harsh reality faced by many girls in rural Nigeria. The decision to prioritize boys over girls perpetuates a cycle of inequality.

However, empowering girls through quality education can break this cycle, offering them the tools to shape their destinies and contribute meaningfully to society. Similarly, grooming boys to recognize the peculiarity, significance, and complementarity in the duality of femininity and masculinity can produce a generation of men who will advocate equal opportunities for all. To break the cycle portrayed in Akowe’s story, there is an urgent need to advocate for and invest in quality education for girls. Akowe’s dilemma sheds light on the challenges faced by many families in rural Nigeria, reflecting the broader issue of limited access to quality education for girls. By addressing these challenges and advocating for educational equality, we can pave the way for a brighter, more equitable future where every girl has the opportunity to realize her full potential.

Now, is Akowe’s story crude and too late to be told? Did it read like one of those stories from ‘back in the days’? Is this era gone now? Or is it still with us?

Written by Salifu Peter Ogohi.