A week in the life of a 17-year-old in Nigeria — Assembly

Monday

I woke up at 8:30 a.m. this morning. It’s quite refreshing to be able to wake up any time you want knowing that you’ve finished secondary school. I finished earlier this year (in July, to be specific) and I plan on furthering my education at university to study paediatrics.

I drank some fruit tea and had a shower. I then put a bit of incense around the house. Incense are quite common around the northern part of Nigeria, especially among the Kanuris and Shuwas, which are two ethnic groups in this region. Incenses are called “Ka’aji” in the Kanuri language. To be honest, putting incense around the house is the only chore I enjoy doing apart from cooking.

Later in the day, I had my hand decorated with henna by a henna artist. She was so nice and I left the henna on for about two hours to get a maroon stain. I had dinner and had a warm bath and then got ready for bed.

I had my hand decorated with henna by a henna artist. (Courtesy of Hauwa Mohammed)

Tuesday

Today, I woke up a bit earlier and helped my mum with breakfast. After breakfast and finishing my daily routine, I transplanted my aloe vera plant into the garden. I didn’t think it would survive when I first got it from a friend, because it started wilting. But after a few days, it started to become green and succulent, which made me quite happy. I also took some photos of flowers in the garden. My clothes were delivered from the tailor today, they just needed a little height adjustment. I was quite happy as the last time I took my clothes to a tailor, I was so disappointed.

Flower from my garden. (Courtesy of Hauwa Mohammed)

Later on, I cut some fruit for everyone and then I watched some television. I like watching thriller movies. I rewatched a favourite of mine called “Eye in the Sky.” I then got ready for bed after updating my Roll Call entries.

Wednesday

This morning, I woke up wanting to pamper my face so after finishing my chores, I gently massaged some moisturising honey and almond face scrub. After washing it off, I applied a seaweed mud mask and left it on for approximately 10 minutes. I also washed it off with some warm water and then I had a hot shower.

Today, I decided to visit my aunt. It has been quite long since I last saw her and I missed her so much. After coming back home, I decided to make some samosas as I have been craving them for some days. I spent approximately three hours making them as I had to start from scratch, but it was worth it. After finishing everything I went to bed as I was so tired.

I decided to make some samosas as I have been craving them for some days. (Courtesy of Hauwa Mohammed)

Thursday

I woke up around 7 a.m. today. It was too early for my liking but I could not get back to sleep so I decided to arrange my books neatly after taking my bath. While arranging my books, I made a mental note to get new books including “We are Displaced: My Journey and Stories from Refugee Girls Around the World” by Malala Yousafzai.

I also found an incomplete poem I started writing about eight months ago. The poem was about girl child education. I don’t write poems. This is the second time I’m writing a poem, the first being an English language assignment. The unfortunate state of girl child education inspired me to write this poem. I hoped to convey the message that girl child education is really not negotiable. I then completed the poem. It was quite hard but at the end, I was really proud of myself.

I was quite bored today and I decided to have a nap. After I woke up, I watched some do it yourself (DIY) YouTube videos on how to make jewellery. I decided to call it a day and I went to bed.

The unfortunate state of girl child education inspired me to write this poem. I hoped to convey the message that girl child education is really not negotiable. (Courtesy of Hauwa Mohammed)

Friday

I woke up feeling a bit under the weather today so I stayed in bed until noon. After having breakfast and taking some pills, I felt much better. My mother made her famous Zobo drink, which is produced from dry roselle or sorrel leaves. It’s very refreshing. I went through old picture albums too and laughed at the funny pictures.

My cousin and her family visited us later in the day. We had so much fun. It has been a long time since we last saw them. I did not realise how much I missed them until I saw them.

My mother made her famous Zobo drink, which is produced from dry roselle or sorrel leaves. It’s very refreshing. (Courtesy of Hauwa Mohammed)

Saturday

Today, I woke up by 7 a.m. involuntarily. I quickly did my chores and got ready for Islamiyyah (a place where Islamic books are taught).

On my way back home, I had a conversation with my friend on how an increasing number of parents and their daughters in our community are learning the importance of secondary and tertiary education for girls. It was quite pleasing knowing that years ago, most people did not allow their daughters to have the basic primary education and how they used to believe a girl’s place is only limited to the kitchen. But the story is different now. More people are aware of the capabilities of the female gender. I didn't face any difficulties in completing my education because my mother is a firm believer of girls’ education and empowerment. But because many girls still face challenges, I think that more enlightenment is needed.

After arriving home, I had a quick shower and ate some lunch. Later on, I went to the market to get some provisions. I also wanted to stop over at the salon but then it was getting dark so I decided to go tomorrow.

I wanted to eat some doughnuts so I used the mini doughnut maker to make some, even though they didn’t turn out the way I wanted them. They weren’t fluffy enough.

Sunday

It rained cats and dogs today, but nevertheless, I still went to Islamiyyah. On our way back, my friends and I joked about how one of our friends will be a really good actress because she loves watching films. She kept on mumbling saying she does not want to be an actress.

By the time I got back home, I was too tired to go to the salon so I decided to wash my hair at home and then go to the salon next time. I also made jollof spaghetti for lunch, which is literally spaghetti in tomato sauce.

Today is the last day in my Roll Call diary and I thought how fun it has been sharing these seven days of my life.