The Learners' Den

From the shared testimonies of married couples and insights from marriage counselors, I understood that there are no married couples that can brag about their marriage being an endless hitch-free sailing. Even though differently, it’s almost akin to the highs and lows of a bachelor’s life. This uncomfortable reality is one of the many reasons that nudge us to imbibe the culture of patience and proper reactions to survive its turbulence waves.  Yesterday, in the afternoon, during a taxi ride in Kano, I overheard the driver lambasting his wife over the phone. His tone and words were brimming with frustration because she hadn't informed him in advance about the finished state of some specific food items. He was annoyed with her and curtly said to prepare the dinner with whatever she had available, and abruptly ended the phone call before she even explained herself. His behavior makes me sick, knowing the fact that she’s his wife. She immediately called him back after he hung up on her...

As I stepped into the small shop, I noticed a young couple standing near the counter making a purchase. The shop's dim incandescent lighting cast a soft glow on their faces, illuminating the genuine happiness they seemed to exude. The man appeared to be in his late twenties, thanks to his baby-faced appearance. He wore a tight-fitting white Kaftan that accentuated his plump figure. Plus his friendly smile revealed a sense of contentment. By his side stood a noticeably younger woman, gracefully attired in an ash-colored Abaya. Her attentive gaze and poised posture hinted at her deep engagement in the ongoing conversation between her husband and the shop owner. Curiosity piqued, the shop owner couldn't help but inquire, "Is she your wife?" The husband's warm expression only grew brighter as he replied, "We got married last month." The shop owner extended his congratulations, his voice filled with sincerity and warmth. "Oh, congratulations! May Allah ...

Participants at the second session of the SIF Marriage in Arewa, the northern region of Nigeria, is an important cultural and religious ritual. However, like any other area, it has many concerns and obstacles.  On Sunday, February 12, 2023, some selected brilliant minds gathered in Ahmadu Bello University Zaria for the second session of the Students Intellectual Forum (SIF) and intensely explored the topic, "Marriage in Arewa: Issues, Challenges, and Solutions." At the start of the session, Sani Musa Ibrahim, the chairman, and moderator delivered a warm welcome address before journalist Aliyu Jalal gave a thought-provoking opening speech. During his remarks, Aliyu not only explored the processes of marriages in Northern Nigeria but also drew attention to rising divorce rates and marital strains in the area, giving greater context to the topic at hand. He also posed questions on the root causes, including issues with marriage views, social media, excessive wedding ...