Even though some school of taught opined that reading culture is on the declining level, I have strong contrary opinion to that notion. Because it is in the contemporary that many young people are now into book writing especially in our mother tongues unlike before when reverse was the case, imaging the level of reading across even the Social Media and increasingly extent people are now addicted to learning indigenous language, Nupe inclusive. People are now reading, writing and publishing beyond the breadth of our forefathers.
The 24 pages book by my sister Aisha Hussaina Idris Manarakis titled _*”Ewo Na Soko Kin Na”*_ counted among such published books by young authors; containing ten topical issues embedded in poems and short stories layout.
Aisha Hussaina Manarakis a student of Mass Communication, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, studied earlier at the Justice Fati Lami Institute of Legal and Administrative Studies (FLAILAS) Minna, she also works with the Badeggi Radio as a Nupe newscaster, coupled with her competency as a facilitator in the Indigenous Languages Learning Center (ILLEC) which was founded by a brother and an advocate of Nupe language promotion Adamu Idris Manarakis who also wrote the forward of the book.
I have an habit of reading books starting with the last page backwards to the front pages, and front the moment a copy of the book manuscript was sent to me by Manarakis who is also my associate, the last story on the book sub-titled “Nupe Gunkin Wo Wo?” (How Well Do you Understand Nupe?) attracted my attention, centering on an interesting discussion by two characters namely _Gbongboroko_ and _Ndakpan_ in an office environment who extensively but briefly talked about how to foster Nupe language speaking and writing skills with enthusiasm.
That story is not only an eye-opener to those who have disdain for their mother tongue, but it capable of motivating the young people to speak in Nupe language fluently to the admiration of people wherever they may found themselves.
The first story as contained in _Ewo Na Soko Kin Na_ is also another fascinating narration on matrimonial trouble between rivals and their husband, showing why every family always have its share of good and bad minds as well as how the good person prosper while bad ones ended up with repercussions.
The entire short stories by Hussaina Idris Manarakis ranges up to ten as earlier mentioned, the preliminary pages were all written in Nupe as well translated in English language. I wish the entire contents inclusive of all the stories are translated in English too side-by-side in the same manner as the title lines.
Hussaina Manarakis has honed her wisdom, it’s left for us to at all times promote Nupe language in all ramifications as I hereby recommend this book _*”_Ewo Na Soko Kin Na_ “*_ to every young, the old, schools across Kin Nupe and particularly to all parent to have a copy of the book in their houses and try to read it regularly to their children. The younger generation should also try to read the book and every other Nupe books, especially, the reading should be encouraged among themselves in every family and community levels.
Umar S. Adamu (NTA),
Diplomat, Historian, Media Pundit, Orator and Strategist. He can be reached via: [email protected]
