By Aisha Hussaina Idris Manarakis, Bida.
In 2018, Manarakis attended Minna-BAF, an occasion for the promotion of Literature and writing skills in Nigeria. He met with some high profile Nigerians who graced the occasion in various functions.
There he met the First Woman Novelist from Northern Nigeria in person of Professor Zaynab Alkali. She called him by name; *Manarakis na Nupawa….* He was emotionally happy for a Professor of Language to give him such a mighty recognition, it’s something of joy.
Manarakis is a native Language promotor, he specializes in the Promotion of Nupe Language and this is one of the things that sale him to people quickly.
It is in Nupe Culture to say a thank you to someone who does something good for you. They always like to pay back immediately with accolades by saying *thank you plus with a special gift.* That culture is an emulation the kind gesture of Etsu Nupe whom is one of the most recognized monarch in Nigeria.
Professor Asabe is a Professor of Oral and African Literature from the Department of Modern European Languages and Linguistics, Usmanu Danfodio University Sokoto, she said in Nupe *Ryatwa ga e lo ryatwa u fe u zhin ko?* meaning, “givers never lack.” This short expression made Manarakis extremely happy.
So, Manarakis informed Professor Zaynab Alkali that by God’s Grace he will translate her first Book: *The Stillborn* to Nupe Language. Prof was happy too and she gave him a copy of her book. As God could have it, Manarakis started the translation of The Stillborn since 2018 and have a conclusion in August, 2024.
*A Brief Biography of Prof Zaynab Alkali*
“Her Islamic family came from a village in Borno State, Nigeria, but moved to a Christian village in Gongola State, where she was brought up. She graduated from Bayero University, Kano, with a BA in 1973, obtaining an MA in African Literature in English in 1979. The first woman novelist from Northern Nigeria, she is Senior Lecturer in English at the University of Maiduguri, Borno State.
*The Summary of The Stillborn
“This novel is centred around the experiences of women in contemporary Nigeria. It follows the adolescent plans and dreams of Li as she struggles for independence against the traditional values of her family home, marriage and the lure of the city and all it can offer.”
