umar ibrahim

The Story of Esther in Northern Nigeria POV: You’re a Christian nurse posted to a village in Jigawa where almost everyone around you is Muslim. My people, come and hear my experience! The day I arrived in Yanduse community in Jigawa State, it was already evening. I looked around the place, and one thing caught my attention immediately. No church. Nothing. Not even one that I could see! I said, “God, I hope You know where they have posted Your daughter to ooo!” I started wondering how I was going to cope. Where would I worship? How would I adjust? What exactly was waiting for me in this village? Thankfully, the community chairman reassured me that there were churches in the local government area. This was just the village, and I could always go out to worship. I calmed down small. So I travelled back, packed my belongings, and returned to resume work. My people, that was when the real cultural adjustment started! You see, in that community, the women covered their hair and dressed modestly. Meanwhile, I was used to moving around with my hair uncovered. Sometimes, I would leave my room confidently, only to remember halfway that I had forgotten to cover my hair. And do you know how I would remember? THE LOOKS! I would suddenly notice people looking at me, and my brain would go: “Esther! Esther!! YOU DIDN'T COVER YOUR HAIR!” Next thing, I would turn around, rush back to my room, grab my scarf, and come out again. There were even times I would be almost at my destination, and once I was sure nobody was watching, I would quietly remove the scarf. Ah! Sometimes, I felt like I was being boxed in. I kept asking myself, “Esther, how are you going to survive months of this?” But guess what? I ADAPTED! Little by little, I got used to the environment. I learnt to respect the culture, understand the people, and find my own rhythm in the community. And the funny thing is that the day I took this picture, I was in the clinic, and I decided to wear my native outfit with a gele-style headwrap. Look at me now! From the girl who was worried about covering her hair to the girl who could dress up, embrace the moment, and appreciate the experience. Looking back, I am genuinely grateful to God for that chapter of my life. I went to Yanduse as a nurse, but I learnt so much more than nursing. I learnt patience, cultural sensitivity, humility, and how to live peacefully with people whose religion and way of life were different from mine. And let me say this: the people of Jigawa were so kind and welcoming to me. The women, the children, and the community at large made the experience meaningful. We may worship differently, dress differently, and come from different backgrounds, but kindness is a language we can all understand. So yes, I was a Christian nurse working in a community where Islam was the dominant religion, and I learnt that you don't have to become someone else to live respectfully with people who are different from you. Sometimes, all you need is an open heart, a little patience, and the willingness to learn. My experience also showed me that Northern Nigeria is peaceful and that Northerners are accommodating and welcoming to people from different religious and cultural backgrounds. #North