Photo: Meet Hajara, the first Hausa Muslim female wing commander

Hajara began her career as a non-commissioned
officer in 1986. She rose to become the first
Hausa Muslim woman from a core Northern state
to reach the rank of Wing Commander, equivalent
to Lieutenant Colonel in the Army.
Hajara, a daughter of late Marafan Birnin Kudu,
Colonel Bashari Umaru, from Birnin Kudu in
Jigawa State, is currently the Chief Matron of
Armed Forces Medical Hospital, Kano. She has
been to war in Congo, served at Ibadan, Kaduna,
among other places within the country.
She was born in Dorayi Quarters on March 19,
1964, and grew up in Yakasai quarters of Kano,
and later began her early education at wagwarwa
Primary School, and later joined St. Louis Primary
School.
Being a bright student, Hajara gained admission
into Queen’s College, Lagos and St. Louis
Secondary School, Kano. She would have chosen
the former option but for her dad’s transfer to
Kano. After completing her secondary education,
she joined School of Nursing, Kano.
It was at that school that she took the decision
to join the Nigerian Air Force, following
recruitment drive for medical personnel.
"It was actually a dramatic situation. My mom
Hajiya didn’t like it at all. And my dad pretends
that he also didn’t like it in order to please her.
But he actually encouraged me and respected my
choice," the widow said.