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.

Source: Jaafar Jafaar