YEARS BACK
Dr. Sale Habule Safana was the full name of Dr. Safwan’s father, son of the late Justice Habule Safana. Justice Habule struggled in public service until his death.
Dr. Sale Habule Safana was born in Safana town, Katsina State. When he was seven years old, his father passed away. His mother, Hajiya Maryam—fondly called Hajiya Mama—raised him until adulthood. He attended Barewa College, Zaria, for his secondary school education, where he met his best friend, Kabir Kankia. Since they both hailed from the same state, their friendship grew strong.
After completing secondary school, they both gained admission into Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria—Sale studied Medicine while Kabir studied Political Science. Despite their different courses, they often met whenever they had no lectures. Life went on until Kabir completed his degree and pursued a Master’s, while Sale went for his National Youth Service (NYSC).
Sale served in Adamawa State, where he met Safwan’s mother, Hadiza. Hadiza, a native of Adamawa of Fulani descent, was an orphan raised by her uncle, Baffa Sani. Though she had only secondary education, she had deep knowledge of Islamic studies. Before Sale completed his service year, their marriage was arranged with the support of Hajiya Mama.
During that period, Kabir traveled to Spain for his PhD. When he returned and learned that his best friend Sale had married, he was delighted—especially because Hadiza was a beautiful, tall woman with fine features, long hair, intelligence, calmness, and good manners. After NYSC, Sale began working in Aminu Kano Hospital. He wanted to move his family to Kano, but Hajiya Mama refused, so he left them in Safana, visiting only on weekends.
Kabir eventually ventured into politics after completing his studies. His parents married him to Karimatu, his cousin. Karimatu was short, dark, not beautiful, envious, and always scheming. From her youth, she had dreamed of marrying a wealthy man. Despite her flaws, Kabir reluctantly accepted her.
Kabir later became Secretary to the Military Government in Katsina. Around that time, Hadiza gave birth to Safwan. From that very moment, Karimatu developed envy and hatred toward Hadiza, because Hadiza surpassed her in beauty, intelligence, and good character. Karimatu constantly looked for ways to spite her. Even Hajiya Mama noticed and once told Kabir:
“Why did you bring this troublemaker of a woman into the family?”
Kabir only smiled in response, while Karimatu glared at Hajiya Mama.
Safwan grew up pampered. By the time his father traveled to London for further studies, Safwan was five years old. When he returned three years later, he had become a consultant doctor. Safwan’s parents then enrolled him at Nigerian Turkish School. After Safwan’s birth, Hadiza never conceived again.
Life continued peacefully until Safwan completed secondary school. On his way back from Kano one day, Dr. Sale had a fatal accident and passed away. His death shocked family and friends. Alhaji Kabir deeply mourned the loss of his best friend, but accepted it as God’s will.
Hajiya Mama and Hadiza—whom Safwan fondly called Momma—focused all their love and attention on Safwan. He later traveled to Malaysia for his medical studies, spending 12 years before returning as a gynecologist.
Meanwhile, with support from Alhaji Kabir, Dr. Sale’s family opened a private hospital. Safwan also partnered with his colleague from Malaysia, Dr. Tahir Aminu, a fellow Nigerian. Together, they built a successful practice.
Although Alhaji Kabir supported Dr. Sale’s family, his wife Karimatu grew resentful, angry that he was generous toward them.
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WHO IS SAKINATU?
Sakinatu Kabir Kankia was the daughter of Commissioner Alhaji Kabir Kankia and Hajiya Karima (popularly called Hajiya Kari). She had three sisters: Salma (married to a controller in Port Harcourt), Laila (married to a businessman in Kano), and Ummi (the youngest).
Sakinatu, Laila, and their mother shared the same arrogant, disrespectful traits, unlike Salma and Ummi who turned out better. Sakinatu studied Business Administration, later pursued her Master’s in London, and returned to Nigeria to start a business. Her father supported her financially. She began importing clothes, shoes, bags, and accessories from Dubai. Within two years, she had expanded into multiple branches in Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, and Gombe, under names like Sakina Boutique & Cosmetics and Sakinat Shoes.
Hajiya Kari never instilled discipline in her children, and because her husband was always busy, the household was under her control. This made Sakinatu grow up proud, disrespectful, and arrogant.
Though she wasn’t naturally beautiful—short, dark, with a flat nose and thick lips—she bleached her skin, wore horse-hair weaves, and always dressed in expensive outfits. She despised poor people and was notorious for her pride and arrogance.
One day, while visiting her Kaduna shop, she fell ill and was admitted to Dr. Safwan’s hospital. That first encounter stole her heart. At first, she thought it was just admiration, but back home she realized she had fallen deeply in love with him. She tried several ways to approach him, but he didn’t respond.
Her mother, Hajiya Kari, was against the relationship, claiming he wasn’t good enough for her daughter. But Sakinatu was determined. She persisted until she won his heart. Their relationship blossomed into true love.
When Alhaji Kabir heard the news, he was overjoyed at the prospect of having a son-in-law like Dr. Safwan. He embraced him warmly, happy that his late friend’s son would become part of his family.
