Refugee Camp Story Wins BBC Hausa’s First Women’s Short Story Writing Contest
he BBC Hausa Service has announced Sansanin ’Yan Gudun Hijira (Refugee Camp) by Aisha Muhammad Sabitu as the winner of its first-ever short story writing contest. Aisha, who is from Katsina in Nigeria, says she was inspired to write the story by a visit to an IDP camp in Adamawa State.
Her story offers a creative and powerful glimpse into the lives of those displaced by the Boko Haram crisis in the northeast of Nigeria.
The lead judge, Dr. Aliya Adamu Ahmad says: “When I was invited to be a judge I did not know who the other judges were, but we found out that the story has appeared on the selection of more than one judge. That tells you the strength of the story—its plot, characterisation, style, and language.”
The first and second runners-up have been selected by the judges as Sai Yaushe? (Till When?) by Amina Hassan Abdulsalam and In Da Rai (As long as there is life) by Amina Gambo, respectively.
Twelve other stories have also been selected by the judges as worthy of mention.
This unique contest was launched for the first time earlier this year to give female writers a voice and platform to express themselves creatively, and over 200 entries were received from countries across the world.
Jimeh Saleh, Acting Editor of the BBC Hausa Service, says: “We are very pleased with the level of interest the contest has generated and the quality of the winning entries. We are delighted to be give these talented women an opportunity to tell their stories.”
The winner and two runners up will each receive a cash prize and plaque at an awards night in Abuja on the 28th of October.
Audiences of BBC Hausa will be able to listen to excerpts of the 15 selected stories very soon