An indigene of Kaltungo, Gombe state, Dr. Hadiza Abigail Agbo is a lecturer in the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University of Jos and a Consultant with the Jos University Teaching Hospital. Born into the polygamous family of late Alhaji Yunusa Kaltungo, the Leader of the House of Representatives during the Shagari administration, Hadiza is also a community health volunteer passionate about girl-child education. She is married to Barrister Dennis Agbo from Okpoga, Benue state, and they are blessed with four children. In this interview with MUHAMMAD TANKO SHITTU, she talks about her early life, her expectation about the future of the girl-child and other experiences
How was life as a young girl and where did you school?
Life at the early stage was interesting. I grew up in an environment where I lacked nothing, but with some challenges. To God be the glory, because it all turned out to be positive. My mother was a nurse with the army (now retired) and had four girls. Eight years later, she had two boys, then the last girl, so it is better imagined what she went through having four girls in a polygamous setting, while her rivals had boys. My mum made our education her priority and constantly reminded us that education is our key to success in life in a male dominated world. My elder sister is Justice Rakiya Hasstrup of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria and my younger siblings – Dr Hajiya Bilkisu, a Veterinary consultant /lecturer at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria; Dr Zainab is a Consultant Plastic Surgeon with the Federal Medical Centre Gombe; Engineer Akilu is now in Manchester, United Kingdom and Hamza just graduated from the University.
I attended Command Children School Kaduna; Army Children School, Minna (when my mother was transferred to the military hospital in Minna), and later returned to Kaduna where I finished from Army Children School New Cant ‘A’ Kaduna. I proceeded to Government Girls’ Secondary School, Zonkwa, where I completed my Secondary education in 1985. I went to the Institute of Education in ABU, Zaria where I studied education. On completion I came to the University of Jos where I studied Medicine. I did my housemanship at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), which was where I also had my residency training in Community Medicine. On completion, I passed my fellowship examination and was awarded Fellow of the West African College of Physicians (FWACP). Subsequently, I was appointed a lecturer in the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Jos and a consultant with the Jos University Teaching Hospital. In between these periods, however, I have worked with a number of private organisations – BIMMA Orthopedic Hospital and Sauki Hospital, all in Jos, Plateau state.
How has it been coping with the home front?
It has not been easy as a professional working mother and wife, but I have a very understanding spouse who has been very encouraging. This has made things a lot easier.
What motivated you into the medical line, after studying education initially at ABU? Was it because your mother was a nurse?
What I wanted to study from the onset was Medicine. Yes, my mum’s nursing profession influenced me, especially her passion and dedication to work and particularly her white uniform with the military decorations at the shoulders, though she resigned from the Army in the late 70s.
What were the challenging moments of your educational pursuit, especially a girl child?
As mentioned earlier, my parents were educated, but my mother ensured that nothing distracted us from our educational pursuit. The challenge was mainly psychological, because the male preference in educational pursuit was obvious.
As a lecturer and a consultant physician, how has it been like?
I have an obligation as a lecturer to teach the medical students and also improve myself academically through publications; and as a consultant, to train the resident doctors and see patients in the hospital. As a consultant physician in Community Medicine, where I am well-equipped with research skills, this has helped me a lot as a lecturer. I have about twenty research works published in reputable local and international journals in barely three years as a lecturer.
As a regular volunteer worker on the field, what motivated the selfless services and where are these services rendered?
Women, the girl-child and the less privileged are my main targets and the driving force in serving humanity. Before and after the creation of Gombe state, we often educated gatherings of the girl-child on the importance of education and on health issues. I have also worked with a Jos-based NGO – Islamic Counselling Initiatives of Nigeria (ICIN) – to educate the handicapped students on health matters in FCT Abuja. I also work with HADASA ministry, a Non-government religious organisation, where we go on outreaches to rural communities.
Moreover, I have been presenting a live programme on the radio arm of Plateau Radio Television Cooperation on health issues and I regularly educate the Catholic Women Organization/Zumunta Mata at Archdiocesan and Provincial gatherings on health issues and other related matters. In collaboration with some of my colleagues, under the sponsorship of Universal Basic Education (UBE)/University of Jos consultancy, primary school teachers from all the 17 LGAs in Plateau state were educated over three days on Hepatitis B/HIV/AIDS and other health issues. During the recently celebrated Easter, we educated the teenagers on the prevention of Cervical Cancer, to both the Christians and Muslims, whom we invited through the Federation of Muslim Women in Nigeria (FOMWAN).
Besides culture, what other factors do think are affecting the girl-child education in Nigeria?
The issue of insecurity is a factor hindering the enrolment of the girl-child into schools. For instance, with the unfortunate incidence at Chibok in Borno state where female students were abducted, it will go a long way in setting back the education of our girl-child. The negative impact may not be obvious immediately, but it will adversely affect female education in the nearest future, particularly in the North. As a female professional I am calling on parents not to be deterred from sending their female children to school. I’m not saying you should ignore your culture or religion, but even in her husband’s house she can continue with her education.
Another factor is that of the government policies on education. We need policies that will encourage the girl-child, especially in areas where culture and religion is a problem to female education. Educating the girl-child is empowering her to be useful and productive; even when married she will be useful to her husband, children and her parents. That is why we are going about educating female pupils and students, most importantly calling on their parents to ensure that they get enrolled in schools.
What do you envisage in the future of the girl-child?
The future is challenging, but hopeful for the girl-child and with determination we will prosper. I have a passion about the educational and well-being of the girl-child generally. As I said, we are evolving and we will get there. All that the female folks need is the backing from the government, but the government keeps relegating the female folks to the background. Look at the percentage of women in the ongoing confab; they are very few.
Even when you come to the political field, it is the same, though I sometimes blame us because we go on electing the men leaving our women.
Are you satisfied with the level of school enrolment of the girl-child?
No, I am not. Look at all the professional fields; it is so skewed towards the male gender. In some certain professions one hardly finds females.
What is your advice to families on the issue of health and hygiene?
It is said that Health is Wealth, so for females and families generally, I will advise that it is always good to be conscious of their health. This healthcare does not only entail ill health, but it entails knowing about the status of your health through regular medical examination. This is very important, because early detection of impending disease may be cured.
Do you belong to some professional bodies and have you bagged any award?
Yes. I am a member of the Nigerian Medical Association, a member of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, a member of the Public Health Physicians of Nigeria, a member of the Catholic Medical Practitioners of Nigeria and also a member of the International Association of Catholic Medical Doctors. I have bagged only two merit awards from the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students of Nigeria.
What are your likes and dislikes?
The most disturbing thing that I do not like to remember is this issue of insecurity. Whenever I compare the first time I came to Jos and now, it makes me very sad. Jos was very peaceful then. One could move freely into anywhere and live in any part of Jos. Do you know I once lived in Angwan Rogo during my undergraduate years? I think the way forward is to encourage inter-ethnic and inter-religious marriages amongst Nigerians. I am an example. As I said, I am from Gombe state, my mother is from Kogi and my husband is from Benue. On the religious aspect, I am from a Muslim background, with only two of us being Christians in the family and we relate with each other very well. With these I do not see how I can fuel any crisis against the Muslim or against any Christian. I see a Tangale, an Idoma and a Yagba person as being part of me by virtue of my association. I hate seeing people live in segregated areas because of religious divide, like what we now have in Plateau.
What are your hobbies?
I love traveling.
Who is your role model?
As a Catholic, my role model is the Blessed Virgin Mother Mary. I look at her as a model of a perfect mother – compassionate and patient – how I wish I had a few of her qualities. Besides her, I have so many others that have touched my life positively, especially my ever loving and determined mother, Mrs Suzzie Yunusa Kaltungo.
