‘Why I Finished Secondary School At Age 59’: Mama Habiba Samanja

Mama Habiba Samanja a middle age from Song local government area in Adamawa state completed her secondary school education at the age of 59. She graduated from the LCCN Cathedral Memorial College Comprehensive, Yola on August 9, 2023.
In the interview, she reveals why she had to go to secondary school at such advanced age.
What Motivated You To Go To School At Your Age?
She said, "What touched me about going to school at my age was that since I was a child, my dad refused me the privilege of going to school. He said he didn’t see the need for girls to go to school. So, since then I kept having the desire to go to school one day.
Another thing that motivated me was that each time I go to places that require I write my name, and sometimes even among a large crowd and an announcement is made such as “if you know you can not write your name on the attendance, raise your hand we will assist you,” I used to feel bad about it. Deep within me I never liked it."
Habiba when ask where she attend primary school, "I began my primary school at Saint Theresa in Yola town before I did my Common Entrance Examination together with the kids attending school there. After, I came to LCCN Cathedral and joined the adult education for women. So, after joining them, I went and joined their secondary school in JSS1 to SS3 and started attending classes."

Hambib said her greatest challenge in school is that she couldn’t afford to pay for her WAEC examination, and she only managed to pay for NECO. and is the sad one for her.
Habiba said, recounting how she feel When she Found herself In School Environment.
"I never felt intimidated attending classes because there was a children's section and there was an adult section in the secondary school. We only got mixed with the children when writing the National Examination Council (NECO) examination.
I felt so happy and fulfilled. And having finished school, I now feel that my mind is at rest. Whether the certificate is going to earn me a job or not, whether I’m going to use it for anything or not, all I feel is that I’m satisfied finally. I have finally attended the school I have been dreaming to attend, Thank God she said."
She said, When I Told People About my Intention Of Going To School, "People were asking me what I will do with school especially now that I’m old. But I usually tell them that I have made up my mind to go to school, and nothing will stop me."
Habiba said that Even before going to school, I have been advising youths to go to school, school is good. In life generally, if you get the chance, make sure you go to school before old age catches up with you. There’s no old age in school. Make sure you go to school.
Mama Habiba said that she is a cleaner at LCCN Cathedral, Yola. She is a widow her husband died 19 years ago. He died in 2004. He was a policeman. I had three children, but one died, the remaining two", she said.