The day I counted 3,000 farmers and forgot my own daughter's school fees

I was sitting in my office in Kano with the laptop open. Three thousand farmers on the platform. I was so happy. I called my husband to tell him. He said okay, good. Then he asked me if I remembered the school fees.

Wallahi, I forgot. The deadline was that morning. My daughter's name was on the list for defaulters. I was busy counting other people's yams and I forgot my own child. I felt shame. But I did not cry. I just called the school and begged. They gave me one week.

That night I sat with my journal and I wrote one line. If the business eats the family, the business has failed. I am telling you, no amount of farmers can replace that girl looking at me at the gate. Now I put her school fees on my phone reminder before any meeting. My people, what is the point of building an empire if your own house is leaking?