I was sitting in our office, which we shared as five colleagues, when Asiya, who worked with us, entered and greeted us. The documents in her hand showed she hadn’t just arrived.
We exchanged greetings before she said:
“Samraah, the Managing Director is calling you. He said you should come quickly because he’s expecting visitors.”
I nodded without speaking and stood up, adjusting my face mask properly over my nose.
With my usual calm and confident steps — the same composure many people often interpreted as pride — I walked out. Everyone I met, I greeted with “Good morning,” and some teased me playfully.
But I only smiled.
Unless you spend a long time with me, you would never think I was talkative. I rarely spoke unless necessary, which is why most people considered me quiet. They didn’t know that if pushed too far, I could be very firm and fearless.
I arrived at the MD’s office and knocked.
After almost a minute, he permitted me to enter.
I looked at him briefly and looked away. He was the type who stared at people intensely, as if trying to consume them with his eyes.
He said:
“Sit down.”
I sat upright and greeted him:
“Good morning, Sir.”
He replied briefly:
“How are you?”
Without waiting for my answer, he slid a beautiful magazine and an envelope that looked like an invitation card toward me.
The magazine cover showed the body of a man dressed in an elegant sky-blue suit. His face wasn’t visible, but his posture radiated power and confidence. He held a glass in his hand, and a single elegant ring shone on his finger.
Before I could finish studying the image, the MD cleared his throat impatiently.
He said:
“Take it and read.”
I picked it up but focused on listening to him instead.
He said:
“Samraah, I chose you because I believe you can do this.”
He continued:
“This is the latest edition of Our Star Today magazine. It focuses entirely on a young businessman whose name has become widely known across Africa and beyond. His name is AWWAB EL-MU’AZZ — but most people know him as MAASH.”
He paused, then continued:
“Maash is originally from Kano but lives in Lagos. He owns multiple companies across Nigeria, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Surprisingly, he never established any business in Northern Nigeria — until now.”
“People criticized him heavily for this, questioning his wealth, especially considering his young age. Although his father and grandfather were wealthy, even they never achieved his level of success.”
“Three months ago, he launched an airline company that began operations with ten aircraft. Many media organizations tried to interview him, but he refused every request. Only his Personal Assistant speaks on his behalf.”
He leaned forward.
“Now, after much speculation, this magazine revealed that he secretly built a massive automobile manufacturing company here in Kano.”
“It produces cars, motorcycles, and transport equipment.”
“It’s the first of its kind in Africa and the third in the world.”
“Maash himself is coming to Kano for the grand opening.”
He smiled.
“After seeing this, I worked hard to secure an invitation for our station.”
Then he looked directly at me.
“Samraah… I want you to make history.”
“We want you to be the first journalist to get Maash to speak publicly.”
My heart became heavy.
I said carefully:
“Sir… you said he has never agreed to speak to journalists. How do you expect me to succeed where experienced professionals have failed? I’m new here. I have no special position. Who am I to achieve that?”
He replied calmly:
“It’s not about position. It’s about opportunity.”
“Everyone has their moment.”
“I believe this could be yours.”
I took a deep breath.
“Alright, Sir. I will try. After all, airplanes only learned to fly through trials.”
He smiled and said:
“You won’t be alone.”
“Davido, Mansoor, and Khulsoom will be with you.”
“Your responsibility is to present the program and prepare the interview questions.”
“Study him. Research him. Prepare well.”
“This could elevate your career.”
I smiled.
“Insha Allah, Sir. I’ll prepare everything.”
He replied:
“May God grant success.”
I stood and left his office, holding the magazine.
I could still feel his eyes on me.
Inside my mind, I whispered:
“Only a madman stares like that.”
---
Reader’s Reflection (Translated)
Dear readers…
What do you think about the task given to Samraah?
Will she succeed in meeting the mysterious and powerful Maash?
And if she does…
How will she achieve what experienced journalists could not?
I was sitting in our office, which we shared as five colleagues, when Asiya, who worked with us, entered and greeted us. The documents in her hand showed she hadn’t just arrived.
We exchanged greetings before she said:
“Samraah, the Managing Director is calling you. He said you should come quickly because he’s expecting visitors.”
I nodded without speaking and stood up, adjusting my face mask properly over my nose.
With my usual calm and confident steps — the same composure many people often interpreted as pride — I walked out. Everyone I met, I greeted with “Good morning,” and some teased me playfully.
But I only smiled.
Unless you spend a long time with me, you would never think I was talkative. I rarely spoke unless necessary, which is why most people considered me quiet. They didn’t know that if pushed too far, I could be very firm and fearless.
I arrived at the MD’s office and knocked.
After almost a minute, he permitted me to enter.
I looked at him briefly and looked away. He was the type who stared at people intensely, as if trying to consume them with his eyes.
He said:
“Sit down.”
I sat upright and greeted him:
“Good morning, Sir.”
He replied briefly:
“How are you?”
Without waiting for my answer, he slid a beautiful magazine and an envelope that looked like an invitation card toward me.
The magazine cover showed the body of a man dressed in an elegant sky-blue suit. His face wasn’t visible, but his posture radiated power and confidence. He held a glass in his hand, and a single elegant ring shone on his finger.
Before I could finish studying the image, the MD cleared his throat impatiently.
He said:
“Take it and read.”
I picked it up but focused on listening to him instead.
He said:
“Samraah, I chose you because I believe you can do this.”
He continued:
“This is the latest edition of Our Star Today magazine. It focuses entirely on a young businessman whose name has become widely known across Africa and beyond. His name is AWWAB EL-MU’AZZ — but most people know him as MAASH.”
He paused, then continued:
“Maash is originally from Kano but lives in Lagos. He owns multiple companies across Nigeria, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Surprisingly, he never established any business in Northern Nigeria — until now.”
“People criticized him heavily for this, questioning his wealth, especially considering his young age. Although his father and grandfather were wealthy, even they never achieved his level of success.”
“Three months ago, he launched an airline company that began operations with ten aircraft. Many media organizations tried to interview him, but he refused every request. Only his Personal Assistant speaks on his behalf.”
He leaned forward.
“Now, after much speculation, this magazine revealed that he secretly built a massive automobile manufacturing company here in Kano.”
“It produces cars, motorcycles, and transport equipment.”
“It’s the first of its kind in Africa and the third in the world.”
“Maash himself is coming to Kano for the grand opening.”
He smiled.
“After seeing this, I worked hard to secure an invitation for our station.”
Then he looked directly at me.
“Samraah… I want you to make history.”
“We want you to be the first journalist to get Maash to speak publicly.”
My heart became heavy.
I said carefully:
“Sir… you said he has never agreed to speak to journalists. How do you expect me to succeed where experienced professionals have failed? I’m new here. I have no special position. Who am I to achieve that?”
He replied calmly:
“It’s not about position. It’s about opportunity.”
“Everyone has their moment.”
“I believe this could be yours.”
I took a deep breath.
“Alright, Sir. I will try. After all, airplanes only learned to fly through trials.”
He smiled and said:
“You won’t be alone.”
“Davido, Mansoor, and Khulsoom will be with you.”
“Your responsibility is to present the program and prepare the interview questions.”
“Study him. Research him. Prepare well.”
“This could elevate your career.”
I smiled.
“Insha Allah, Sir. I’ll prepare everything.”
He replied:
“May God grant success.”
I stood and left his office, holding the magazine.
I could still feel his eyes on me.
Inside my mind, I whispered:
“Only a madman stares like that.”
---
Reader’s Reflection (Translated)
Dear readers…
What do you think about the task given to Samraah?
Will she succeed in meeting the mysterious and powerful Maash?
And if she does…
How will she achieve what experienced journalists could not?
Who exactly is Maash?
Why does he hide himself?
What secrets is he protecting?
All these answers are inside the novel:
TSUTSAR NAMA
A story filled with:
Mystery
Love
Betrayal
Power
Deception
Suspense