The first thing I learn in any language is “good morning” and the pleasantries that follow.
The second thing I learn is usually more practical.
The second thing I learnt in Hausa was “Kadan kadan”, which loosely translates to “little by little.”
I needed to learn this because of the reckless nature of bike riders during my NYSC days in Katsina. The only way to calm them down and arrive safe was to continually scream – “kadan kadan.”
– Osasu Oviawe
