But after two long years Maida and over 200 of his classmates were kidnapped by Boko Haram, another image is now foremost in his mind: that of the teenager at gunpoint, pleading for his freedom.
"Seeing my baby standing with terror [ist] ... with ammunition around his neck is not easy for a mother," said Esther. "But I also give thanks to God Almighty They say that most girls are dead, but mine is alive. '.
wearing a faded black abaya and scarf reasons, the 18 year old looks down as armed militant dressed in camouflage with a gun ordered him to speak.
unlike the screen saver on the phone of Esther, which shows Maida as a brilliant 16 years in its Sunday best, his life tending to her in the new movie he n 'are not happy smile, and the future is decidedly Maida uncertain.
Hesitantly, she explains that she is and where she is from, before issuing a scripted plea for freedom.
Behind her, the other hostages in floor-length gown look, stone face, as she urges parents to press the Nigerian government to release terrorists fighters in exchange for their release
plea for freedom
"When I saw this video, I am very sad because this is my baby there with someone one holding a gun, "said Yakubu." All of us we start to cry.
"I give glory to God she's alive. This video gives us hope that our daughter can be saved."
Maida, named after his aunt, grew as one of five children (two boys and three girls) born of the couple, a driver and local. workers' government
A working student, she was known as Dorcas in school (like many Nigerians, the family has two indigenous names and English), and was looking forward to graduating, photo on phone her mother was taken to a schedule to mark the occasion.
her family said she was keen to continue her studies and hopes to become a lecturer.
"I promised him that I will try my best to say that it is first and second degree, "said Esther." Unfortunately ... she did not graduate from high school. Not only that, she is found. "
A proud member of the choir in Chibok she loved to sing, even during cooking, Esther said, bursting into favorite song of her daughter.
"I used to hear singing [it] always," she said. "Whenever I want to remind him of my soul, I sing that song."
lasting trauma Family
Esther Yakubu is furious at what it sees as a lack of Action by successive Nigerian governments to secure the release of his daughter and the rest of the girls.
"The government has done nothing," she said. "When they attacked Chibok, girls who escaped managed to escape, dropping from the truck ... -. Some girls have even broken legs
the Nigerian government said it is still" in touch "with Boko Haram and" working for the release of the girls, "the federal Ministry of Information and Culture said on his page Facebook official.
Esther Yabuku said the ongoing trauma of abduction Maida had a lasting impact on his health:
in "My blood pressure rose and he does not come down." Chibok least 16 girls' parents died when their daughters were in captivity.
But the family said his unshakable Christian belief kept him going through the darkest moments.
They pray together every morning and midnight that their daughter will make it home safely. video, if troubling, gave them new hope that Maida will soon be released.
"I'm very, very happy," said Yakubu, after watching the video. "Because as long as she's alive, we will one day see"
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