Hadiza Aliyu Gabon is 32-years-old. She was born on 19th June 1989 in Libreville the Capital of Gabon. She obtained a Diploma in French from Ecol de Francaise Gabonese in Gabon a Higher Institution based in Gabon Republic.
After obtaining her diploma in French in 2006, she decided to come to Nigeria, Kaduna in particular. In 2007, her intention was to further her studies and become either a diplomat or an international model, but when she came to Kaduna in 2007 to stay with her sister that is married she developed an interest in acting, but at that time, she could not speak either Hausa or English.
Also, on enquiries, she was told of how corrupt the Hausa based Kannywood industry is, especially if she wants to make it in acting, she must be prepared to compromise her body. This means directors or producers will take advantage of her before giving her a role in their films, this has made her a bit skeptical about joining the industry from the beginning. If she was to continue with her education and later take up a job either in a foreign affairs ministry or in modelling, she would need money to achieve these desire.
Later, she decided to approach the King of Kannywood Ali Nuhu to assist her to join Kannywood so that she can raise money and set up an NGO where she can help the less privileged in the society considering the fact that she too came from a poor background.
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Hadiza Aliyu Gabon according to those who relate with her very closely, is very obedient, hardworking, deeply religious, very beautiful, and she can operate freely in any environment. Since her arrival in Nigeria in 2006, she has become successful that today she is the envy of other actresses in the industry. In fact, you will never hear Hadiza Gabon involve in crisis except for her open quarrel with Amina Amal 3 years ago that will tarnish her image, though there are speculations about her relationship with some successful actors in Kannywood yet, you cannot mention a single person that will say he has ever taken this beautiful actress to bed though some close to her have a different opinion.
However, recently she had a serious quarrel with Nafisa Abdullahi another beautiful Kannywood actress. In fact, the Kano chapter of the Motion Picture Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MOPPAN) had to intervene to settle the rift which nearly pulled down the industry. Some stakeholders of the industry wanted both of them expelled, but this will affect the industry because one of its prominent actress Rahama Sadau is already on expulsion.
Nobody can tell what actually led to the quarrel, some are saying Nafisa Abdullahi is jealous of Hadiza Gabon’s close working relationship with Adam Zango who is Nafisa Abdullahi’s longtime boyfriend, while others are saying they fought because of an issue that cannot be reported in the media. But whatever is the case, Gabon who was the first to win Kwankwasiyya best actress award, an award also from AMMA and other organizations, is today an ambassador with MTN and other multi-national companies.
Recently, she set up a multi-million naira boutique on Waff Road, Kaduna opposite Benue Plaza. She also bought a House in Kano and Kaduna, she has chains of cars and a very fat bank account according to those close to her. Her ultimate desire now is to settle down as a married woman and set up an NGO that she will use to assist widows, orphans, the less privileged, and to also be organizing forums that will educate women on how to be successful housewives.
Hadiza Aliyu Gabon spoke with Neptune Prime’s correspondent recently in Kano, Saleh Inuwa in which she spoke on many issues including using film to unite African countries. How she suffered before she made it in life, marriage, challenges as a single beautiful lady that is already successful in a foreign country, those she admired in life, in Kannywood, in politics, in modelling, in academia and in Islamic Jurisprudence.
EXCERPTS OF THE INTERVIEW
Neptune Prime: When you came to Nigeria in 2007 after completing your diploma from a Higher Institution in the Gabon Republic, how did you relate with Nigerians since, at that time, you don’t speak both English or Hausa?
Hadiza: First, when I came, to stay with my sister in Kaduna, already I had a diploma in French which you rightly mentioned, I did not come here to waste my precious life, as such, I contemplated continuing with my studies up to degree level but I discovered that only a few institutions here offered French Courses. I have this desire to set up an NGO and help the less privileged especially Gabonese Nationale that are staying in Nigeria that are poor. Basically, I want to be a diplomat and an ambassador of my country, but I had financial limitation I, therefore, decided to join Kannywood to raise money and establish myself as a businesswoman then get married and settle down permanently in Nigeria.
NP: As I speak to you, you speak both Hausa and English fluently, how did that happen, did you engage people to teach you how to speak English and Hausa?
Hadiza: Well, honestly I did not have it easy, but because I also want to act in Kannywood in which I must speak Hausa fluently because there are some words or terminologies in film script or interpretation that one can find it difficult to adopt if your Hausa is not good, so I went to Kano and stayed briefly with H.R.B the popular Kano base film producing company learning Hausa. I also appeared in films from time to time but I did not make any impact and so I left. Later Ali Nuhu assisted me and linked me with Yakubu Lere the Chief Executive Officer of Lerawa Films then in 2010, he featured me in his famous and popular film “WASILA”, before then, in 2008, Ishaq Sidi Ishaq gave me a role in a film called “ARTABU”, I featured alongside popular actors and actresses but I faced a lot of challenges even though I did my best not to be intimidated.
NP: Today, you are the face of MTN, you are also doing commercials for other companies, and you are equally one of the sought after actresses in Kannywood, you are also beautiful by all standard, did you zip down for you to be successful?
Hadiza: Well, today I can mention four to five films that made me not only a household name, but that has also fetched me a fortune. First is “BABBAN ZAURE” that film as far as I am concerned is still my best film some people were not happy when I was given the lead role in that film then, “BASAJA”, “GWASKA”, “YAR MAYE” and “MIJIN BIZA”, these films are very successful in the market that has also given me the financial resources to also invest in other films. I am very proud of my role in “YAR MAYE” and “BASAJA” where I was given the task to arrest an international fraudster a role played by Adamu A. Zango. The film took us to Niger and Ghana and other countries. As we speak, by the grace of God, I perform lesser Hajj (Ummrah) severally, I also performed Hajj, I have where I can call my own, I mean my own house, I have good cars to ride, I have a very big boutique on Waff Road, Kaduna. My prayer now is to get married and settle down and have children because, as a 32-year-old woman, I am not growing younger.
NP: Do you have enemies in Kannywood, because recently, you had a serious problem with Nafisa Abdullahi and it took officers of MOPPAN Kano Chapter to settle the two of you, what was the genesis of your fight?
Hadiza: Yes, we had a misunderstanding, with my sister Nafisa Abdullahi but we have settled our differences and we are now best of friends. As for enemies, Hadiza Aliyu Gabon is like holy water, I don’t have enemies, in fact, as a Muslim, I am not supposed to have enemies which is why I refuse to be in any relationship in Kannywood. Though you will be hearing stories, I have the desire to continue producing films even after I settled down as a married woman. Already I have businesses here and there, but most importantly, I want to thank Nigerians for accepting me to be one of them and today, some of them love my films more than even actresses that are from Nigeria. I also mind my business not to embarrass my country, because I am supposed to be an ambassador to my Country in Nigeria. Kannywood today is a very big industry that everybody can come and make his own impact, on the issue of sexual harassment, no lady can be sexually harassed if she is not interested in the first place, we are in a civilized society, nobody will harass you if you did not give the sign that you are ready to play ball.
NP: Who do you admire most in Kannywood?
Hadiza: If you are talking of those I admire their acting skills, honestly they are many. Initially, I prefer to always mention Aminu Sherrif Momoh, but over time, I discovered that we have a lot of talented actors and actresses in Kannywood. Let me mention some and those that will not be able to mention should know that I also like their acting skills, so to mention a few they include: Aminu Sherrif Momoh, Ali Nuhu, Adam A. Zango, Sadiq Ahmad, Nuhu Abdullahi, Sadiq Sani Sadiq, Ibrahim Mai Shunku and many others. On the side of female actresses, I admire Hadiza Aliyu Gabon laughter, that is my humble self, Rahama Hassan though she is married now, Mansura Isah who is also married, Halima Atete, Nafisa Abdullahi, Fati Washa, Jamila Nagudu, Hafsat Idris and many others that one will not have time to mention all of them.
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