From Doom to Doorways, Ify Husna’s Journey to Destiny
By Musa Abubakar (Solarin)
When Diane Mariechild, the author of “Mother Wit and Inner Dance” stated that, “A woman is a full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform,” I thought she had you in mind. For many people, the mindset has been that a beautiful woman often owes her success to her beauty, rather than intelligence, courage and hard work. You have dismantled this obnoxious psyche of the masculine world.
Husna (Ify) Ibrahim Abdullahi Jami-maji, epitomizes the statement that a beautiful woman delights, a wise woman, understanding; a pure one, the soul. You combined this and Diane’s definition of a full circle woman. After being relieved of her duty as News Editor in Yobe Television (YTv) in 2010, not for ethical misconduct or professional breach but political interpretation of a news item. It seemed doomsday had struck, but she was undeterred, she founded the Women and Youths Empowerment Initiative (WOYEIN), a Non Governmental Organization and nurtured it; helping vulnerable women and youths with empowerment, hygiene and reproductive health education as well as mentoring young people.
Again, destiny smiled at her, when she was appointed Acting Director of Information in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Information and Culture. As the nucleus of the ministry, she was a strong team player, demonstrated capacity in information management and inspiring Information Officers on enhancing the visibility of the government performance in their respective sectors but, there too, her destiny took a rather sad twist and was short-lived.
Husna was torn and terrified by the turn of events. But unknown to her, the path she so desired was not her calling, and in the middle of the disappointment and confusion – boom, His Excellency Mai Mala Buni appointed her as the Executive Director of the Yobe State Council for Arts and Culture. It was then that I understood how addictive journalism could be; here’s an opportunity that takes one to an executive position, and I thought she’d literally be on cloud nine. But Husna was reluctant and unsure about leaving this crazy passion running in her veins – journalism, “Run, girl!” I urged her.
Working as the Executive Director, Yobe State Council for Arts and Culture demands extraordinary commitment, sagacity in traversing complex political landscapes, and mobilizing resources to revive an organization on life support. What’s more challenging is that Husna, an Igbo woman born and bred in Potiskum, must learn to understand the cultural nuances and affinities of a multi-ethnic state to succeed.
However, what seems like a limitation became her strength. As Professor Ali Mazrui puts it, “The Igbo are geographically mobile, intellectually ambitious, and economically enterprising.” These cultural traits, combined with diverse environment and multicultural background in addition to her roles as wife, mother, and a friend to people of different cultures, gave her a grounded edge for a good start.
On assumption of office, Husna swung into action by providing visionary and innovative direction to the Yobe State Council for Arts and Culture, blending revitalization of traditional art and culture with contemporary performances to stay relevant in the arts and culture landscape. This approach increased visibility both at international and national events, such as participating in NAFEST, INAC, and Abuja Carnival, where the Council won numerous awards and trophies for the state. Additionally, the Council promoted and entertained guests at most state programs and events.
Under Husna’s leadership, notable achievements include improved promotion of the historic Dufuna Canoe, which is over five thousand years old, attracting tourists and researchers to the state. With the support and funding from His Excellency, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, she successfully rehabilitated the Cultural Hall, the largest events hall in the state, enhancing its appearance and increasing revenue for the Council.
Other initiatives include forming strategic collaborations, creating synergies, and partnerships with public and private sector players in the industry which resulted in the first ever Yobe Cultural Summit; she embarked on a high-level awareness campaign to engage with the roots of culture and its custodians – the traditional institutions where the Mais hold sway – in order to deepen ties with the Council. Simultaneously, she mobilized youths into the cultural fold, encouraging them to tap into the opportunities that cultural engagement presents;
establishing a unit for advertising and public relations; promoting about thirty-six staff whose promotions were delayed for eight years; identifying talented and committed staff for merit awards; increasing overall staff incentives to boost morale; and exploring digital opportunities and innovation in the arts and culture milieu.
Husna is not just a promising manager of Yobe’s cultural heritage; she is the embodiment of cultures, where East and North meet: an Igbo woman, married to a Hausa man, had five children with him, grew up in the North, a graduate of University of Maiduguri, and dresses more like a Kanuri woman, speaks Hausa like a true “jakar kano,” and dances to the hypnotic, mesmerizing rhythms of the Ganga-kura. She has found the formula for cultural blending and peaceful coexistence in a heterogeneous society; she is a true Nigerian. Unarguably, one of H.E Buni’s impactful and finest female appointees, an outstanding ambassadress of Yobe State’s Arts and Culture, and who embodies the spirit of Nigerian unity and warmth.
Musa Abubakar is a journalist based in Damaturu, Yobe state.
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