Editorial in the Leadership, Abuja, on Tuesday, August 21.
Early last week, a secret video recording showing a popular Hausa actress and her boyfriend having sex hit the northern part of this country like a typhoon. The 8-min. video clip was recorded in a Lagos hotel room by the duo, using the man’s cell phone camera. For most stakeholders in the Hausa movie industry, it was the wrong time for such a spectacle to appear. The industry had been repeatedly criticised in recent times for promoting immorality through the films and the activities of its largely young participants.
The recent scandal has embarrassed not only industry leaders but the society in general. But this could be the spur needed by anyone interested in correcting the ills of the industry to begin serious work. Though we are against an outright ban on the film trade, which employs thousands, we would recommend a suspension of the industry for twelve months during which the Kano State government and trade associations could find lasting solutions to the industry’s problems. Our teeming youths should be gainfully employed and our leisure time well served, but not at the expense of our good morals and cultural values. The ‘Hiyana affair,’ as the subsisting scandal is known, is a wake-up call on all parties concerned.
Wednesday, 22 August 2007
HIRA DA BOBO
* Gyaran waya ya ba abokin sa, shi
Kuma ya kwafi majigin daga ciki
* Bobo ya rantse sau 16 cikin guntuwar tattaunawa
* Ya na neman afuwar dukkan Musulmi
ALHAJI Usman Bobo, dan canjin nan da ya dauki majigin batsa tare da Maryam Usman Hiyana (ga hoton ta nan a sama), ya b'ace b'at tun daga lokacin da sirrin su ya tonu. A farkon faruwar lamarin, shugabannin ’yan fim na Kano sun kira shi sun nuna masa bacin ran su kan wannan abu. Majiyar mujallar Fim ta ce mutumin ya yi nadama a gare su, har ya na cewa wallahi shi ba kan sa ya ke ji ba, yarinyar ya ke ji. An ba mujallar lambobin wayar Usman, amma ya ki samuwa.
Kwatsam, a ranar Lahadi, 19 ga Agusta, sai ga labarin Bobo ya ~ullo a sashen Hausa na BBC, a shirin su na rana. Duk da yake akwai abubuwa da yawa da ba a tambayi mutumin ba, amma hirar ta kara haske kan wannan rikirkitaccen lamari. A hirar, Bobo ya bayyana cewa ya na zaman boyo ne a yanzu, kuma ya nuna tsantsar nadama, sa’annan ya yi kira ga jama’a da su yafe masa wannan ta~argaza da ya tafka. Ga yadda hirar ta kasance:
BBC: Ko me ya sa ka aikata wannan abin kunya?
BOBO: Wallahi tallahi ba na yi da gayya ba ne.
BBC: To kamar ya abin ya taso daga gare ka, kai?
BOBO: Wallahi abin nan sirri ne. Wani aboki na ne ya saci wayar nan... wani aboki na, wallahi tallahi, wayar nan na ba shi ya yi min gyaran ta. Ka na ji na ko? Kuma abin nan an yi shi sama da shekara daya, wajen shekara daya da wata tara kenan. Kuma wallahi tallahi na yi nadama. Kuma ina fatan don Allah don Annabi duniya ta yafe min abin da ya faru. Wallahi, domin duniya... saboda Allah da Annabi su yafe min. Abin nan ba wai na yi shi ba ne ko da gayya ko da wani abu, ka fahimta... ko da fariya. Wallahi sace wayar nan aka yi, wallahi tallahi, abin ya fita.
BBC: Kai ne dai ka yi abin a waya aka dauka. Me ya sa tun asali din, misali, ka dau abin a cikin waya ka yi shi, duk da ka san ba abu ne da ya dace ka dauka a waya ba, misali.
BOBO: Ai lokacin na ke gaya maka, tun a lokacin na riga na goge, wani ne ya sace abin.
BBC: To yanzu yaya ka ke ji game da wannan abu da ya taso haka?
BOBO: Bakin ciki, wallahi! Abin ya na damu na sosai, wallahi tallahi! Wallahi ba na iya shiga jama’a, ba na iya yin komai wallahi.
BBC: Yanzu ka na sane da cewa akwai wadanda ma su ke cewa lallai da kai da ita wannan yarinyar da ku ka yi wannan abu, kamata ya yi sai an hukunta ku saboda ba kan ku kawai ku ka yi wa ba, kun yi wa mutane, kun janyo wa al’umar Musulman arewacin Nijeriya da ma duk inda su ke wani abu na kaskanci.
BOBO: E, shi ne na ke rokon Musulman duniya. Ina nuna damuwa ta a kan laifin da na yi wa Musulunci da Musulmai. Shi ya sa na ke neman gafara ga Musulman duniya su yafe min saboda Allah da Annabi. Kuma ina fatan Allah Ubangiji ya yafe min, kuma ya shirye mu gaba daya.
BBC: Kamar zuwa yanzu ka san halin da ita yarinyar da ku ka dauki hoton ta ke ciki? Ka yi magana da ita zuwa yanzu?
BOBO: Wallahi tallahi ba mu yi magana ba, amma na san ta na cikin damuwa wallahi.
BBC: Daga lokacin da abin ya bazu zuwa yanzu, ka na ci gaba da harkokin sana’ar ka ko kuwa me ya ke faruwa?
BOBO: Wallahi tallahi ba ma wanda ya san inda na ke a halin yanzu, don na gudu, na bar ma garin gaba daya, wallahi.
BBC: Ka na nufin ba ma a cikin Legas din ka ke ba a yanzu?
BOBO: Wallahi ba a cikin Legas na ke ba.
Monday, 13 August 2007
Nude Video Causes A Stir
The following story was published on p. 3 of today's Leadership newspaper:
Nude Video Causes A Stir Among Hausa Filmmakers
- 17 actors expelled
An eight-minute video clip recorded with a GSM handset ostensibly for personal viewing has caused an outcry in many states in the country, pitching Hausa actors against viewers whose sensibilities were hurt by the indecent exposure.
Kano State Filmmakers Association rose from a meeting last night with a firm commitment to purify the trade by expelling members of the association judged to be immoral.
Last night, the association expelled 17 of the most popular actors, saying they contributed to tarnishing the image of the actors. More would be shown the door, a source told Leadership.
The decision followed the outcry caused by the sudden appearance of the video clip which showed a popular actress in a steamy scene with her boyfriend known popularly as Bobo. Both were stark naked.
This was the first time such exposure involving Hausa-Fulani persons was witnessed in the country.
The clip has been circulating since last week among viewers eager to see the rumoured flick, which many called the first Hausa "blue film."
Condemnation has come in torrents on radio, television and in mosques from Muslim clerics and others that considered the action of both the actress and her boyfriend morally unacceptable and a big shame.
Bobo, a bureau de change operator in Lagos, was said to have recorded the scene last year and had done all he could to stop its circulation after it had slipped out of his control accidentally.
The actress has since gone into hiding.
The development came at an ackward situation for the filmmakers, who had come under severe criticism in recent times for the indecent behaviours of some of its members.
The filmmakers' umbrella association, headed by Alhaji Sa'idu Gwanja, said it was forced by the circumstance to take action last night, saying those expelled from the film industry were thought to be involved in immoral acts such as drunkenness and fornication.
Film stars expelled included Mahe Ibrahim, Ummi Ibrahim (Zee-Zee), Safiya Musa, Ummi Nuhu, Kubura Dhacko, Hannatu Umar, Auwalu Isa West, Farida Jalal, Hauwa Rafindadi and Fati Slow.
Others were Muhibbat Abdulsalam, Zahiyya Ibrahim, Maijidda Abbas, Ismuha, Sadiya Yarari, Hajiya Zainab and Shamsiyya Habib (Kansakali).
A committee has been set up by the association to receive appeals from any of the sacked actors and monitor developments on the matter. It is headed by Alhaji Ibrahim Mandawari, with Dr Ahmad Sarari as secretary.
Other members of the committee are Habibu Sani, Balaraba Ramat Yakubu, Jamilu Dakan-Daka, Hajara Usman, Auwalu Malam Dare, Yakubu Muhammad and Misbahu M. Ahmad.
Leadership was also told by a leading director that henceforth any person wishing to join the Hausa film industry must first provide a guarantor who would testify to the person's good character.
He said the latest action was expected to bring down the tension generated by the sex video making the rounds in people's handsets at the moment.
Nude Video Causes A Stir Among Hausa Filmmakers
- 17 actors expelled
An eight-minute video clip recorded with a GSM handset ostensibly for personal viewing has caused an outcry in many states in the country, pitching Hausa actors against viewers whose sensibilities were hurt by the indecent exposure.
Kano State Filmmakers Association rose from a meeting last night with a firm commitment to purify the trade by expelling members of the association judged to be immoral.
Last night, the association expelled 17 of the most popular actors, saying they contributed to tarnishing the image of the actors. More would be shown the door, a source told Leadership.
The decision followed the outcry caused by the sudden appearance of the video clip which showed a popular actress in a steamy scene with her boyfriend known popularly as Bobo. Both were stark naked.
This was the first time such exposure involving Hausa-Fulani persons was witnessed in the country.
The clip has been circulating since last week among viewers eager to see the rumoured flick, which many called the first Hausa "blue film."
Condemnation has come in torrents on radio, television and in mosques from Muslim clerics and others that considered the action of both the actress and her boyfriend morally unacceptable and a big shame.
Bobo, a bureau de change operator in Lagos, was said to have recorded the scene last year and had done all he could to stop its circulation after it had slipped out of his control accidentally.
The actress has since gone into hiding.
The development came at an ackward situation for the filmmakers, who had come under severe criticism in recent times for the indecent behaviours of some of its members.
The filmmakers' umbrella association, headed by Alhaji Sa'idu Gwanja, said it was forced by the circumstance to take action last night, saying those expelled from the film industry were thought to be involved in immoral acts such as drunkenness and fornication.
Film stars expelled included Mahe Ibrahim, Ummi Ibrahim (Zee-Zee), Safiya Musa, Ummi Nuhu, Kubura Dhacko, Hannatu Umar, Auwalu Isa West, Farida Jalal, Hauwa Rafindadi and Fati Slow.
Others were Muhibbat Abdulsalam, Zahiyya Ibrahim, Maijidda Abbas, Ismuha, Sadiya Yarari, Hajiya Zainab and Shamsiyya Habib (Kansakali).
A committee has been set up by the association to receive appeals from any of the sacked actors and monitor developments on the matter. It is headed by Alhaji Ibrahim Mandawari, with Dr Ahmad Sarari as secretary.
Other members of the committee are Habibu Sani, Balaraba Ramat Yakubu, Jamilu Dakan-Daka, Hajara Usman, Auwalu Malam Dare, Yakubu Muhammad and Misbahu M. Ahmad.
Leadership was also told by a leading director that henceforth any person wishing to join the Hausa film industry must first provide a guarantor who would testify to the person's good character.
He said the latest action was expected to bring down the tension generated by the sex video making the rounds in people's handsets at the moment.
Sunday, 12 August 2007
Hiyana - Tsiraici a fagen shirin fim
Wata zazzafar muhawara ta barke a kasar Hausa tun daga makon jiya. Wani guntun hoton bidiyo na minti takwas mai nuna tsiraicin wasu matasa biyu ya bayyana a makon da ya wuce. Mutanen biyu dai mace da namiji ne, kuma macen ba wata ba ce illa wata 'yar fim mai suna Maryam Usman, jarumar shirin 'Hiyana'. Ana yi mata lakabi da 'Maryam Hiyana'.
Kasancewar ta 'yar fim ya sa mutane da dama su na cewa lallai yanzu ta tabbata cewa 'yan fim 'yan iska ne. Na kalli "video clip" din da ido na, kuma na kad'u matuka da na gan shi, musamman da yake dukkan su Musulmi ne. An nuno yarinyar tsirara a ciki. Wani saurayin ta wai shi Bobo, wanda ke sana'ar canjin kudi a Legas, ya dauke ta hotunan bidiyo din da kyamarar wayar sa ta selula har na tsawon sama da minti takwas. An nuno ta kwance a kan gado, haihuwar uwar ta, daga nan kuma shi ma ta dauke shi da kyamarar - shi ma zigidir, alkalamin sa a mike; daga nan kuma shu'umin ya hau kan yarinyar, ya yi lalata da ita a lokacin da yake ci gaba da daukar hotunan bidiyo din. Har sai da ya kawo (a gafarce ni!), kuma ya yi wasa da maniyyin sa a kan cinyar ta.
A cikin "clip" din, Bobo da yarinyar su na magana, kuma ana ji radau.
Yanzu mutane cewa su ke yi wai an yi "bulu fim." To amma a gani na, za a iya cewa an yi "fim" ba a yi "fim" ba. Abin da ya sa na ce haka shi ne, wadannan matasa biyu ba su dauki wannan iskanci da nufin shirya fim ba. Shi fim, ai ya na da matakai da dalilai na shirya shi, da ma'aikata da sauran su, kuma a karshe manufar sa a kai kasuwa a sayar. Har ma sai an yi tallar sa a kafafen watsa labarai kafin a kai shi kasuwa. Su kuwa wannan yarinya da wannan mutum sun yi wannan abu ne domin shi mutumin ya rika kallo bayan sun rabu.
A lura, sun dauki wannan abu ne a cikin 2006, amma sai yanzu ya fito duniya ta sani. Can a kwanan baya Yakubu Lere, mawallafin mujallar Gidauniya, ya buga labari mai nuna cewa wata yarinya ta yi "bulu fim," har abin ya harzuka 'yan fim, su ka dakatar da sayar da mujallar a shagunan sayar da finafinai a Kano.
Akwai bayani na daban kan yadda wannan bidiyon tsiraicin ya fita daga hannun su har ya shiga hannun jama'a, amma wannan wani labarin ne na daban.
Babu shakka abin da suka aikata abin Allah-wadai ne, musamman a daidai lokacin da mutuncin 'yan fim ya ke tangal-tangal din zubewa. Don haka babu dalilin kare su a nan. Sun yi ba daidai ba. Wannan shi ne bidiyo na farko mai nuna tsiraicin Hausawa da ya shiga hannun jama'a miliyoyi (kuma ba a san inda abin zai tsaya ba!).
Ba a yi "blue film" ba domin wannan ba fim ba ne, "clip" ne kawai aka yi domin "private viewing". Ita kan ta yarinyar, da farko ba ta san ja'irin daukar ta ya ke yi da kyamarar wayar sa ba har sai da ya gaya mata, kuma ta bayyana mamaki tare da cewa ya daina. Amma da yake ya ba ta ta dauke shi (kuma tsautsayi ba ya da rana!), sai ta kyale shi har ya yi lalata da ita ya na dauka.
A sakamakon wannan abu, mutuncin 'yan fim ya kara zubewa. A ranar Juma'a da ta wuce, malamai sun yi hudubobi a kan wannan al'amari, kuma sun yi tsinuwa. Haka kuma an ci gaba da yin Allah-wadai da al'amarin a wurare da dama. Kafafen yad'a labarai su na ta babatu a kai.
Yarinya dai ta gudu ta boye (an ce wani saurayin ta da ya ce shi ya ji ya gani zai aure ta, shi ne ya boye ta - wai ma za su yi aure kafin azumi).
Duk wani dan fim ya kad'u. Shugabannin 'yan fim hankalin su ya tashi matuka. A yau din nan sun ba da sanarwar dakatar da shahararrun 'yan wasa sama da goma (maza da mata) wadanda ake zargi da aikata munanan ayyuka iri-iri, ciki har da zina da shaye-shaye. Sun yi haka ne don ganin sun tsaftace harkar daga bata-gari da ke shigowa su na yin abin da su ka ga dama, kuma don gudun fushin Gwamnatin Jihar Kano, wadda ake ganin za ta iya daukar tsauraran matakai kan harkar fim din baki dayan ta.
Amma jama'a mu yi tunani: ba fa 'yan fim kadai ba ne 'yan iska. Mutumin da ya yi ummulhaba'isin wannan aika-aika, BA DAN FIM BA NE, kuma BAHAUSHE ne, magidanci, mai sana'a, miloniya, dan kasuwa. DON HAKA, al'umar Hausawa (Musulmi) baki dayan ta ce ta ke bukatar gyara. Kuma dukkan mu kowa ya dubi kan sa, ya gyara rayuwar sa, domin babu shakka a cikin masu yin kumfar baki kan wannan abu akwai masu aikata zububban da su ka fi wannan da ake babatu a kan sa.
Allah ya shirye mu baki daya, amin.
Kasancewar ta 'yar fim ya sa mutane da dama su na cewa lallai yanzu ta tabbata cewa 'yan fim 'yan iska ne. Na kalli "video clip" din da ido na, kuma na kad'u matuka da na gan shi, musamman da yake dukkan su Musulmi ne. An nuno yarinyar tsirara a ciki. Wani saurayin ta wai shi Bobo, wanda ke sana'ar canjin kudi a Legas, ya dauke ta hotunan bidiyo din da kyamarar wayar sa ta selula har na tsawon sama da minti takwas. An nuno ta kwance a kan gado, haihuwar uwar ta, daga nan kuma shi ma ta dauke shi da kyamarar - shi ma zigidir, alkalamin sa a mike; daga nan kuma shu'umin ya hau kan yarinyar, ya yi lalata da ita a lokacin da yake ci gaba da daukar hotunan bidiyo din. Har sai da ya kawo (a gafarce ni!), kuma ya yi wasa da maniyyin sa a kan cinyar ta.
A cikin "clip" din, Bobo da yarinyar su na magana, kuma ana ji radau.
Yanzu mutane cewa su ke yi wai an yi "bulu fim." To amma a gani na, za a iya cewa an yi "fim" ba a yi "fim" ba. Abin da ya sa na ce haka shi ne, wadannan matasa biyu ba su dauki wannan iskanci da nufin shirya fim ba. Shi fim, ai ya na da matakai da dalilai na shirya shi, da ma'aikata da sauran su, kuma a karshe manufar sa a kai kasuwa a sayar. Har ma sai an yi tallar sa a kafafen watsa labarai kafin a kai shi kasuwa. Su kuwa wannan yarinya da wannan mutum sun yi wannan abu ne domin shi mutumin ya rika kallo bayan sun rabu.
A lura, sun dauki wannan abu ne a cikin 2006, amma sai yanzu ya fito duniya ta sani. Can a kwanan baya Yakubu Lere, mawallafin mujallar Gidauniya, ya buga labari mai nuna cewa wata yarinya ta yi "bulu fim," har abin ya harzuka 'yan fim, su ka dakatar da sayar da mujallar a shagunan sayar da finafinai a Kano.
Akwai bayani na daban kan yadda wannan bidiyon tsiraicin ya fita daga hannun su har ya shiga hannun jama'a, amma wannan wani labarin ne na daban.
Babu shakka abin da suka aikata abin Allah-wadai ne, musamman a daidai lokacin da mutuncin 'yan fim ya ke tangal-tangal din zubewa. Don haka babu dalilin kare su a nan. Sun yi ba daidai ba. Wannan shi ne bidiyo na farko mai nuna tsiraicin Hausawa da ya shiga hannun jama'a miliyoyi (kuma ba a san inda abin zai tsaya ba!).
Ba a yi "blue film" ba domin wannan ba fim ba ne, "clip" ne kawai aka yi domin "private viewing". Ita kan ta yarinyar, da farko ba ta san ja'irin daukar ta ya ke yi da kyamarar wayar sa ba har sai da ya gaya mata, kuma ta bayyana mamaki tare da cewa ya daina. Amma da yake ya ba ta ta dauke shi (kuma tsautsayi ba ya da rana!), sai ta kyale shi har ya yi lalata da ita ya na dauka.
A sakamakon wannan abu, mutuncin 'yan fim ya kara zubewa. A ranar Juma'a da ta wuce, malamai sun yi hudubobi a kan wannan al'amari, kuma sun yi tsinuwa. Haka kuma an ci gaba da yin Allah-wadai da al'amarin a wurare da dama. Kafafen yad'a labarai su na ta babatu a kai.
Yarinya dai ta gudu ta boye (an ce wani saurayin ta da ya ce shi ya ji ya gani zai aure ta, shi ne ya boye ta - wai ma za su yi aure kafin azumi).
Duk wani dan fim ya kad'u. Shugabannin 'yan fim hankalin su ya tashi matuka. A yau din nan sun ba da sanarwar dakatar da shahararrun 'yan wasa sama da goma (maza da mata) wadanda ake zargi da aikata munanan ayyuka iri-iri, ciki har da zina da shaye-shaye. Sun yi haka ne don ganin sun tsaftace harkar daga bata-gari da ke shigowa su na yin abin da su ka ga dama, kuma don gudun fushin Gwamnatin Jihar Kano, wadda ake ganin za ta iya daukar tsauraran matakai kan harkar fim din baki dayan ta.
Amma jama'a mu yi tunani: ba fa 'yan fim kadai ba ne 'yan iska. Mutumin da ya yi ummulhaba'isin wannan aika-aika, BA DAN FIM BA NE, kuma BAHAUSHE ne, magidanci, mai sana'a, miloniya, dan kasuwa. DON HAKA, al'umar Hausawa (Musulmi) baki dayan ta ce ta ke bukatar gyara. Kuma dukkan mu kowa ya dubi kan sa, ya gyara rayuwar sa, domin babu shakka a cikin masu yin kumfar baki kan wannan abu akwai masu aikata zububban da su ka fi wannan da ake babatu a kan sa.
Allah ya shirye mu baki daya, amin.
The World Without Adamu Yusuf
By Ibrahim Sheme
As you read this, the crowd is still thick in Adamu Yusuf’s house. It is the 10th day of mourning over the sudden death of one of the most popular young men in northern Nigeria. Adamu, who is in this photograph with the tycoon Alhaji Ahmadu Chanchangi (one of his confidantes) worked for the BBC Hausa section for two decades in the 80s. He died on Thursday, 1st August, after an attack of asthma. Not since the death of Sheikh Abubakar Mahmud Gumi in 1992 has Kaduna witnessed such an outpouring of grief.
Men, women and children from all walks of life have been trooping to the house on Gwamna Road in order to offer their condolences. You could see on the faces of the high and mighty to the downtrodden talakawa the shadows of loss and grief. Many have shed tears, struggling to accept the finality of Adamu’s departure.
Alhaji Adamu had touched the lives of countless people one way or the other. Aside his reputation as a reporter for the BBC, he was known largely as a philanthropist, helper, adviser and comforter. He was not a big man in the mold of the typical big men in Nigeria, or so many people regarded him, and he was not a small man either. He belonged to two social classes – that of the haves and that of the have-nots, easily worming into either of them as if that was where he belonged perennially, depending on the occasion. He would dine with kings (Generals like Ibrahim Babangida, Aliyu Mohammed Gusau, Hamza Abdullahi; civilians like Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, Habu Fari, Laila Dogonyaro, Ahmadu Chanchangi) and the masses (like me).
Little surprise that his house was a beehive of activities, especially when he was in town. People would troop in irrespective of their social standing, upbringing, religious persuasion or tribe, on foot or in SUVs, in order to have an audience with him. Always accessible (you needn’t an usher or front office clerk to tell him about your arrival), he had an ear for each. If discussing with you required confidentiality, he would take you into the sitting room and give you enough time to pour out your heart.
Important people would go to him in search of advice or contact with other important people, and not-so-important people would visit him in order to ask for one favour or the other (e.g. employment, school admission, dowry, ram for the naming ceremony or food to eat). The oncoming Ramadan would further remind many people about his large-heartedness, for many relied on him for the millet they would use in preparing the gruel to break their fast with. And during Eid el Fitr they would miss his gifts of rams and clothing.
His simplicity and willingness to put a fine finger in every nice pie were astounding, as was his capacity to touch the lives of those that came into contact with him. In the years of our friendship, starting from 1993, I never saw Adamu turning away a visitor or refusing to offer a helping hand to anyone. His shoulder was ever-ready to carry the responsibilities thrust upon him by his Creator, the responsibility of caring for others.
Those who didn’t properly understand him used to wonder why he was doing what he was doing; some were even put off by his gregariousness. Recently he told me that someone had asked him to be hiding away from the riff-raff always coming to “disturb” him. The friend meant well, worried that favour-seekers were denying him a much-needed rest. Alhaji Adamu’s conclusion was that he couldn’t do that because God had given him the task of caring for people. “If I should keep away the way others have done, where would the people go?” he asked. Concurring, I drew his attention to the fact that there were many rich men who would want people to go to them, but they had not got the opportunity; they sat in their houses, lonely and lamenting their failure to open their doors to the needy. He laughed and remarked, “I like that.”
The deceased was a true patriot, always lamenting the backwardness of our people, blaming governments from the local to the federal levels for neglecting the citizenry. He chided those that failed to see the laudable programmes of the Babangida regime and the rich in our society who refused to help the poor in their communities. His view on politics was progressive, people-oriented and anti-capital. Not everyone knew his role in helping draft Obasanjo into the presidential race or the role he played – through intense media campaign and other subtle contacts – in frustrating the attempt by Obasanjo to secure a third term in office.
Adamu’s people-first approach to issues must have been responsible for the sustained attempt to drag him into the gubernatorial race in Kaduna State during the last election. When his posters flooded the town, printed and circulated by “unknown” well-wishers, he asked me, “Do you think these people pulling me into politics are sincere? I don’t want to be involved in the type of politics Nigerians play.”
I reckon that the amazement of those that would rather see him behaving “big and important” must have originated from their perception of what the average rich and influential Nigerian was: pompous, inaccessible, unhelpful and downright supercilious. A Nigerian of Adamu’s stature would rather “eat” alone, spurning anyone who comes for the crumbs. Adamu would not even throw crumbs at people but would always eat with them. We knew the kind of food he ate because his equally kind-hearted wife would always send it to him while he sat on the porch with visitors, and everyone would eat from the bowl with him. On every given evening, he would have cartons of fura supplied and would insist that you take your fill and even carry some away. Indeed, we are going to miss everything about him, including this side of his magnanimity.
He would travel long distances to attend wedding and or naming ceremonies, as well as commisserate with families and individuals over loss of dear ones, accidents or other forms of trouble. Caring for others, he would phone people to find out about their situation, especially those about whom he had a rumour or those that seemed to have ignored him for a long while. I happened to fall in the latter category, for I used to disappear from his view for months on end, only to reappear one day. Any time I saw Adamu phoning me after I had committed that offence against the tenets of zumunci, I would feel so guilty that I would hesitate before answering, while struggling to invent an excuse. He never took offence against his friends even if they were reported to have criticised him behind his back. No wonder he made up quickly with anyone that had broken up with him, to the extent that you would wonder whether he really knew the meaning of ego.
Adamu was a one-man Red Cross and Red Crescent combined, always in the service of the sick and the afflicted. He would sit up wondering what he could do to ameliorate the suffering of others. Years back when he realised the huge swarm of unemployed youths in Kaduna State, he established a vocational centre where youths would learn one trade or the other. And it worked. Originally a Nupe, he had grown up in Tudun Wada, Kaduna, one of the poor areas in the metropolis where violence had become a scourge perpetrated by idle youths determined to survive at all costs, so he knew the pangs and consequences of poverty and want. That’s why, when providence smiled on him, he refused to turn his back on poverty or the downtrodden.
The wealth that came through his hands passed in huge quantities to the people he met. He fed, clothed and sheltered the poor. He paid the fares for multitudes to perform the Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia every year. He bought vehicles – cars, motor cycles and bicycles – for countless others. Through him, many university and secondary school leavers found jobs, and the uneducated he gave money to start small businesses. He would preach continuously against indolence or dishonest acts. And for countless others who came into conflict with one another, he served as mediator, going to every extent to achieve peace and harmony.
He mediated untiringly between spouses, tribes, adherents of religions, business colleagues, etc. Last year he performed such a role for me when a business we started with some fellows foundered into rough straits. The mediation worked, against all odds. But the first time I ignored his advice – his fervent desire that I should not to go into business with another person – I sorely missed the chance of enjoying the fruits of his good counsel. Later, he told me, “You can’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Adamu, like many young men, lived many dreams. He was specifically interested in the promotion of journalism – his profession. He wanted journalists to become truly professional, eschewing the bad habits that invariably bring them to grief. On this, I recommend anyone to read the two-page interview he granted the Sunday New Nigerian’s Shittu Obassa, published in the paper’s issue of August 5, 2007. It was a collector’s item on the personality of Adamu Yusuf.
I don’t know why Nagarta Radio was set up in Kaduna by Gen. Aliyu Gusau beyond the rumoured ambition by the former National Security Adviser to run for president in the 2007 election, but I knew that Adamu played a pivotal role in its take-off. As a confidant of the owner, he was responsible for recruiting the very capable pioneer staff and shaping the editorial policy that contributed to the station’s instant success. Recently, I learnt, through him, that he was working hard to help Nagarta start a television station of the same name; always eager to help me forge ahead in my profession, and knowing about the collapse of a business venture I helped start, he wondered if I would like to work there. I told him no, the print media was my everlasting preference, for obvious reasons.
When Adamu left the BBC last year, the biggest dream he nursed up till his final days was setting up a radio station of his own. He asked me to suggest a name for it, saying he wasn’t comfortable with the names other people gave him. I took days to study the names of various FM radio stations across Africa and gave him a memo containing various names for him to pick. I learnt he had even acquired some of the equipment needed for the take-off of the station. Even though some would think he would not need it now, I believe that his people – the northerners – would. If so, Adamu would definitely need to see it established even in his absence.
From the foregoing, one could see why Alhaji Adamu was such a well-liked person and why his funeral was attended by thousands and thousands more trooped to his house. Indeed, the world of all that related with Adamu will never be the same again; it’s going to be a lot more unkind and harsh.
I will conclude with a call on the Kaduna State Government to implement programmes that would uplift the life of the young men and women in the state. That way the deceased’s beliefs – empowering the life of the youths – would not be in vain. And in order to help keep his memory alive, the government should rename Gwamna Road to Adamu Yusuf Road and upgrade his vocational centre to a model school for crafts, among other projects that could be initiated for the improvement of the life of young Nigerians, who will become the elders of tomorrow.
May Allah forgive Adamu Yusuf, reward him with paradise and give his family and friends the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss, amen.
Wednesday, 1 August 2007
Sheme Appointed LEADERSHIP Editor
http://www.leadersh ipnigeria. com/product_ info.php? products_ id=10032
Malam Ibrahim Sheme, editor of LEADERSHIP newspaper from November 2004 to January 2006 when it was still a weekly, resumes duty today as editor of the daily LEADERSHIP.
He takes over from Hajiya Aisha Yolah, who is getting ready to proceed to the United Kingdom on a British Chevening Scholarship.
Sheme himself was a Chevening scholar between 1993 and 1994, at the end of which he obtained a master’s degree in Journalism Studies from the University of Wales, Cardiff. An alumnus of the Bayero University, Kano, he received a B.A. in Mass Communication earlier: in 1989.
His journey through the media has been long but always fascinating. Once, he was the editor of the Kaduna-based Hotline. At the New Nigerian, Sheme rose from being features editor, arts editor and foreign news editor to deputy editor in 1997. Prior to his stopover at the New Nigerian, however, he had a stint with The Reporter and Nasiha, a vernacular newspaper on the stable of the Nationhouse Press, Kaduna, that also published The Reporter. Sheme was the deputy director of the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation between 1999 and 2001.
Author of a number of books, the new LEADERSHIP editor was the publisher/editor- in-chief of Fim, a monthly film magazine published in Hausa, and, lately, editor-in-chief of Public Agenda.
Sheme, 41, returned to LEADERSHIP last month to begin work as the chairman of the editorial board, a position he has now relinquished.
He is married and has children.
Malam Ibrahim Sheme, editor of LEADERSHIP newspaper from November 2004 to January 2006 when it was still a weekly, resumes duty today as editor of the daily LEADERSHIP.
He takes over from Hajiya Aisha Yolah, who is getting ready to proceed to the United Kingdom on a British Chevening Scholarship.
Sheme himself was a Chevening scholar between 1993 and 1994, at the end of which he obtained a master’s degree in Journalism Studies from the University of Wales, Cardiff. An alumnus of the Bayero University, Kano, he received a B.A. in Mass Communication earlier: in 1989.
His journey through the media has been long but always fascinating. Once, he was the editor of the Kaduna-based Hotline. At the New Nigerian, Sheme rose from being features editor, arts editor and foreign news editor to deputy editor in 1997. Prior to his stopover at the New Nigerian, however, he had a stint with The Reporter and Nasiha, a vernacular newspaper on the stable of the Nationhouse Press, Kaduna, that also published The Reporter. Sheme was the deputy director of the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation between 1999 and 2001.
Author of a number of books, the new LEADERSHIP editor was the publisher/editor- in-chief of Fim, a monthly film magazine published in Hausa, and, lately, editor-in-chief of Public Agenda.
Sheme, 41, returned to LEADERSHIP last month to begin work as the chairman of the editorial board, a position he has now relinquished.
He is married and has children.
Tuesday, 24 July 2007
Joe McIntyre (Malam Gambo) a Kano
A ranar 28 ga Yuni 2007 ne wani sanannen Baturen Ingila mazaunin Jamus mai suna Dakta Joe McIntyre ya ziyarci Kano. Da ma ya taba zama a birnin na Dabo, kuma manazarcin harshen Hausa ne. Yana jin Hausa kamar jakin Kano!
Kungiyar ANA ta Kano, tare da hadin gwiwar Cibiyar Nazarin Al'adun Hausawa (inda ni darakta ne) sun shirya wani taro a dakin karatu na Murtala Muhammed, inda aka yi jawabai. Dakta McIntyre, wanda sunan sa na Hausa Malam Gambo, ya yi jawabi kan Hausawa 'yan ci-rani a Hamburg, inda ya nuna taskun da Hausawa (da 'yan Afrika masu kiran kan su Hausawa) suke sha a kasar Jamus - duk wajen bidar kudi. Da Hausa radau ya yi jawabin. Duk da yake akwai karin harshe kadan, kai idan ba a fada maka ba, ba za ka rantse cewa ba Bahaushe ba ne yake magana. Ya burge kowa!
Na halarci taron. Ga hotunan wasu sassa nan na taron, masu nuna mahalarta (cikin su kuwa har da ni! Dubi hoto na biyu, ina sanye da koriyar hula). Farfesa Abdalla Uba Adamu ne ya aiko mani da hotunan, kuma shi ya dauke su. A hoton farko, inda Malam Gambo ke jawabi, ana iya ganin Farfesa Abdalla sanye da tabarau.
A hoto na uku, inda mata suke, akwai mata ta Binta a ciki.
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