Barrister Asabe Madaki holds a Master’s degree holder in Law; she is a devout Christian from Jama’a local government area in Southern Kaduna. Asabe tells ALIYU ASKIRA in this interview why she decided to take to acting instead of practising as a full-time lawyer.
You are a Christian from Southern Kaduna and also a lawyer by profession; why did you choose acting?
I am happy with this question, but on the other hand, I am not happy because even from your questions, it is like you will not do justice to me. But as a barrister and a film actress, I am already into public limelight. So, I have nothing to hide and I will not dodge your questions. It is true I am from Jema’a local government area; it is also true that my diction is not fluent though I am improving. In fact, it almost affected my roles in films like Gwaska and Sarauniya in which I am the lead actress. But above all, I am not happy that at our level of development or as an experienced journalist you should waste your time asking me what I am doing in Kannywood as a Christian. Similarly, let me use this medium to say that since I am well accepted here, it means that we in Kannywood are out to promote tribal and religious harmony.
You went to Command Children School, Kaduna, Federal Government Girls College, Gusau, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, and later obtained a Master’s degree in Scotland. Are you from a very rich family?
All that you said are correct; I went to the best schools in my life and now a barrister with a Master’s degree in law. But as far as I am concerned, it is destiny, even if I am from a poor or a rich family, if I am not serious about my studies, I will end up as a failure. I have the intention to set up a film production company, a well-to-do chamber with competent lawyers that will in some cases even handle cases bothering on human rights free of charge. However, even from the way we mix up freely here, and the way we dress, one can hardly say who is a Christian and who is a Muslim. I believe in one North, one people and freedom of religion. As a barrister, I will not judge people based on their religion; that is why where ever I go, I play down the issue of religion. When I was selected to appear in some Hausa films even as a lead actress, the producers are people of complete Hausa background and we have ladies that can speak Hausa better than I do, but they choose me. Honestly, I am grateful for that.
Is it right to suspect you will soon relocate to the South and pursue a career in Nollywood?
Right now, there is no immediate plan for that because already Kabiru Musa Jammaje, the chairman of Jammaje Productions, has settled that issue. He has decided to be producing Hausa-related films in English and, so far, he has produced three – Light and Darkness, This is the Way and There is a Way. The intention is to show to the world the differences between the North and South in terms of culture and religion. I am sure you watch Nollywood films; look at the contents of their films and the three films produced by Jammaje Productions in English. In our own case, we don’t even touch each other not to talk of kissing or hugging. In Nollywoodd, what you see these days are more of adult films and if somebody is not conversant with the culture of northerners and southerners, he will think that what he watches in Nollywood covers the behaviours of all of us, Christians and Muslims alike. So, I am very happy to be part and parcel of Jammaje Productions because we will continue to produce quality films that will continue to educate people about our culture and tradition.
How old are you and when are you getting married?
As for my age, I am not looking for a job and I am not applying for recruitment into any of our armed forces. So, my age is not important and as for marriage, God created man and woman to be husband and wife; if you see a man and woman come in the next 10 years, you will discover that the family might have grown to more than 10. So, we are created to marry and multiply; even in a democracy, the majority carries the day. But for one reason or the other, the North will continue to be in power; as such, Asabe Madaki is ready to get married any time God destines that she will get married.
If you marry a man that puts you in Purdah, will you stay in the marriage?
Is that question meant for me? I asked you this question because you have already introduced it from the beginning of the interview that I am a Christian and as such, Purdah does not apply to me. But the truth is that God created Muslims and Christians as brothers and sisters to live together and intermarry if possible. As a barrister, it will be a disservice to my parents, my country, my state and humanity for me to say I should not work to develop the society. In the future, I will want to open a law chamber, a film production company, an NGO and other humanitarian services to help the less privileged.
