Suwaiba Abubakar alias, Makauniya joined Kannywood industry in 2008 with a very strong desire to be a successful actress but, unfortunately it was the period that the Maryam Hiyana sex scandal hit the industry which made her lost hope in the industry. The kannywood actress who is 27-year old divorcee spoke to our Bureau Chief in Kano, ALIYU ASKIRA, about her experiences thus far in the industry.
Tell us a bit about yourself, your age, qualifications and some of the films you appeared in?
Well, I am a divorcee. I was married before and after one year the marriage crashed, no issue involved. I am from Kastina State. My first film was ‘Awarwasa’ but it was released after my second film ‘Makauniya’ was out. But as you can see I am not blind but people called me Suwaiba Makauniya. In the course of shooting films, I visited Abuja, Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa and of course Kano, the home of Kannywood.
If you are to advise what areas do you want to correct or amend about practices in Kannywood, how would you start?
Well, I am not in position to influence anything here. Our leaders decide and run the industry the way they like but the truth is there was a time when I was still fresh in the industry that one of the big guys in the industry approached me and told me to sleep with him in return he will make me a star, and I refused as for woman to woman, there is nothing like that to my knowledge. So I will like to uphold the practice of decency and modesty in the industry.
You said you are married before you joined the industry to be a star. Why did you reject the offer made to you on such a platter of romance?
Morally I am not corrupt. Well at my age of course it is natural that at times I feel like having a man around me but I have ways of overcoming it like fasting or reading Holy Books. The industry has changed now you have to bring shortees and fill a bond form before you join the industry. Then the issue of censoring films before releasing it into the market has also brought about sanity.
Did you have it easy joining the industry?
Yes, after all, we are here to educate and create awareness about what is happening in the society. I had and still have tremendous respect for those in the industry but I never involved myself in romance with producers, directors or fellow actors/actresses. But like I told you I am a divorcee, I married in Dutsinma before but after one year the marriage packed up. The guy is okay. I did not lack anything. But we parted and the reason is private to me. I am seven years old in the industry and I want to settle down again. Presently, I am staying with my sister in Kano I am ready to be even fourth wife.
Tell us the actors and actresses that impress you most in the industry?
Almost all of them but when I joined the industry my stars were Maryam Jankunne and Hamisu Iyantama. But now I admire Ladidi Fagge and Tahir Fagge. As for me, I am still very much in the industry. My last film is ‘Ranan Jumma’a’, it was shot last month. Right now I am also into many films that are still in the offing. Acting film is the only job I know and all I got in life are film proceeds.
Could you allow your children to join Kannywood and who is your godfather in Kannywood?
Whoever cares for me is my godfather. As for my children, why not? I will allow them, encourage them and pray for them. I have no fear of what is happening in the industry. It’s a decent profession. Though I don’t have a house or car, I have landed properties that I acquired through acting. I thank God and my profession.
You said you left your husband’s house about nine years ago, are you saying you don’t have suitors or admirers now?
Honesty, suitors have been coming but funny enough most of them are after my body. There are those that we reached the stage of fixing date for our wedding. I can remember two instances but at the eleventh hour they would disappear. I am now scared of men. You know Hausa people say ‘if you are once betrayed, you will be extra careful next time’. That is what I am doing.
With your resolve to settle down again and the disappointment you are getting, don’t you think your first husband may be responsible?
Capital no! I don’t blame him and I am sure he will not want me to come back. We love each other so passionately but we had to separate. The reason still remains secret to the two of us.
Let’s call a spade a spade. He is not satisfying you, right?
(Long laughter, paused) Well it’s personal to us. (Laughs again)
Do you like politics?
No, but because of Kwankwaso, yes. He has changed a lot of things in Kano. People now have confidence in politicians. As for whether if he proposes to me I will accept, haba, even without asking me you can guess my answer but that is not the issue now. My prayer is for him to be president of Nigeria in 2015 or in future.
What do you do when you are not on location?
I pray and sleep. You also asked of what I hate about the industry. I hate to hear that an actress or an actor, director or producer is involved in dirty scandal that will affect our corporate image like the Maryam Hiyana scandal. Up till now I refuse to watch the so-called adult film. It’s Haram to watch fellow human being naked or to watch blue film. Let me say this, I will never act nude films for any amount. It’s un-Islamic. How will you feel if your children see it? But as housewife, my husband is free to see me naked and same with me.
