Fati Baffa Fagge (a.k.a. Bararoji) is a 28-year-old Hausa actress who carved a niche for herself in Kannywood as a talented artiste. She started acting after completing her advanced diploma from Federal College of Education, Kano. She joined the film industry about 12 years ago and is one of the successful artistes to-date.
At a point Fati took a break in order to establish her own businesses like saloon business, boutique, buying and selling of soft ware’s like shoes and jewelries. She travels to India, Saudi Arebia and Dubai on such pursuits. She has since returned to the film industry as anactress and producer just as she continues running her businesses.
As a sign of her success, Fati says she has performed the pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia at least seven times, from sponsoring her mother, her father and other relations to travel to the holy land for the same purpose.
According to her, at the time she wanted to join Kannywood she sought the blessing of her parents and they told her to go ahead because it was better for her to be in the acting business than to be malingering about; after all, acting is a decent job like any other profession, they said.
During our interview in Kano recently, I asked her about her love life, and Fati said she has somebody she has been dating for close to nine years and is now thinking of settling down with him. But she added quickly, that if by chance her former lover Abdu Boda decides to renew their relationship she would marry him without having a second thought. She and the handsome Katsina-based singer, producer and actor are known to be dating for a very long time.
“I love Boda with a passion,” Fati sighed. “I can’t stop loving him. We still do talk over the phone. He is very close to my family and they approve of him. We were to get married; a date was even fixed but the wedding never took place.”
The actress, who got her stardom from such flicks as ‘Mashi’ and ‘Rawani’, added that up to now Boda hasn’t told her why he changed his mind from marrying her. According to her, when she confronted him over the issue he reluctantly said, “Yes, our marriage plan cannot go ahead.” He also told he had decided to marry another lady.
“During the wedding I was there and was fully involved. I have a feeling he will still marry me,” she said.
Fati Bararoji refuses to accept the industry insinuations that he had betrayed her. As far as she is concerned what happened was God’s wish.
“My time to get married has not come. Even in Saudi Arabia I prayed for it. My family are worried and they are praying for me. If Boda asks me to be his second wife I would marry him.”
“If after the interview Boda called me and said he would be visiting Kano and want me to prepare breakfast or lunch or dinner for him, oh God, I would do it. Even if I am out of Kano I would direct my family to do it for him.”
I asked Fati the secret of her looking fresh, relaxed and beautiful, and the answer was: “Well, it’s a long story, but thank God apart from acting I have other businesses.”
Has she ever been married before? No, she hasn’t. “I am single, I never married before but I am planning to do so very soon with somebody I have been dating for close to nine years. You see, every woman’s ambition is to marry, whether you are a Muslim or not. At 28, by Hausa tradition I was supposed to be married. Many people have shown interest in me and more are still coming.”
Tell us the real story about your failed marriage with Boda?
Abdu Boda contrary to what people are saying never betrayed me or deceived me, we were dating, agreed to get married, then he change his mind without telling me I confronted him and he said yes I will marry another woman, when the wedding came up I was there and wished them all the best.”
Would she agree to marry a fellow actor and also allow her future children to become actors?
“My children are free to act if they choose to do so. Acting is a decent job; it is better than roaming the streets. My colleagues in the industry like Hadiza Kabara and Rukayya Dawayya are married, leaving me and Sadiya Gyale behind. Very soon God will give us our own husbands.”
Finally, I asked her: “Is the person you are going to marry a married man or single?”
Fati said: “He is a business man and single. Why did you ask? Is it because I am 28 years old or because somebody disappointed me before, so I should be cheap?”
The interviewer is now the one fielding a question, so I replied: “I don’t mean that. I am sure he is overwhelmed by your beauty and natural looks.”
The actress laughed and simply said: “Natural or artificial, na you sabi!”
