Zainab is a young, talented filmmaker; she’s the last daughter of the late Alhaji Ado Bayero; the longest serving emir in Kano’s history as the revered Muslim leader ruled for 51 years. In this interview, Zainab tells OGUNTADE ISMAILA why she’s putting together a documentary on her late father even as laments the lack of support for the project from friends of the late monarch, especially from the northern part of the country.
What is your motivation to do a documentary for your late father, Ado Bayero?
Well, I was motivated by the fact that when I look back and remember the contributions of my late father when he was alive in this country, both home and abroad, I see that my father was a symbol of unity, peace, and progress for the nation. I always love history and movies. I thought that Nigeria is missing out a lot when it comes to talking about our history and our culture, especially in movies, music, and entertainment. You know, we’re a great country and we have so much talent. You know, we’ve done well in movies, fashion and music, but when it comes to putting our culture out there and our history, you don’t see a lot of that. So, I thought with this story, I would get to experience Nigeria’s culture and history through my lens into the life of such a great monarch, who represented Kano in the North and represented Nigeria in general during his 51-year reign.
Your father was the longest serving emir in Kano; what are your fond memories of him?
I have lots of them, but I remember when I was spending time with him, when I was a little girl, I would go to him and he would just pick me up and I would sit on his lap. He would just be watching TV; and you just might just be on his lap watching TV. I think we just played with our hands. So, those close moments within fondest memory he wasn’t the emir at those moments with me, he was just my dad.
What impact did your father have on the Kano Emirate?
I guess he was one of the most influential and powerful moments in Kano history. He was the 56th king in the line of kings starting with the eight dynasty like Mohammed Dabo down to the Fulani dynasty where he was a descendant of the Fulani. So, I guess he was great like other kings such as Mohammed Rumfa and Dabo. But if you talk about the 20th, 21st centuries, he was definitely one of the most powerful men, not just in Kano, but in Nigeria’s history. I would even say Africa, because he reigned at such a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s history. We’re talking about post-independence when Nigeria was just starting out, such as the darkest and most difficult points in Nigeria, and the country was ushering in a new era in our democracy; and he experienced all of that. You know, Kano, being the second largest city in Nigeria, he got to this metropolitan, cosmopolitan city, which was a melting pot of different tribes and cultures, and he always preached peace and acceptance of different tribes. So, I guess he left an incredible mark as one of the greatest, most educated and the most forward-thinking kings in Kano history. I guess he’d always be loved. I remember his remarkable contributions in different fields, whether for the growth of Islamic cause, politics, infrastructure, business and power.
Do you have any particular relationship that was more special with your father?
I can’t say. You know I was one of the youngest. When he had me, he was already middle aged; he was around 50s or 60s. So, you know, I was allowed to grow up and he was such an elderly man. I guess men at that age have this special love and attention for the little kids. I always felt his love and affection; that was his love for female children, little girls. I guess that would be a fun relationship.
You are known to be a young, talented filmmaker who tells stories with movies. So, please tell us more?
I began writing a couple of years ago. And it was just me having fun like a hobby because I read a lot. And so, I decided to write a couple of stories, but I would like to make use of them then. About a year ago, I decided that maybe, I should write and also tell the story like a movie because I also love movies. That’s when this moment came into my head, I should not start with movies and I said let me start with documentaries, because I know that documentaries these days are really educational and entertaining. When I decided to write the script about my dad’s life, it was really scary at first. But when I started the research, I found myself really fascinated with the whole thing. You know, writing, producing and bringing a story alive on screen was really amazing. And all my life, I’ve watched movies a lot, different movies, boring movies, like Nigerian movies. I watch all kinds of movies. I never imagined that one day I would be going to the movies. In a sense, it was a hobby and a passion that just became part of my life. And now, I think I’m great at it because it’s what I love. I love writing, I love story-telling, I love history. So, this was a way for me to bring all those actions into one project, which is my father, the emir’s project.
Your advice for women and youth in today’s Nigeria
Yeah, I know, the time situation is really downturn right now. But I think as women, we have such important roles to play in our society. I was raised by a very strong woman; so, I respect women so much. The woman has changed life in the home. She is the one that gets to teach you, your first thoughts, she influences.
I think a woman is the basic influencer, influencer of society and this is because whether you call your mothers your first teacher, it’s from her you get your ideas, your morals. So, as women, we should strive to be independent even if we’re married, even when we are single, we should try to be independent, to be strong, so that we can raise strong kids. And during these times, I think, women should try very hard and struggle to succeed, no matter the cost, because. Women, like I said, are the ones that will even give the husbands that strength, and they also need to be strong.
I think I would advise women to be strong and independent and fight for what they want and believe in themselves and not just depend on the man, because as women, we have so much to give. We don’t need a man to take care of us or to rely on a man for everything we want. Sometimes, the woman can be the breadwinner and also provide a hospital. I’m an independent woman and I believe that we’re equal; and both sexes can contribute equally to society as a feminist.
What feedback have you been receiving either from politicians or religious leaders across Nigeria in supporting your later father’s documentaries?
You know, on this journey of my movie-making, especially talking about the documentary, I did it independently. I have spent everything I have on producing and directing. I didn’t get any help from anyone from Kano state or any government from the North.
But now that I’m about to launch it, I think the state government and individuals like dignitaries who love my dad should be involved in this because this is about Nigerian history and culture. This is the culture that is often not brought to the mainstream. For the first time, I don’t know, I’ve never heard anything like this being a documentary about a king or great person.
So, I decided to do this as the first time I imagined that we’ll be getting support from so many people who love my dad, whether the politicians or the religious leaders or friends of his have really communicated to me for support. I became worried and wondered if they were not fond of him when he was alive. Or is it about me? I don’t really get it. I’m just trying to promote history in Nigeria by this great man’s story and culture of the North. I don’t know why I’m not getting their support from the north, because he was a northerner. It’s a northern story.
So, people like Ganduje (Umar Abdullahi), the former governor, he even appears in the documentary because he talks about my dad and talking about Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Military President, Alhaji Abdulsalami (Gen Abubakar), many other people who are close to him that did so much with him when my father was alive. These were the people close to my mother, but I don’t know why they are not giving me support to launch this documentary for my late father.
Who is Zainab Ado Bayero?
She is a lady who loves to read, she loves to shop, she loves adventures, she loves movies, and she loves them. She tries to be kind to people and she’s not perfect. She’s flawed like every other human being, but she’s a good girl. I’ve always tried to be on the right path. I’ve always tried to be a person in and out. Basically, that’s why I am just a simple, quiet introvert. She started her education in London when she was about five-year-old. She stayed all through with her mum in London in a school called African schools; and when she came back to Kano, she went to primary and middle schools. Her school is no longer in existence; it was called Samadi International School in Kano state.
I’m Ado Bayero’s daughter, and I’m telling this story. I’m mixed, half Edo and half Kano. And that’s what makes me the perfect person to bridge the North or the South because I know both cultures. I know the southern culture, I know the northern culture, and I can relate to both sides. And you know Nigeria is divided; you know, it’s about tribal issues, religious issues, and I do believe we should all be united. Whether you’re a Christian, a Muslim or traditionally religious, we should all relate with one another as one family in Nigeria.
