Kannywood actress Amina Meenat Yola hails from Adamawa state but was born and brought up in Ibadan, Oyo state. She relocated to Kano four years ago and joined the movie industry. In this interview with ALIYU ASKIRA she speaks on her career and how acting brought her fame and fortune.
What is your background and how did you join Kannywood?
Well, I was born and brought up in Ibadan, Oyo state. I speak Yoruba, Fulani, Hausa, and English fluently.
I had my primary and secondary school education in Oyo state.
Afterwards, my father who was in the military retired from service about four years ago and we relocated to my state of origin, Yola, Adamawa state.
How did I start acting? Actually, I have liked watching Nigerian films, Indian films, American films, and Hausa films, right from when I was very young. So, along the line, I developed interest to be an actress if the opportunity comes my way.
Here I am, today, an upcoming star in Kannywood. I did not stress myself too much before I was given a role in my first film Wani Lokaci directed by Ibrahim Bala.
So, how has the acting experience been?
Well, I am young in the industry and I still have a long way to go. There are those who have been in the industry right from the beginning and are not thinking of leaving, while some famous actresses got married along the line and left but later returned when their marriage collapsed.
So, I can’t tell how long I will be here but the truth is if I get somebody that loves me sincerely, I will settle down as a housewife and enjoy my marriage, especially being that I am a Muslim, I have a limit to how long I can stay single.
Were there actors and actresses you admired before you joined Kannywood? How do you relate with them now?
I found them to be friendly and accommodating. I can’t believe that the way I used to watch these television personalities is the same way people now watch me. Most importantly, today I see most of these powerful actors and actresses on daily basis when we are on location, we eat and relate very well together. This is something of joy for me.
One thing I like about acting is that once you get a script of a film that you will feature in, the producer or whoever will finance the film will pay you up front. You don’t have to stay like civil servants for 30 days or more before you get your pay.
Do you have moments of regret since you joined Kannywood?
Honestly, I don’t have any moment of regret. None! But if you ask about my happiest moment, it was the day I was called to feature in a film called Tuggu.
I was offered opportunity to play the lead role in the film even though I was relatively young in the industry and I did my best. I did not disappoint myself or the producer and the director.
Of course those who were older than me in the industry may have felt bitter, but I did not bother to notice. I felt it was my destiny, and after Tuggu I got offers in many other high budget films that are yet to be released.
Actresses and actors are often perceived as wayward and people that have no future. Are you not worried about this perception?
Today in Kannywood, we have several ladies that got married and stayed put. We have many actors that married even within the industry and their marriages are still intact.
The issue is that our life on stage is different from our real lives. People should come closer to us and know that we are not what they are thinking of us.
Today, the industry has grown so big that you see actors and actresses building chains of houses, riding expensive cars, opening businesses here and there.
Some have even set up Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to assist the less privilege like Hajia Mansura Isah, wife of Sani Danja; Hadiza Gabon; and Rahama Sadau.
So, I see no reason the society will still be thinking that we are useless people. They watch our films and enjoy it, they listen to our songs, they come to us for relationships and what have you. Yet they will go behind us and talk rubbish. Honestly I am not bothered.
What’s your ultimate ambition in Kannywood and will you allow your children join the industry?
My ultimate ambition is to be an A Grade actress like my other colleagues.
Talking about my children joining the industry, that will be the decision of their father. If he allows them to act after they may have completed their Islamic and western education, I will have no quarrel with that.
As for me, I can marry from Kannywood and when I settle down I can decide to be a producer or director.
It is my desire to go back to school and obtain a university degree because the world today is not for illiterate people. I have a very tall ambition in life.
