My appointment can’t stop me featuring in movies –Rashidat Adamu

Hajiya Rashida Adamu is Special Adviser to Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, onWomen Affairs. Before her appointment she was a household name in the Kannywood film industry. She had paid her dues in terms of featuring in some hit films. In this interview with ALIYU ASKIRA, she speaks on her new appointment, politics in Kano and the film industry among other issues.

Congratulations on your appointment. How are you finding your new office, any challenge so far?

First, I must thank Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for finding me fit to serve in his government. This office I can tell you is very challenging as you are aware, anything that has to do with women is not easy. If you bring red, they will say they want blue, if you bring blue they will say oh, they prefer green.

So, my job here is not easy but I thank God we are doing our best to serve Kano women and improve their condition of living.

Some people are saying your new appointment will affect your businesses. How are you juggling your programmes?

For Kano state governor to call me among millions of women in Kano to come and occupy this position is more than a gold medal to me.

Apart from that, my present position is not affecting my businesses. My film production company is still running, my shops are still functional and I also find a time, especially during weekends, to do other businesses including featuring in films. So, honestly, for any one to say that I will lose financially is something else.

There is speculation that you may not have sufficient experience to cope with this appointment. What is your take on this?

Firstly, I campaigned hard for the Governor. There is virtually no political rally that took place in all the Local Government Areas that I did not attend. I spent my resources, energy and time campaigning for the governor. I thank God we won the election.

On my qualification, I attended nursery, primary and secondary schools. I have a diploma from the College of Legal Studies and in six months’ time I will graduate from the University of Sudan with a degree in Arabic.

I go to Sudan and I also study online. I have been to many countries like China, India, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, in fact, I am more than qualified to occupy this office, but of course, my detractors might not want to see me here.

As a supporter of Governor Ganduje and and ex-Governor Kwankwaso, does the feud between them and by extension their supporters bother you?

From Ganduje down to us, we are products of Kwankwasiyya and All Progressives Congress (APC). When Kwankwaso was governor, he was our leader and now Ganduje is the governor so, automatically he is the leader.

As far as I am concerned, there is no crises in Kano, APC or Ganduje’s cabinet. We came into office to finish what Kwankwaso started and also embark on new projects though the former administration left very little resources and the economy of the country too has not been at its best. Governor Ganduje is working hard to take Kano to the next level and after eight years, we hope he will then hand over to professor Hafiz Abubakar, just as we hope that after President Buhari’s second term, Senator Kwankwaso is free to contest for the presidential seat.

You are rich, beautiful and humble. Why are you still single?

Well honestly, I am praying hard so that God will bring somebody who is religious, committed and caring to marry me.

Like you said, I am successful in life, my father also left some resources for us. I have a farmhouse and I have been involved in rice farming for over 10 years now.

I am into acting and film production, so, honestly one can say I have to some extent achieved what one is supposed to achieve to be comfortable.
Next is to settle down and get my own children, but I have class. I am not cheap and I don’t take no for an answer. I also hate lazy people.

You were seen carrying a baby boy recently and we are not aware that you were pregnant or was delivered of a baby. Can you explain how

It is true. I adopted a boy that was abandoned on the street by a wicked and unknown mother. The boy was discovered by the adviser to the Governor on Welfare and Charity. When I was told, I decided to adopt the boy. On his naming ceremony, I got a donation of over five rams, but I am doing this for the sake of God. If you know Hadiza Aliyu Gabon, she also recently adopted a baby girl from the orphanage. It is exactly what I did. Such things are not new, but people see it as something very strange in the North. If I get married I want God to bless me with my own children, but I can assure you that they will leave peacefully with this one.

Is it true that when Ganduje appointed Ismail Na Abba Afakallah as Executive Director, Kano State Films and Censorship Board that you wrote a petition to the Governor challenging the appointment?

Honestly, I am hearing this for the first time. Afakallah is like a brother to me. We are from the same area and same local government. All of us are from Kannywood. I never complained about his appointment.

Some people say the way you dress so gorgeously in gold running to millions of naira all over your body is stopping men from asking your hand in marriage. What is your take on that?

Well, that is their problem. I worked hard to earn my money and I am enjoying it. If somebody is afraid to approach me because of that then he is not man enough to be my husband. I am simple, humble and plain.

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