Suwaiba Abubakar aka Makauniya joined Kannywood in 2008 with a very strong desire to be a successful actress, however, things may not have worked a planned. In this interview she speaks on the movie industry, her failed marriage, and her readiness to try again if the right man comes along.
What’s your background and how did you join Kannywood?
Well, I am a divorcee. I was married but after one year the marriage crashed. We didn’t have any issue.
I am from Kastina state and my first film I featured in was Awarwasa but it was released after my second film Makauniya was out.
As you can see, I am not blind but people call me Suwaiba Makauniya. In the course of shooting the films I visited Abuja, Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa, and of course Kano the home of Kannywood.
Are there practices or areas you would want to change in Kannywood?
Well, I am not really in a position to influence anything here. Our leaders decide and run the industry the way they like.
However, 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 same sex relationships, there is nothing like that in the industry to my knowledge.
I thought you joined the industry to be a star then why did you reject the offer to make you 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 guarantors and fill a bond form before you join the industry. Then there is the issue of censoring films before releasing if into the market which has also brought sanity.
Did you have it easy joining the industry?
Yes. 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 will never involve myself in romance with producers, directors, or follower actors.
But like I told you I am a divorcee. I married in Dutsinma before but after one year the marriage packed up. The guy was 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 forth wife.
Do you have actors and the actresses that impress you in the industry?
Almost all of them impress me but when I joined the industry my favourite stars were Maryam Jankunne, and Hamisu Iyantama. Now, I admired Ladidi Fagge and Tahir Fagge, a lot.
I am still very much in the industry. My last film was Ranan Jumma’a and it was shot last month. Right now, I am into many films that are still in the making.
Film acting is the only job I know and all I have in life are from film proceeds.
Would you allow your children to join Kannywood and who is your godfather in Kannywood?
Whoever cares for me is my godfather. As for allowing my children join Kannywood, 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. I don’t have a house or car but I have landed properties that I acquired through acting. I thank God and my profession.
You are beautiful and you said your marriage crashed house about nine years ago. Are you saying you don’t have suitors or male admirers?
Honestly, 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 11th hour they will disappear. I am now scared of men, you know the Hausa saying that: If you were once betrayed you will be extra careful next time. That is what I am doing.
In terms of trying to settle down again and the disappointment don’t you think your first husband may be responsible?
Capital NO! Don’t blame him and I am sure he will not want me to come back. We loved each other so passionately but we had to separate. That is why the reason we separated remains a secret between two of us.
Do you like politics and would you marry a politicians?
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 Askira even without asking me you can guess my response. But that is not the issue now; my prayer is for him to be President of Nigeria.
What do you do when you are not on location?
l pray and sleep. You also asked of what I hate about the industry I hate to hear that an actress, actor, director, or producer, is involved in dirty scandal. It affects our corporate image like the Maryam Hiyana scandal, up till now I have refused to watch the so called adult film. It’s haram to watch fellow human being naked or to watch pornographic film.
…even with your husband?
If it is with my husband, why not? However, I will never act nude for any amount of money. It’s unIslamic. How will you feel if your children see it?
As a wife my husband is free to see me naked same with me. As for whether as divorcee, I may have temptation, I mean desire? Well, I am human and in good health but whenever such comes up I have the solution to it. It is fasting or reading holy books to put off my feelings.
