Kannywood Actress, Fati Muhammad Yola, grew through the ranks and has maintained a scandal-free career. An indigene of Yola, Adamawa state, she has mostly featured in movies produced by the 2-effect movie empire. In this interview with ALIYU ASKIRA, Fati discusses her career, achievements and eagerness to settle down.
You are very attractive but you are still single, is that you are waiting for a particular type of man?
Thanks for the compliment. I don’t know why am still single. If you read my recent interview, I said that I am ready anytime to settle down because I thank God I have virtually achieved most of what one will want to achieve in life. So, I am waiting for God’s time.
Is it true that most men that approach you don’t have marriage plans?
Yes, it is true. I said this because some men think that we easy to get. For me, the fact that I am eager to marry does not mean I am cheap. I have my taste and as a woman, once I accept that you are the one I love, I will endeavour to stay no matter what, because love supersedes everything.
Why is it that despite your acting skills you mostly get supporting roles not lead?
I don’t have problem with that. Once the pay is okay, I can play any role, leading or supporting. Do you know that sometimes supporting roles are more challenging?
Beyond that, let me assert that in terms of acting, I have proven my worth. If you notice now, I act most of the time for 2-effect empire, a company jointly owned by Sani Danja and Yakubu Mohammed.
I am a mature actress now, If I want I can be a producer and give myself any role I want, so I am not complaining.
You have maintained a scandal-free, though some people say you are somehow arrogant. So, what has the experience been?
Well, if you are waiting to hear that Fati Yola is in relationship with Mr A or X in Kannywood, then it will not happen. Take my closeness to Sani Danja and Yakubu for example, I feel free with them but honestly, they are like my brothers. In fact, I am very close to their wives.
Secondly, I always mind my business. I am not here for love, I am here to build a career and I have succeeded in doing that. All I am looking forward to is to settle down like some of my close friends: Mansura Isa, Fati K.K., Sadiya Gyale, Hadiza Kabara and Fauziya Maikyau.
Will you say you have reached the peck of your career?
Well, I am financially comfortable, I can wear what I want to wear, eat what I want, sleep in luxury and drive a car of my choice.
My only remaining target is to settle down and have children. I am a mature lady, endowed with all that a woman desires to have to be attractive. So, I want to get married, aure nake so.
How do you respond to claim by some people in the industry that you are arrogant and don’t you think that it may be discouraging suitors?
If you are not my class or if you are coming for a trial, then forget it. I am not arrogant but I am always ready to face trouble if it comes my way.
I don’t take insult, respect me and I will respect you. In my place we respect seniors that respect themselves, period. Female actresses are not cheap or wayward; most of what people see us doing in films are not real. We are only educating the society. That is the essence of acting, to interpret imagination.
Well, these days some films go beyond the ordinary but it’s because producers produce films that will please the audience.
So, there is need for caution so that we will not go the way of others.
But are you in a relationship?
What do you want to know? I have admirers all over the place but, like I said, I want a relationship that will blossom into marriage.
Some men come to you because of what they hear or because of your beautiful body. Honestly, I have passed that stage.
I want to settle down and if possible stay in Kaduna, Abuja or Kano. Well, God knows best, anywhere my husband comes from I will follow him if he is not taking me to Sambisa Forest. You see, no matter how rich a woman is, she needs a man as a pillar. God created us to marry and multiply.
What would you say is your lowest moment in the industry?
You would not believe if I said none. Life generally is full of ups and downs especially if one is a lady and pretty for that matter, but with prayers and caution I am yet to fall into any trouble.
Let me give you an example, if you approach me and say ‘Fati, I want to be your friend’ and I say thank you, then you push further but did not see my red light, won’t you mind your business and get the message?
If you insist and I openly reject you, is that stubbornness? I have many things that I cannot mention, but basically God has been kind to me.
Don’t your jewellery and dressing generally intimidate would-be-suitors?
If that is the way whoever wants to approach me will think, then honestly, I am not available. Look, let me give you an idea of the type of guy I want. If you see me, pretend that all I am wearing is just fashion that women normally wear. Go ahead and toast me, but be confident, be transparent, don’t lie, don’t deceive me.
Above all, make sure you look good too, tall and handsome. I don’t like potbellied men. I want strong and friendly men who are presentable. If you know you are not that type, why waste your time?
If God created kings and queens, presidents and messengers, why can’t I make my choices? So, don’t come if you are not my type.
So, where are you based now?
I shuttle between Abuja, Kaduna and Kano but I am bases in Kano. Although most of my time I spend travelling because I am into buying and selling. I intent to open up a big boutique so that when I marry I can reduce my frequent travels.
My next trip is actually to China and India. I have been to Saudi Arabia severally for Hajj. I visited Dubai, Malaysia, Lagos, Senegal and Niger.
I like travelling but if I settle down I believe my man can handle some of these for me.
Who are your role models?
If you mean in Kannywood, Sani, Danja, Yakubu Mohammed, Ali Nuhu, Adamu Zango, Wanke-Wanke they are many. As for the ladies; Nafisa Abdullahi, Jamila Nagudu, Zainab Indomie, Halima Atete Rahama, Sadau Rahama, Hassan Hadiza Gabon the list is endless, the industry is growing and we have good actors and actresses.
Finally, what do you have to tell your admirers?
Let them pray for us, let them drop the notion that female actresses don’t stay in marriages. This is a bad notion, in all sectors of life marriages do break up, it’s not only in Kannywood.
