I will never quit film-making – Dan Ibro

Recently you were appointed as a board member of the state censorship board by Kano State government. Can you tell us about that appointment? It is true we have worked hard to bring the present government of Kano State on board. Most of us in the Hausa movie industry were humiliated, abused and even jailed […]

Recently you were appointed as a board member of the state censorship board by Kano State government. Can you tell us about that appointment?

It is true we have worked hard to bring the present government of Kano State on board. Most of us in the Hausa movie industry were humiliated, abused and even jailed by the previous Kano State government. It reached an extent that some of us had to relocate to other places even though I did not relocate.

Therefore, in a democratic dispensation people are given a leverage to change things, so we rallied around the present government and gave it all the necessary support to become the come to power. People looked at the operators of film industry as nuisance in the society, therefore we find it necessary to correct that notion by venturing into politics to make those with such notions see our worth in the society. I have been given a place in the state censorship board as a board member for the mean time.

There was a sour relationship between the Hausa movie industry and the then censorship board. Now that you are in the system, how do you intend to strengthen the relationship between the two?

It is clear to everyone that presently the liberty abound in the Hausa movie industry is reasonable. The lost glory of the industry is on the verge of complete recovery, no more intimidations, no more threats of jail or unjustifiable fines and no more subjugation. These are the steps needed to regain the vigor in the industry.

We will not allow what we have gone through in the hands of the previous government to continue or repeat itself. Our presence in the government is to make sure we maintain a law abiding and fruitful movie industry, we are appealing to those who fled to come back to Kano and continue their lawful activities. Similarly, there are issues of establishing a film academy in the state and also an attempt to sensitize movie practitioners on how to access grants for the federal government of Nigeria.

But most practitioners in the industry are saying the terms and conditions attached to the said grants are very rigid is that true?

People should understand that nothing comes on a platter of gold, if really one wants to make effective utilization of the opportunity such conditions should be fully understood and strictly adhered to. So, as far as I am concerned those conditions are not rigid.

Considering your roles in your recent movies it seems you have changed your style. What is actually happening?

It is not as if I have changed style. The movie industry is dynamic, so are the artistes. Therefore, if there are changes in vogue in the industry, who am I to say I will hold on to the obsolete ways. However, I always see myself as a lucky man that the industry has been dealing with for all these years and I thank God for that.

One thing I know for sure is that I will either continue to wax stronger in the Hausa movie industry till I get old or die, or I will continue until someone rises up to take over from me. These are what I expect from the industry.

If I get you right, you mean you will never leave the industry?

Never, whatever I will become socially or politically I will never leave the Hausa movie industry till I die. And I want to appeal to the Executive Governor of Kano State, Governor Kwankwaso to device a means via which artistes can go outside Kano and Nigeria as professionals. Because the Hausa movie industry is growing by the day and has become an institution that must be reckoned with.

What experiences have you had in your career that you will not forget?

What I will never forget in my life is when I was arrested and taken to court without having committed any offence. I could remember I felt very sick that people thought I wouldn’t make it, but with God’s infinite favours, I recovered and it was during that period the then director Kano state censorship board Abubakar Rabo gave the order that I should be arrested and prosecuted. This injustice meted out on me by Rabo and his allies will forever be in my memory and I will not forgive the inhumanity done me by Rabo, not in this world.

This case was in court at a point, is it still in progress?

What case? Do they have a case? They don’t. It is only that they wanted to humiliate some innocent people trying to make a decent living, that is all. Let them understand that God is more powerful than they are, if they thought they can stop me from earning a lawful living then they are misled. I have acquired many things, houses, cars, investments and plots beyond their imagination. God has destined it that I will be rich and no one can stop me.

Is it true then that you are the richest artiste in the Hausa movie industry?

(Laugh) That is something I don’t really know, but I know myself.

You are being seen as the most successful artiste in the industry what is the secret?

To me, what I keep telling people is they should be obedient to Allah and to their parents. When one is able to imbibe that into his or her mind the sky will be his or her limit. They should hear no evil, fear no evil; they should bulldoze through whatever lawful things they wish to commit themselves to. That is the secret.

Tell us about your family?

I am happily married with fourteen children and four wives.