I’ll combine acting with political appointment – Rasheeda Mai Sa’a

Weekend Magazine: How would you describe your journey so far in the Hausa movie industry? Rasheeda Mai Sa’a: To God be the glory, I can say the journey has been good. I have witnessed the good, the bad and the ugly sides of the business, and by God’s will, we have succeeded and are stronger […]

Weekend Magazine: How would you describe your journey so far in the Hausa movie industry?
Rasheeda Mai Sa’a: To God be the glory, I can say the journey has been good. I have witnessed the good, the bad and the ugly sides of the business, and by God’s will, we have succeeded and are stronger now. Through the decades, we have managed to rise from the level of obedient followers to the level of being part of the leadership of the industry. I thank God for all that.

WM: You recently received several awards within a few months. What is the secret?
Mai Sa’a: The secret is honesty, and dedication to what one does. I was first honoured by Ganduje Youth Organization then National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) also awarded me. I was also awarded by the British Council during the Zafaa Awards this year in Lagos State, among others. It is apparent that all these recognitions came as a result of the role I have been playing in the development of the movie industry and I thank God for all these successes.

WM: You were among the recently-appointed advisers to the Kano State governor. Are you leaving the Industry for politics?
Mai Sa’a: I’m not leaving the industry for politics. It is not hidden that I have been actively involved in politics and I am proud to state here that I have been very instrumental to the emergence of the present Kano State government. To be in politics doesn’t mean I have to quit the industry. My recent appointment as Special Adviser on Women Affairs to the governor came as a result of the confidence the present administration in the state has on my ability to contribute to women development.
My thirst for change was what made me join the change wagon. I never expected to be part of the government, which made the appointment a surprise to me. However, I am grateful to God that the Kano State Governor, Umar Ganduje, found me fit to occupy the seat and I hope to discharge my duties, as expected.
I will continue  with my movie activities, even more committed than before. The industry has given me the advantage of being noticed and also gave me the ability to contribute to the development of not only the polity in Kano but also to Nigeria as a whole. I will still be a practicing actress.

WM: How will you use your new appointment to uplift women in the industry?
Mai Sa’a: My position is not only meant for women in the industry but to all women in Kano State and I am going to use it in promoting the protection of women against all social vices that threatens their status in our communities. I will ensure that through the office, we will collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure that we have reduced vices to the minimum. However, I will also ensure that the content of our movies tackles such vices, educating the public on issues through films.

WM: You’ve been seen with a baby recently. What’s the story behind that?
Mai Sa’a: It is a baby abandoned barely a day after he was born. I was with the Kano State governor’s SA on Children’s Welfare when the news broke that a day-old baby was found abandoned. Up till this moment, I can’t precisely state what really came over me, but I felt  strong compassion towards this baby. Without seeing the baby, I told the SA that if it is possible I would like to adopt him.
From there, all legal documents were drawn, and I took the baby to the hospital. While in the hospital, it was discovered that due to the poor baby’s exposure to dirt, he had some infections and had to be admitted. We spent 18 days in the hospital and it was a miracle that the baby survived. We were at the hospital when his naming ceremony took place. I named him after my late father, and we call him Amir at home.
I’m so attached to the baby. He’s been with me for three months now, and people have been praying for me ever since. The goodwill messages I have been receiving from all over are numerous. I thank God for guiding me to the decision of adopting Amir.
I am not married, and I have never delivered a baby before, so I hired a nanny to take care of him when I am not at home. Also, I constantly seeks expert advice on how to take care of a baby. He is fast-growing. He is a part of our family and we all love him so dearly and I pray that he lives long and becomes somebody in life.

WM: What will your fans expect from you now that you have accepted a political appointment?
Mai Sa’a: My fans should expect nothing less than what they have been getting from me all these years. It is apparent that with more elevation come more responsibilities. I will make sure that I have not failed them. Furthermore, I want them to continue praying for guidance and protection for me.