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'My Children Are My Future, My Gold, Silver and Diamond'(AllAfrica Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) FATIMA Yisau runs with the wolves. She is one of the few women in the still male-dominated field of film production and marketing in this country. She is the Chief Executive Officer, Hamdalla Golden Concept Limited, a firm of Yoruba movies production and marketing. Twice, she has run for election as an executive officer of the umbrella of the Yoruba movie makers and marketers, Yoruba Video Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria (YOVIPAN). The two times, she made an impact. In 2008, she ran for the post of financial secretary and won it, but she was asked to step down for another person. In 2010, she contested for the same position, but she was defeated by two votes. But she sees her perseverance as courage, especially as is the only female among male contestants. She stresses that her guts is the result of her training as the only girl child of a late retired army officer. "I am the only female in a family of four children; I have two senior brothers and one junior. My father, therefore, instilled early in me not to notice the difference by always telling that what a man can do, a woman can do. "I have since realized the import of that saying; I knew that my father wanted me to be confident in my gender. He told me a lot of stories as did my mother. I learnt a lot about men through my family - my father and my brothers. As I grew older, they literally took me by the hands and lectured me about men and their behaviours. "Through my brothers, I knew I could do what I want to do, irrespective of my gender. I played football and table tennis. When they put on their kits, I joined them and when they wanted to play tennis, I would take my bat. They often protested that I should leave because I was a girl, but I stood my ground. I have always seen myself as a man because I have hardly lived the life of a woman." Yisau made an entry into movie production about 20 years ago when she joined marketers, Oyedele Brothers Nigeria Limited as Accounts/Sales Officer. "At some point, I thought that I could make money by the side, so I took up apprenticeship under the same company. Hamdalla Golden Concept was set up in 1997. And to God be the glory, it has been a profitable venture." Explaining that the firm is registered as movie marketer, she revealed that the name, Hamdalla, is the name of her first child. But she was quick to add that the company is dedicated to her three children - Hamdalla, Abdulmalik and Aliyah. "They are the ones I work for," she says. "They are my future, my gold, diamond and silver." And they are old enough to appreciate it, she says, adding that whenever she brings back a new film, the family sits down together to appraise it. "I take their advice and in the end, the result is good." Hamdalla is 17 and about to study Computer Science at the University of Lagos. Her mother explains that education is important, pointing out that one who lacks education is lost. "With education, you can build a career. By the time the children are grown, the film industry would be a huge in this country. They are expected to take it up to the standard obtainable in their time." She gives the credit to God Almighty for her achievements. "My father would call us together and he told us real life stories. He always ended by telling us to live with the fear of God. According to him, a life devoid of the fear of God is dead. "Our parents made us to understand that anybody who wants to succeed must think of what would be the consequences of his action and should walk closer to God Almighty. We are told that there is only one God and that we should worship Him and not join Him with anything. "Their injunction was to worship Him and that when we do, we will be elevated among our mates. We have taken that step, and we are happy and successful. "I was pampered as a child. If I did wrong and my brothers wanted to beat me, I would run to my mother who would tell them not to touch me because I am her second and partner. "My mother, Mrs. Rodiat Olanipekun is my friend. After my God, I will pick her. I have learnt a lot through her; she is one in a million. I do not see any other person except her." YOVIPAN is not a member of Nollywood, but she observes: "There is no Nollywood without Yoruba movies. We are not there because they did not carry us along. It is only a set of people that call themselves Nollywood. And they do not represent the movie industry of this country. "Recently, I read that they celebrated 20 years. The movie industry, however, is older than that. It has to be as old as 50 if not more, and it should include both English and Yoruba movies. As a child, I watched flicks like 'Cockcrow At Dawn' and 'Mirror In The Sun'. There were also movies like 'The Village Headmaster.' So, makers of these wonderful pictures should have been included in the celebration. Taking the industry from 20 years is like building a house without a foundation. The house therefore would crumble. "For me at Hamdalla Golden Concept, I think that Nollywood should be celebrated with the coming together of English, Yoruba and Igbo movie producers, who will now collaborate to give the public a good film to mark the occasion. There would have been a conference too. "Last year, we in YOVIPAN organized a seminar where our members were acquainted with current trends in the industry. There was also a gala/award night. We know where we are coming from and where we are going." Piracy remains a problem of the industry, she says, observing: "If we apprehend the boys who pirate to sell, what about those who download in their computers? But we are taking steps to counter it with technology so we do not lose so much." There are personal challenges, she observes. "One test is a producer who may take money and fail to deliver on time. Sometimes, she may decide to make the video herself." This can be stressful for a woman who is a wife, mother and businesswoman, she confesses. "When the three roles come together at once, you strive to do your best and not fail. It is up to me to try not to fail in any of the roles. "But I am lucky that I have supportive husband who encourages me when I feel discouraged. He gives good advice. I have an understanding man and I am grateful that he loves his family. He is not perfect though; and as the saying goes, a man will always be a man. And so will a woman. When he sees that he has upset me, he will walk away. He talks to me when he sees that I am calm again; that is when we talk and settle the issue. He may not apologize directly, but I know when he regrets his actions through his word". She apologizes when she is at fault. "I go on my knees and promise not to make the same mistake again." Her husband, Monsuru Yisau, is an insurance executive. She does not go to location when a movie is in the works, she says, noting that she has a trustworthy staff. "But if they have to stay away for up to two months, I will visit about three times to make sure that they lack nothing." She does not impose her choice of actors on producers. "We choose who gets a part together." On the disagreement between them and artistes, Fatima says: "We come together and discuss our differences. We always resolve them amicably." Epileptic electricity supply is another problem confronting the industry. "It affects both producers and consumers alike. Some people buy films and say that they would have to buy fuel for generator to be able to watch them. It is painful". Copyright The Guardian. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). |