Late Ado Bayero, Nigeria’s revered Muslim leader, was the longest-serving Emir of Kano, Northwest, Nigeria. The monarch ruled from 1963 until his demise on June 6, 2014 at the age of 83 years. The famous Emir was renowned as a successful businessman and one of the most strongest and powerful Emirs in Northern part of the country.
In this interview with Nigerian Tribune, Zainab Jummai Ado-Bayero, talented and young filmmaker who is a daughter to the late Ado Bayero speaks on her relationship with the revered monarch and why she decided to produce a documentary showcasing life and times of the late Emir.
How close were you to the late Ado Bayero?
My late dad and I had a warm loving relationship, he was kind and loving to me. He wasn’t the typical dad who would pick me up from school and stuff but I later understood why. He had so many commitments but he was a loving father.
What can you fondly remember about him?
I have fond memories of him making me watch discovery channels or history channels growing up. He didn’t really like me watching movies. So he was kind of strict. During Durbar, watching him ride on his horse was always exciting.
You have an interest in telling stories through movies, tell us about it?
Growing up, I was always watching movies. I also read a lot. These two hobbies and my love of history sparked the storytelling in me. Since I was interested in creating, I figured movies would be perfect for me.
If late Ado Bayero was here today, what would he say about the present state of the nation?
My dad was always someone who believed in unity, peace and harmony. He wanted the citizens to have comfortable stable lifestyles. So, I think he would have been really disappointed with the current economic crisis and the insecurities and would have encouraged the political leaders to work harder to create peace, safety and try to stabilise the economy.
What inspired the documentary about him?
I was inspired by my mom. I was thinking about different ideas for my first movie documentary, and she advised me to talk about my dad, that he would be a great person to talk about. After much thought, I decided it would be great to tell his story.
Do you intend to go into politics someday?
I don’t know if I would go into politics in the future, right now, I’m really focused on my movie making career. I’m just getting started so I don’t know yet. I’m spontaneous so it depends, you can’t predict the future.
Beyond the documentary on your late father, do you intend to do more history-related movies?
I would love to work on more documentaries both historical and contemporary.
If you had to advise the present government, what would it be?
I would encourage the new administration to create a more sustainable economy for the citizens, to deal with the threat of insecurity such as banditry, kidnapping, terrorism as well as diversifying into other sectors besides oil and gas.
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