Halima Abubakar is one of the known faces in Nollywood. The screen diva earned this recognition through her diligence, professionalism and consistency in the industry. In this interview with Adunola Fasuyi, she speaks about acting, issues within the industry and many more.

Excerpts:

What do you have to say about your ‘modelling scandal’ in 2001?

I modelled for a magazine in 2001. As a model, there is no limit to your professionalism, but due to our level of ‘civilisation’, it was celebrated then that I posed nude. I do not think I will model in such a manner again because I’m more mature now. It was an adolescent stage of my life and I wouldn’t wish to face any of such challenges again. The challenges I would love to face now is marriage and my career. Though, a lot of people are still doing it, but I wouldn’t, because acting is my first love. It really delayed my career for a long time and it happened when I was about to complete my studies at Bayero University, Kano. So, I left the industry in 2004 for four years to get education and then came back in 2007 when I was ready and mature to face challenges.

What effect did the scandal have on your career?

Producers and directors refused to call me for roles because of the scandal. But now, I’m a new Halima Abubakar, wearing a different garment, though some of them are still sceptical about giving me roles. Well, it wasn’t a nude picture of me, but it was celebrated as if I committed murder. It’s my past and I don’t wish to remember all I went through again. But I thank God for all His mercies.

What were your parent’s reaction?

It wasn’t an easy journey. I was so depressed because of the death of my boyfriend, so, I had no option than to go to my parents to make amends. Though they were furious, based on our religious belief, but they forgave me as parents. I’m very glad and honoured for this great opportunity given to me by those who are supporting me in my career. I wouldn’t disappoint them again. And for those who are consistently giving me jobs, God will continue to bless them because there is no amount of thanks that would gratify the amount of happiness they had given me.

What’s your relationship with Festus Ugochukwu?

I don’t know anybody by that name. Though, I have been in Enugu a couple of times for shooting and we have used a lot of people’s homes, even hotels, I can’t remember meeting anybody called Festus Ugochukwu. As for the Rav 4 Jeep, I bought it with my money and not the said Ugochukwu’s money. It’s not a new thing because a lot of girls buy bigger cars. I don’t know why mine should come from a man. It’s my fifth car. I’m surprised they are celebrating the Rav 4 Jeep, which I bought with my money. No man has ever bought a car for me, but please if there is any man who wants to buy me one, I would gladly accept it with prayers. When I started acting, I didn’t think of any other thing; it was just acting that was on my mind. So, I had to act, just because of the love I have for it and not because of any other thing. I started watching movies when I was very young. I grew up wanting to be like those people that I watched. In Kano, what we watched were mostly Indian movies. Thereafter, I started watching Third Eye on the Nigeria Television Authority. That was how I fell in love with acting.

Who introduced you to the movie industry?

I met Francis Duru in Kano . He came for the Night of a Thousand Laughs. That was many years ago. I went up to him and told him I wanted to be an actress. He gave me some addresses and told me to go there whenever I was in Lagos. When I eventually came to Lagos , I went for an audition. I didn’t get any job, so I had to go back to Kano . Much later, I came back and I was able to get a job. Later, I started playing lead roles. My first lead role was actually, Sisi, in Gangstar Paradise.

You must have featured in well over a hundred movies?.

I don’t think I can count the number of movies I have done. I don’t think they are up to 100 though. However, this year alone, I have acted in over 50 movies. It’s just God.

What challenges have you faced since you joined Nollywood?

I have faced a lot actually. Apart from the gender discrimination and working with some very difficult directors, there are some other little hiccups that one faces in the industry

Now that you are a star, are there things you no longer do?

I don’t see myself as a star. In any case, there is nothing I used to do before that I can no longer do. I have not allowed the so-called stardom to get to my head in any way. If I want to stop on the road and buy N10 groundnut, I will still do it.

You are one of the few northerners in the movie industry?.

Oh yes. Even when they wanted me to leave, I refused. I guess I have this die-hard spirit. I don’t believe in quitting. I try very hard to stay stable and be myself. That has kept me going in this industry since then.

What encouraged you to become an actress, knowing that most people from your religious background would not?

I started acting when I was in my teens. The awareness then was not that much. People didn’t really know much about movies up north then. It was after the millennium that people started taking note of the movie industry. In short, when I started, I didn’t have a problem until people started making a big issue out of nothing. Even things that should not elicit any reaction, but because of the way those things were blown out of proportion, people were forced to take note and that brought controversies and bad comments from people. Basically, I don’t think it is a problem. When you are given a job to do, I guess you are supposed to do it very well.

How come you don’t want to change your surname?

To what? To your own?

No, to your husband’s own?.

Oh! Do you have any husband for me? How old do you think I am? Is it because I have been in the industry for a long time? Anyway, if I see somebody I have a strong connection with, I will get married. I am not saying I am young; probably I am being childish about the whole thing and I am not taking this issue serious. But I tell you, when I meet somebody I know is good for me, nobody will tell me to get married. I would want to spend the rest of my life with that guy. Right now, guys in Nigeria are players. I don’t have strength for their problems.

If Nigerian guys are players, are you going to date a foreigner?

No! I don’t mean it that way. But come to think of it, I don’t discriminate.

So, you can marry a white man?

I can marry anybody that I choose to marry.

But we hear you dated some guys in the industry?

Who is that? I have not heard. So you have not dated any actor? No! I have not dated anyone in Nollywood.

Is it because they didn’t ask you out or because you chose not to?

I like being friends with people. I am a tomboy by nature, I don’t know if you have noticed. Probably that is why they don’t want to ask me out. They bounce and I bounce. Their hands are in their pockets, mine are in my pockets as well. So, they don’t know where to place me. I have beautiful friends, I have had wonderful relationships and I have learnt from them. But sexually, I don’t have anything to do with any Nollywood guy.

Then, who are you currently dating?

Nobody. For over two years now.

Is it by choice or by design?

Even few minutes ago, somebody was ‘toasting’ me. But it is not every one that asks you out that you say ‘yes’ to. I am taking my time.

Without a boyfriend or husband, how are you making ends meet?

Guys are very stingy. Do they give ladies money these days? I work and I get paid. I am comfortable. I like making my money, so when I am buying my shoes, no man will come and tell me they are expensive. I will continue working even when I get married.

So, you are not dependent on any guy?

I am not. If I were, I would have been driving a beautiful jeep.

Is it true a director once asked you to sleep with him before giving you a role?

Yes. That was many years ago. In fact, some people had to pay money to be auditioned. Thereafter, he was asking people to sleep with him.

Were you the only one he singled out?

No! He wanted to sleep with virtually all the girls that came for the audition. Anybody that compromises with her body in this industry will definitely crash. But right now, I have not worked with anybody who wants sex for roles. If they do it, I will talk. I am working with very beautiful people now and I am proud of them.

What was the most regrettable thing that happened to you?

All the controversies. I wished they never happened. I wished people didn’t get to hear all those negative things, which were lies anyway. Then again, some of the friends I had in the past, I wished I never had them. I shouldn’t have been seen with them in the first place.

Aside acting, what other talents do you display?

I have so many talents deposited in me. I sing, write poems and also play football

What would you have become if you have not been an actress?

I would have become one of the Super Falcons as a footballer.

What would you not be caught doing?

I can’t be caught smoking; I dislike it with a passion

How do you cope with pressure from your numerous admirers?

I smile when I am supposed to and I react when I’m provoked.

Why are you always at loggerheads with fellow actresses?

At loggerheads with fellow actresses? I am too polite for that. Though, I don’t suffer fools gladly, I’m a do-me-I-do-you kind of girl.

Who is your closest friend and why?

Tonto Dike is my closest friend because I haven’t seen anybody like her. We are two crazy old ladies. She inspires me, while I also inspire her. We talk to each other, especially when we are going in the wrong directions. I adore her because she accepts criticism. Friendship is all about listening and togetherness. In fact, she is a virtuous woman with a heart of gold. I have friends, but she is the best friend I ever had.

Are these ‘friends’ in your industry?

Oh, yes. Some of them are. They say one thing in my presence and they go out and say another thing. I don’t want to talk about all those stuff in the papers. I want to let bygones be bygones. Some of the scandals came from people that know me. A lot of those people are no longer my friends. I later got to know the part they played in the whole saga. I really don’t need such friends any longer. I don’t want anything to drag me down, I would rather drop that thing.

In every rumour, there is always a tiny bit of truth?

In this case, there was no truth at all.

But did it matter to you?

I felt bad. What do you expect? I didn’t work for two years. That should be enough for me to feel bad. I was really depressed. If I was abroad, I would have been behaving like Brtiney Spears or Paris Hilton. Thank God, Jeta Amata rescued me by giving me a role. And thank God there is sanity in Nigeria, we are very strong people. It is not easy for you to stay two years without a job, without doing what you have always loved doing.

Don’t you think it was those scandals that brought you into the limelight?

It was still those scandals that almost killed my career. That is not fun at all.

Did the scandal affect your love life then?

Oh, no! The guy I was dating at the time was extremely wonderful. Unfortunately, he died. I don’t want to dwell on how he died. Life moves on. I am still grateful that he was there for me in the first place. I know many guys wouldn’t have done what he did for me.

Do you dress this ‘hot’ back home in Kano?

No. I dress responsibly. In fact, am I not looking responsible now? Anyway, in Kano, you cannot dress like I am dressed now. I wear native dresses. When I go to Kano, I behave like the responsible child that I am. I have a suitcase filled with native dresses. When I go to Kano, I wear them.

Is it not hypocrisy?

It is not. I wear native dresses here as well. I don’t wear them daily. But I make sure I dress like that every Friday.

You are a Muslim?

Yes. I am a hip-hop Muslim. I actually finished reading the Koran, nobody should try me o. My religion is in my heart. I don’t have to carry it on my face; that is hypocrisy. My beliefs are there. I am indifferent. I make my hair and I wear good clothes. I want to look good in as much as I am serving God.

You are crazy about tattoos?

Yes. Aside from your chest region, where else do you have the tattoo? A couple of places. I am sure you don’t want to find out.

You no longer model?

I have resigned.

Because of the crisis?

No! I am old or don’t you think so? I just can’t continue going without food, just because I want to be skinny. I love my food. I guess the younger ones should take over from where I stopped. But if you think I am good enough for your product, then you sign me on. I am not ready to go on any diet again.