Dr. Fatima Firdaus Suleiman is the daughter of Surveyor Suleiman Hassan Zarma, the Minister of Environment. She is a medical doctor presently serving as House Officer at the Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Gombe. Here, she talks about her father, his character, and more. Excerpts:
Daily Trust: How would you describe your father?
Dr. Fatima Firdaus Suleiman: He is and always has been my role model. He is the most generous, most supportive and the simplest person every child will want as a father. If I have the opportunity of choosing a father again, I will still choose him.
DT: What was your relationship like with him while growing up?
Firdaus: Our relationship was close to perfect. He was always there whenever I needed him. He has always made himself available and guides us religiously. He did the same in terms of our academics.
DT: What fun childhood memories do you have about him?
Firdaus: I remember how he buys me bread when he returns from the office. He also liked to take me on tours ion his car in the evening. Sometimes he took us on vacations, but not anymore. Now he is more occupied. He also used to buy me a new bicycle whenever I took the first position in class. These are sweet memories.
DT: When did you realise that your father is a well-known Nigerian?
Firdaus: When he became chairman of the defunct Jara Local Government Area during the administration of late Governor Abubakar Habu Hashidu, and later the chairman of the then CPC in Gombe State. However, it became more pronounced when as Registrar of the Surveyors Council of Nigeria he was nominated as ambassador and a minister at the same time.
DT: Has his name opened doors for you?
Firdaus: I am just going into the world. Maybe in the nearest future.
DT: What misconceptions about him would you like to correct?
Firdaus: The fact that people think he does nothing for the people of Gombe State, where he comes from. That he does not create or offer job opportunities for people. But the fact is that he does, and the people who benefit know. He helps whether he knows you or not. However, because he does not fancy publicity, people think otherwise. Also, he is not extravagant and doesn’t spend unnecessarily. He knows how hard he works to earn his money so he spends it on necessary needs.
DT: What easily gets him upset and why?
Firdaus: They are lies and betrayal. He does not take these lightly because he is a humble and sincere person. He dislikes arrogance also.
DT: If he wasn’t a surveyor/politician, what other profession do you think he would have excelled at?
Firdaus: I think he would have excelled in any profession. He is intelligent and determined to achieve whatever goal he sets his mind on.
DT: What attributes of his have you imbibed?
Firdaus: His determination. He has always shown me the beauty of striving. I have also imbibed a little bit of his patience.
DT: How much influence did he have on your career path?
Firdaus: He has always been my compass. He illuminates the dark and enlightens the blur. Even though he did not influence me to study medicine, his unending support gave me the strength and zeal. It was my mother who wanted me to study medicine and Alhamdulillah I did it for them both.
DT: How did you feel when he was appointed as a minister?
Firdaus: To be honest I felt proud because it was a well-deserved appointment.
DT: When you are with him these days, what do you talk about?
Firdaus: We talk about everything and anything. How our day went, his office and politics. I always fill his ears with stories of patients and the hospital. We also talk about the family. He always creates time for us, my siblings and I, over breakfast or after office hours daily.
DT: What is his favourite food?
Firdaus: He eats anything healthy. However, his favourites are Salad, Faten Accha, Zogale and Tuwon Gero.
DT: How does he relax?
Firdaus: He plays squash after closing from work if it is not late and also during weekends.
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