Fatima Mai Zogale was unknown some weeks ago, except for those close to her, and perhaps her zogale costumers in Abuja.
But in a typical example of rising from grass to grace, God changed her fortune, such that if you google the name Fatima, it will suggest mai zogale for you. She is also trending on social media.
On Wednesday penultimate week, famous political singer Dauda Kahutu Rarara released a song titled ‘Fatima Mai Zogale’.
He released the song at the time Adam A. Zango’s accusations against him were still being discussed.
Before the song, he had released a song titled ‘Maryam’ about eight weeks ago. And before that, he also sang a song ‘Aisha’, which was featured in the movie ‘A cikin biyu’ by Aishatu Humaira.
It was alleged that he was in love with Aisha Humaira, which was why he sang the song, an allegation both he and Aisha have severally denied.
Releasing three romantic singles within a short period made people to insinuate that he was trying to adjust because he’s no longer relevant in the entertainment industry.
Fatima’s rise from grass to grace
After Rarara released the song, arguments and criticism trailed the song’s composition and lyrics. Some argued that romantic songs are not Rarara’s forte, saying he used some words wrongly in his effort to bring out the rhyme.
Among those who criticized the song were a journalist and writer, Malam Yakubu Musa and a young journalist, Aliyu Dahiru Aliyu.
However, Professor Ibrahim Malumfashi reacted to their critique on his Facebook page thus: “To Aliyu Dahiru Aliyu and Yakubu Musa regarding the song of Fatima Mai Zogale by Rarara, I would like you to listen to the song again; it seems like what you heard and wrote about is not what I heard, and it is not as if I am protecting! Let’s discuss if you have time!”
In the midst of this, Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Print Media, Malam Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, wrote on his Facebook page, “The boss of Fatima mai zogale has fired her over Rarara’s song.”
This post by Abdulaziz received almost 1,100 comments, and was shared 247 times.
Daily Trust had reported that Fatima’s employer Aisha had, in a viral video, denied firing Fatima, insisting that Fatima resigned voluntarily.
She said, “I have never fired any of my female staff. She was brought to me last month by a lady, that they were fired from their former place of work.
“Five days ago, they told me that Rarara came and bought zogale; he enjoyed it and said he will come back. Yesterday, I was in my shop at Gimbiya Street when she came and told me that she was leaving the following day, demanding payment.
“I told her it’s late evening and I don’t have enough money to give her, that business has not been doing well since the month of Ramadan.
“She insisted that she was leaving and that she will be getting married on Friday.
“Today, when I woke up, I gave her all her money and wished her well in her marriage. I told her that I couldn’t give her much because I don’t have money.
“I was then surprised to see myself trending on social media, with people insulting me that I have fired ‘Mai Zogale’ because Rarara sang for her. I was so delighted he did that. I did not fire her. She told me she’s getting married, demanded her pay and I gave her and wished her well.”
But Fatima countered her former boss; insisting that Aisha fired her because of the song by Rarara.
“I heard my former boss saying that she did not sack me, that I lied. This is the second time I am having issues with her. During the fasting period, someone gave me two sets of textile materials and she demanded that I give her one but I refused because the person said I should take one and give one to my mother. That resulted in my sack. She lied.
“After fasting, she recalled me, saying there was no market and I came back. After two weeks, Rarara came to the shop to buy Zogale.”
“I told him how I have been his fan after he said he is Rarara the musician. Two days later, I heard the song ‘Fatima Mai Zogale’. At that time, I didn’t even have an android phone, so someone played it for me and they later came to snap my picture where I was selling Zogale.
“Afterwards, Aisha asked if I have heard the song, and whether I was the one featured in the song. I told her to be patient, at least it was for all for us. That our zogale is being advertised, and honestly, we made huge sales.
“She asked who instructed me to do that without her permission? She was angry that I didn’t even call her on the phone to inform her and I apologised for the oversight. The following morning, she called and told me to go home because I have been sacked. I cried and apologised again but she insisted that I must go because they sang for me without even mentioning her name.”
Last Monday, Fatima was seen in a party said to have been organized by Dauda Kahutu Rarara for his fans.
Zogale was among the delicacies served at the event, and the song ‘Fatima Mai Zogale’ was the main music.
After the event, Rarara, in a discussion with journalists, said he will assist her to open zogale joints in Kano, Kaduna and Abuja.
Reacting, Dr. Muhsin Ibrahim, a lecturer at the University of Cologne, Germany, who authored the first book on Kannywood and who has been commenting on Kannywood issues, wrote on his Facebook page, “The Fatima Mai Zogale song by Dauda Kahutu Rarara and the subsequent drama should teach us some general lessons about fame and life. I will mention only two here.
“First, unlike what many people think about fame, it often comes to you when you least expect it. You don’t have to go out of your way or common decency or “chase clout” to become famous. Fatima Mai Zogale is in the spotlight without doing any of these.
“Second, fame comes with a cost. In Fatima’s case, it began with her mistress sacking her. Now that Rarara has promised to help her establish her own zogale shop, I don’t think that’s the end of her struggle, thanks to this stardom. She will likely face more challenges within and outside her family and friends. I hope she handles them well.
“Besides, I like this new version of Rarara. While he is still a political singer (without ideology), his foray into other genres demonstrates his unparalleled talent. Now, he is, perhaps arguably, on par with both ‘Nanaye’ film singers and traditional ones. What an accomplishment!
“May God transform your life from grass to grace better than that of Fatima Mai Zogale, amin,” he concludes.
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