Rukayya Umar Santa, popularly known as Dawayya is a veteran Kannywood actress and a producer. In this interview with Weekend Magazine, she talks about her recent involvement in politics and more. Excerpts:
Weekend Magazine: How did you become an actress?
Dawayya: I began schooling in Kano State before left for Saudi Arabia where I continued. On my return at the age of 15, I wanted to join the Hausa movie industry but was advised to wait a little bit until I got older. During this period, I rounded off my secondary school education and soon became an actress. I got the name Dawayya from a role I played from one of my earliest films. I gradually metamorphosed to become one of the leading producers through my company, Dawayya Movies.
WM: Did you further your education afterward?
Dawayya: Yes, I did. I went for a diploma course in computer science and later enrolled for my first degree at Bayero University, Kano (BUK).
I strongly believe in girl-child education. I am set to explore education to the maximum because I know how important it is. I currently teach in an Islamiyya school.
WM: It is true that you have quit acting and ventured into politics?
Dawayya: No, I haven’t quit acting. But it’s true that I have ventured into politics full time and I know a lot of my fans will attest to that because during last elections I was involved in campaigns in Kano, Katsina and Jigawa. I was more inclined to Katsina State politics because that is my state of origin and where I usually cast my vote. I was involved in President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign and visible in virtually all the states he visited.
WM: What was your experience in politics like?
Dawayya: It was indeed very educative and an eye-opener. Being in the film making industry is quite different from being in politics. I learned how to deal with different kinds of people. It has made me stronger and more determined to be part of the needed change in this country, beginning with my domain. It has expanded my vision to look beyond the film making industry in impacting people’s lives as an individual and a group. Indeed, I feel I can contest in elections and I have the feeling that I will win if I contest.
WM: Don’t you think you will find politics too difficult?
Dawayya: Though they are two different things, I don’t think it will be difficult for me or any Kannywood artist to be a politician. I believe politics goes hand-in-hand with popularity and we are popular in what we do best. Therefore, I don’t think it will be difficult for me. Initially that was how I looked at partisan politics, but when I finally ventured into it, I found out it wasn’t what I thought it was.
WM: How would you rate your involvement in politics?
Dawayya: I will rate myself high, because all the people I have campaigned for have won their election. I campaigned for President Buhari and he won. I did same for both governors of Kano and Katsina and they have all won their elections. Going by this, I think no one will fault my rating because it has yielded results.
WM: How do you view opinions held by some people that female Kannywood actresses are miscreants?
Dawayya: It is high time the public starts seeing us as simply human. We are equally sons and daughters of people who have tried their best to educate us. We are not aliens. Acting is a profession just like any other, therefore people should not judge us by a single person’s mistake. This issue has been on for quite a long time, but I am happy that many have started to differentiate between what a member did and what others are doing.
WM: How has your film company fared so far?
Dawayya: Dawayya Movies has been one of the strongest filmmaking outfits, and this is not because it is mine. I am sure many share the same view. However, my company has expanded its scope to become a full business firm. We have ventured into importation and other business activities. In a nutshell, the company has moved to the next level.
