Women need to do away with greed, jealousy and emnity

I ALSO WANT TO GET MARRIED AGAIN TO A DECENT AND UNDERSTANDING HUSBAND

Hajiya Fati Jajere is the chairperson of F-Jajere Foundation. She is a philanthropist, businesswoman, politician and traditional title holder. In this interview, the indigene of Yobe State, who was born on January 1, 1983 and raised in Potiskum, shared her experiences with Tambari.

IEducational background started my primary school education in Potiskum. When my father was turbaned as the district head of Gadaka in Fika Local Government Area, I was transferred too and I completed my primary education there. Thereafter, I enrolled in Government Secondary School, Gadaka. I later got married, so I had to stop tertiary education. But after the demise of my husband, I got the opportunity to obtain a diploma in Computer Science. I now want to obtain a degree in the National Open University of Nigeria.

I ventured into business and now go to London, Germany, Austria and Dubai to buy clothing and other materials, which I subsequently sell here in Nigeria. Presently, I live in Tarauni, Kano, where I do my business and live with my children.

I am active in politics. I was the North-East zonal coordinator of the Atiku Care Foundation, but after he left the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), I had no option than to abandon him because I am a patriotic northeasterner. I also acted as a woman leader in the campaign team of our present senator, Alhaji Ibrahim Bomai during his quest for the governorship seat. I still act as the one in charge of women affairs in politics, a position that has given me a lot of experiences on the plight of women in Yobe. Since then, I promised to empower them, not minding whether we win or lose. And I will continue in that regard. I am going to call on the entire representatives of Yobe State, either in the state or at the federal level to join hands in empowering women.

are you

As a businesswoman, what mostly proud of?

I feel fascinated and pampered when I find myself too busy and engaged with business, especially when I have my shop filled with customers. I hate idleness.

For politics, I get entertained when I find myself amidst fellow women. They are my supporters. How I wish I could cater for all their needs; but my capacity is not up to that. I feel proud whenever I give something out, no matter how little it is and the receiver shows gratefulness. I cherish giving out more than anything in my life.

Why did you join politics?

It is the motivation from my godfather, Alhaji Ibrahim Bomai. He even made it clear that I would only be in charge of women’s wing. However, initially, my mum objected to it. Hajiya Khadija Abba Ibrahim, the former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, also encouraged me to join politics. She is a good wife and very decent. It is seen as a dirty thing for women to join politics. I can say that politics runs in my family’s blood. My father was an active politician, right from the Northern Elements Progressives Union (NEPU) era. We mobilise women to participate politics. In my zone alone, I registered more than 28,000 women who voted in all the elections. Honestly, I just found myself in politics; I never thought of it. However, it is challenging.

How would you describe F-Jajere Foundation?

I established the Foundation out of my passion and interest to give a sense of belonging to the less privileged. It is not for the sake of politics. The Foundation kickedstarted its outreach programme recently when it donated some materials in the labour room of one hospital. And we are planning to kick-start training acquisition skills. Also, we are determined to provide school uniforms for 50 orphans from each of the four local governments in my zone. We wanted to help girls who finished high school, but because of lack of money, we couldn’t go further; but we can provide them with the necessities to further their education.

How did you meet your husband?

I met him when our father was turbaned as the Emir of Gudu under Fika Local Government Council. A younger brother of our dad invited him to the event. He was a manager and our uncle was a deputy manager in Standard Trust Bank. As soon as he saw me he whispered that he had seen his wife. He was asked if he knew me and he said no, but he insisted that I was his soul-mate. We got married only three weeks from the first meeting. That’s how it all happened. Most cherished attribute of his He was very obedient to his parents. He was too religious. He was humble and lived a moderate live, unlike his juniors in the office who spent lavishly. In fact, he was very ascetic. He wasn’t impatient. He was very fond of making his family happy. He was always looking forward to giving the less privileged a sense of belonging. He had all the good characters expected from a faithful. May he enjoy eternal rest in the highest heavens (Jannatul Firdaus). Ameen.

What wouldn’t you be caught wearing?

Indecent dress; I hate it because I am a Muslim faithful. Favourite music I listen to Indian music very often because they arouse my emotions. I also listen to love music. For northern music, I listen to Adam Zango’s lyrics; they make me laugh. Favourite sport I cherish badminton most. It has been my favourite game since I was in high school. Favourite colour and car I cherish red colour, then dark blue. For cars, I liked white Toyota or Honda.

What’s on your wish list?

First, I want to raise my children. I would like to see them educated and gainfully employed or join business. I want the females to grow up and go to their matrimonial homes. I want to see myself participating in any effort aimed at uplifting women in the North. I always look forward to seeing that F-Jajere Foundation thrives, to the extent that it can cater and empower at least 500 to 1000 women every year. I also want to get married again to a decent and

understanding husband who will give me peace and harmony and allow me continue my business and take care of my children. Your aspirations while growing up I wanted to see myself travelling across Arab countries and driving cars. When I saw a woman on television driving a car with exotic buildings, I would wish to be like her.

How do you relax?

If I need to rest I go to Dubai. If I spend five days visiting markets there for my business, I can get five other days relaxing because I don’t get spare times for myself at home. I am always engaged with business and taking care of my children. So, I rest in Dubai. Favourite clothing/fashion I like Abaya and sheddah. I feel high when I dress up in shedda. Abaya is my simple dress. Favourite perfume I like Givenchy and J’adow by Christain Dior because of their pleasant fragrance.

Favourite designer shoes?

I have no choice on that. I am more of traditional than English, so I need not to wear a designer. Advice to women We should do away with greed, jealousy and enmity. Those of us who are well-to- do should spare something to train fellow women in skills acquisition; it can help their sufferings. I want us to manage the little we get to make sure that our children go to school. Don’t allow your children to rot in the streets hawking. Instead, you should be the hawker and allow them go to school. In the future you will reap from the education you gave them. Women should struggle a lot for their children. Advice to young women looking up to you

This category of my sisters should not spoil their lives going after bad boys. They should not bring bad names to themselves and their families. They should be resolute and focused in life. You can start up a business with little money, as little as N5,000. They should make sure that they are educated and be self-reliant.

I struggled a lot. I have been to many parts of Nigeria in the name of business. If you went to school and realised it is no longer fetching you a job, just venture into business. I can turn down a white collar job that can even fetch me a salary equal to that of a PhD holder. In this business, I sometimes get profits more than what a doctorate degree holder can earn in a month. So, I encourage them not to focus on public services alone. They should device a means of livelihood for themselves. Challenges I have had a number of them, but the one that sticks in my mind most is the death of my husband. He passed on in front of me; I can’t forget that in my entire life. It really devastated me. Life after his demise also shook me. We lived with many ups and downs. At times we would go to bed hungry. Our children would be sent back home for my inability to pay school fees. I received assistance from my mum alone. In fact, I served the role of husband and wife. Role model It’s because of her that I joined partisan politics. I always look up to her. She is down-to-earth in character. She practises opendoor policies, especially towards women. She is a former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hajiya Khadija Abba Ibrahim. Politics never disturbs her matrimonial roles. She is not in politics for personal gains but to uplift women. So, I cherish her a lot. Mum’s advice that stuck with you She always wants to make me happy. She used to tell me that whatever you get in this world is useless as long as it is ill gotten, so strive to earn your wealth legitimately; it can help you here and the hereafter. Don’t allow poverty to lead you astray. She always encouraged me to do business as she’s also a businesswoman. She would fend for my children after the demise of my husband. Favourite food I like traditional dishes most, such as tuwon biski and yakuwa/taushekenan. How many children do you have?

Alhamdulillahi, I am blessed with five children- three boys and two girls.

Best travel destination

Honestly, I enjoy visiting Dubai and Saudi Arabia; I feel cool visiting these two countries.

WHATEVER YOU GET IN THIS WORLD IS USELESS AS LONG AS IT IS ILL GOTTEN