Legally luxurious

Binta Suleiman is an interior designer. She is the brain behind Albedo Interior Décor and Design School, Abuja. Born in the United Kingdom on July 26, 1977, to the family of Engineer Suleiman Muhammad, Binta hails from Safa, Jigawa State. Among other thin

BUT BY THE END OF MY FIRST YEAR, I MADE UP MY MIND TO CONTINUE STUDYING LAW. I MADE PEACE WITH IT AND I TOLD MYSELF THAT IT WAS WHAT GOD INTENDED FOR ME WE WERE HOMESCHOOLED IN OUR EARLY YEARS, SO THERE WAS A LOT OF PLAYING WITH MY SIBLINGS. WE USED TO GO OUT EVERY WEEKEND TO THE DAM TO BUY FISH AND GO TO BAGAUDA AND ANADARIYA TO PLAY WITH THE CHICKENS AND HORSES

Education

I started my primary education in Mogwon Primary School from Primary 2. I was homeschooled by my father during my early education. He taught me everything, from reading to writing. From there, I moved to Girls’ Arabic School, Danbatta in Kano State, where I did my Junior Secondary School. Then in 1991, I went to Science Secondary School, Taura in Jigawa State, where I completed my secondary education in 1994. After that, went to the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria to study Law in 1996. I was meant to study Medicine, but unfortunately, I did not have Mathematics and Physics, so I was given Law as my course of study instead. It was a complete departure from what I intended to study. I wanted to change my course to Medicine during my first year, so I wrote WAEC again, just so I could correct my result and pursue that dream. But by the end of my first year, I made up my mind to continue studying Law. I made peace with it and I told myself that it was what God intended for me. I graduated in 2001 and went to Law School in 2002. I got married in that same year and was called to the Bar in 2003.

Career

I did my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme in a law firm, Abdullahi Ibrahim and Co. We then moved to Katsina, where I taught at the Hassan Katsina Polytechnic as a parttime lecturer for about a year and a half. From there, we moved to Abuja, where I worked at the FCT High Court as a legal research assistant to a judge for about three years until we moved to Lagos, so I had to quit my job. I got bored in Lagos because I had nothing to do but read newspapers and books. So I went to the Chartered Institute of Arbitration, where I am now an associate member, but I was still bored. So I used my last allowance from the High Court to buy bed-sheets and send to Abuja for people to buy. It started going well, but people started buying them on credit, so my money wasn’t coming out of the business. My sister then suggested an idea to open a shop in Kano, which I did. I renovated the place and put my bed- sheets there and added other decorative items. After I did the renovations, I realised that I was actually very good at it because it came out beautifully. So I considered looking at it as a career option since I was jobless at the time. I searched for some interior design schools in Lagos and went in 2011. I later got the certificate course and the business started running.

In Lagos I was doing renovation jobs from home. We later moved back to Abuja in 2014 and a friend of mine said we should open an office. We thought of Purple Ambiance, my shop in Kano, but then I wanted something more professional because I realised that being an interior designer is much more than selling decorative items. So we incorporated a company that included a little bit of everything - renovations and architectural services. So we registered Albedo Designs Limited, and here we are today, building it with a design school which started in November 2015. We are currently in the process of getting certification from the National Board of Technical Education (NBTE) so we can start giving National Diplomas in Nigeria, with a curriculum developed in Nigeria.

Growing up

I remember my early years being a lot of fun. I grew up in Tiga. My dad was the manager at Tiga Dam when it was being built and our house was there. It was very peaceful, green and very playful. We were homeschooled in our early years, so there was a lot of playing with my siblings. We used to go out every weekend to the dam to buy fish and go to Bagauda and Anadariya to play with the chickens and horses.

Challenges

Part of my personal challenges in life is finding out the person I am and who I am becoming. Most of my personal challenges are within me and managing people,

marriage, and my work. At a point, I was very overwhelmed by them and they were driving me crazy. But then, my dad told me something one day during one of his visits to Abuja. I told him that “life is difficult,” and he replied by saying that “life is supposed to be difficult. It is not supposed to be easy.” So from then on, I recalibrated my mind and told myself that this is how it is and I have to face the challenges as they come. It allowed me to separate and handle the parts of my life from my life at home, work and my friends.

Life lessons

To always be positive and strong, work hard, keep pushing and never give up. Things will always work out.

Aspirations

I wanted to be a doctor. I also wanted to be someone who is successful and whose life is in order.

Childhood memories

I miss playing always. Life was very easy and uncomplicated. We used to wake up in the morning and feed the chickens and animals in our petting zoo - the rabbits, tortoise and cows.

How I met my husband

I met him in the university: the ABU, Zaria, during my first year. He had left school but we had a friend. That’s how we met.

Most cherished gift

My most cherished gift was from my husband. When I wanted to open a shop in Kano, I did not have money because I was jobless at the time. My husband gave me 2 pieces of land and told me to sell them and put the proceeds into my business. I cherish that because it came at a time when I needed it the most.

Most cherished attribute of his

His generous nature. He is selfless to a fault. He gives and gives and gives. He is also very supportive. He supports me in whatever I do and in any way he can, whether it is financially or moral support.

Top 5 on my wish list

Firstly, I wish I could run for 10 kilometers non-stop. If I reach that goal I would be more than happy. Secondly, I would love to see my kids grow up to be reputable citizens and good people. Thirdly, I would love to see my school succeed. If we achieve this, it will be the first of its kind and bring about a lot of opportunities for people. Fourthly, there are some personal issues that I would love to see resolved, and I am getting there. Lastly, to be fit and healthy.

Favourite music on replay

Bastille. I love music that moves me, motivates me and speaks to me.

First App I check in the morning and at bedtime

I check my Instagram first thing in the morning and the last thing before I go to bed at night.

Favourite fashion items

I love earrings. I am very particular about earrings.

What I wouldn’t be caught wearing

Dungarees. There’s no way I will ever be caught wearing them.

Best travel destination

Dubai, because of how easy it is to get around. It is a hassle-free place. And because I speak a little bit of Arabic, I have no trouble when I am there at all. It isn’t congested, and it is designed to serve tourists, so you are guaranteed to have a great time if you go there.

How I relax

I read books and watch TV. I enjoy watching TV a lot. The sound alone soothes me when I am stressed.

Favourite food

Danwake is my favourite food, but now I’m on a diet, so I can’t remember the last time I had it. I also love tea a lot. I can have up to 10 cups in a day.

My definition of style

Comfort. Anything that is practical and comfortable because of my line of work.

Favourite fashion designer

Victoria Beckham. Her designs stand out and are unique.

Favourite designer perfume, bag and shoes

My favourite perfume is Gucci Envy, bag is DKNY, and shoes are Nine West.

Mum’s advice that stuck with me

She always told us not to judge people, no matter what they do; we should rather pray for them. And that’s what I do till date. I never judge people, no matter what. It has helped me a lot because I am not narrow- minded when it comes to what people do. It gives me a chance to see things from their perspective.

Another advice she gave me is not to intrude, and always give people their space. Never poke your nose into other people’s business.

Favourite sport, colour and weather

I like gymnastics, although I have never done it before. I enjoy watching it. My favourite colour is red and I love cold weather, whether it is harmattan or snow.

Favourite day of the week

I love Mondays. It is when everything starts. I spend my whole weekend planning for Monday. It is the beginning of a new week when you list what you are going to do for the rest of the week. It is the most exciting day of the week for me.

Beauty routine

I scrub and exfoliate. I also use sunscreen. I burn easily, so sunscreen is a crucial part of my beauty routine.

Achievements

My kids. I am happy with the way they turned out. They are not perfect, but I am very proud of them.

Role models

Hillary Clinton and my mother. They are both strong women. My mother is a strong woman who has gone through a lot and always comes out stronger than ever. She doesn’t give up.

Looking back, what I would tell a younger me

I would tell her to take life easy. Everything resolves itself in the long run.

I LOVE MUSIC THAT MOVES ME, MOTIVATES ME AND SPEAKS TO ME.