Be committed to your passion

– Mrs Emilia Csaszar

Educational background I attended Government Day Secondary School, Kawo, Kaduna. After secondary school, I applied to the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria to study medicine, but rather than give me my course of choice, I was given Pharmacy. Because I was so bent on studying medicine, I decided to re-write the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board exam (JAMB) so that I can be given my course of choice. Again, I was given accounting rather than my medicine my choice of study.

I then said to myself that maybe this is what God wants me to study. I went ahead to study accounting and I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting in 1998.

However, I never practised as an accountant, as I veered off from my administrative career into security. I have two Masters Degrees in Strategy and Security Administration (MASSA) and International Affairs and Strategic Studies

Mrs Emilia F. Csaszar is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Marshall Star Services Limited, a private security firm in Kaduna State. Born into the family of Major Haruna Yusuf, a former military officer and Mrs Hauwau Haruna, an entrepreneur. Emilia ventured into the security business after she experienced the Sharia crisis in Kaduna State. Driven by her passion to see that there was security in the country, Emilia’s 18 years of experience in security is making a mark with the support of her 4,500 staff deployed in 25 states of the federation. The Edo State indigene and mother of two shares her experiences with Tambari. (MIASS) both from the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in 2010 and 2012. I am presently undergoing my doctorate degree in Security and Strategic Studies at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi and I have over 25 different security certifications. I did my one year mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC),

Career

It has been an amazing journey; I still wonder how I got into the security business. I started out being an administrator because I read accounting. After my NYSC, we had the Sharia crisis in Kaduna around 2000. Then my father was still in service and we were living in Kalapanzi barracks in Kaduna, although we were safe in the barracks, outside the barracks, we saw many destructions of lives and property. I became very worried and I asked my father why with all the security apparatus we have in the country, we still can have this kind of breakdown of law and order; his answer was that government can not do everything and that security was a collective responsibility. He then suggested that private security companies can collaborate with government to secure the State. I wanted to join the army like my father because of the passion I had to find solutions to the nation’s security problems, unfortunately, at that time, the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) had not started admitting female cadets. I went back to consult with my father who suggested I set up a security firm to begin to be part of the solution from a private perspective and that is how I decided to go into security in 2002. I got my registration as a security firm we got certified by the Ministry of Interior from the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) who are responsible for regulating private security firms in the country.

Because of the passion I have for security in Nigeria, I have been able to penetrate the field which is mostly maledominated to bring in my own wealth of experience to the security industry in the country.

How was growing up like?

Growing up was fun, there was no dull moment, I had siblings, I had four brothers and three girls, we did not even know who were girls and who were boys because we were all just growing up together. Both my parents are late, but they instilled in us the value of entrepreneurship. My mother always told us that whatever we learn to do, can never be taken away from us, she always carried us along while she was trading and even when we were in school, she would make us do one or two things where she was trading.

Life challenges

A woman in a man’s world is what I call my kind of business, there were not many women in the security business as of 2002 and I was a young woman that had just graduated from university with no experience. It was a bit of an uphill battle but, when you have a commitment, you fight to ensure you do all it takes to achieve that commitment so I decided then to go for all the relevant certification courses that will ensure I become a credible voice in that space. I have grown and I now command the respect of my peers that are mostly men who are retired military and paramilitary personnel who have come into the private space of security. Also, as a woman, when you thrive in a business, people should applaud you because aside from doing the business, you are a mother, a wife, a daughter and a sister but you still run your business, people take it for granted but in the security environment, you have to take risks. One of the challenges I faced while in this business was that of legitimacy and how people doubted my knowledge of security. This drove me to ensure that I got every certificate on security a man had, I grew from five guards to over 4,500 security operatives in over 25 states of the federation. I would not have been successful if I did not have the right people on my team. I am a former Kaduna State Chairman of the Association License Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN), the body that coordinates and drives the activities of all private security practitioners in the state and in the country at large; I was elected twice the Chairman in Kaduna and also twice the Vice President of the association nationwide. This feat gave me the legitimacy I so desired

as the woman who knows her onions in her field of expertise. Life lessons Life has taught me not to despise the days of little beginnings, never look down on anything because you never know what can come out of it.

Aspirations growing up

I wanted to be a doctor. We should not, as parents tailor our children into what we want them to become because even your own life, we can’t tell what will become of it in future. Although I wanted to be a doctor, I ended up as a security manager and I enjoy it. I do not regret not being a doctor, however, my daughter is a medical doctor. So what I aspired to be my daughter already is.

Fond childhood memories I miss

Growing up in the barrack, we were adventurous and we feared nothing, there was freedom and we did not have that fear of exploring our environment. We went everywhere and came back by whatever time, safe. There was no security issue unlike now when you send your child to buy something, your heart is in your mouth wondering if the child will come back home. The country was at peace, there was security. I miss the freedom to come and go anytime. Joys of motherhood I have two children, a boy and a girl; one cannot quantify the joys of motherhood. I miss my children because they are now young adults, my son is at university while my daughter is a doctor, and practising in Switzerland. I am happy because they have grown to become kind-hearted, empathic and grounded people. I see that trait in them and I am proud as a mother. Most cherished gift I have this beautiful gift that was not bought with money. During the lockdown, as I said my kids are abroad and my husband had travelled abroad and could not come back. So I was home alone. On my birthday my kids made a fantastic video, they got every family member to wish me a happy birthday and tell me what they love about me. They then attached it in a video compendium and on the morning of my birthday while I was feeling depressed, I got a call from my daughter asking me to open a video on WhatApp, there I saw my husband, my children and all my siblings from all over the world wishing me a happy birthday, I got so emotional but it is the best gift I have ever received.

Best fashion accessories

My high heels, wristwatch and wedding rings. Tell us how you met your husband? I met My husband, Martin Csaszar in Kaduna on my way to ABU. He gave me a ride to Zaria, he was not going to Zaria but he insisted on taking me to Zaria and that was the beginning of the romance.

The most cherished attribute of his

One attribute of his I cherish is the fact that he is so empathic and kind-hearted. He is one person who will give you the shirt off his back. This has continuously drawn me to him. He is also a God-fearing man. You know women are usually the prayer warriors of the family but in my case, my husband is our prayer warrior and he loves me, when your husband loves you, he will do anything to make you happy.

Best travel destination

Marrakesh in Morocco, I love it because it has a mixture of different cultures. You would think that it is an Islamic country and there will be restrictions, but Morocco is like Europe, you are free and nobody harasses you and their food is fantastic.

How do you relax?

I am an avid watcher of Discovery ID which is about crime. They investigate and solve a crime and it’s my best channel. I also relax by listening to music and if I have the time, I exercise. I am a fitness enthusiast and if I cannot go to the gym, I take long walks. TAMBARI SUNDAY, MAY 2, 2021

Last good book you read

I read Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe years ago because as an African, I thought he spoke the pains before the colocalization of Nigeria and the clashes between our culture and the Whiteman’s culture which is still re-vibrating until today. That is a book that has stayed with me and I even keep it by my bedside. Favourite food and drink I love fried rice and fresh fish. I also like cold coconut water, the one that you get after breaking the coconut and pour it on ice. It is the most refreshing drink I have ever tasted. My definition of style I like comfortable and fitting attires because they must look good on me. I am a classic African woman, I like Ankara styles so most times, you see me in fitted but comfortable Ankara styles. Favourite fashion designer My designer is Kofi Mensa of Classic Fashion; he is a Ghanaian who lives in Kaduna. I prefer to sew my clothes rather than buy ready-made because they do not have a good fitting, especially for Ankara. Favourite perfume, designer bag and shoes My favourite perfume is Chanel No. 5, for bags, I love Gucci stuff, as for shoes, I love Steve Martin’s because they make comfortable high heel shoes. Mum’s advice that has stuck to date My mum taught us good business ethics, she gave us the idea that whatever we learn with our hands, stays with us forever. She also taught us not to rely on people for stuff, but rather pray to God and do what we can. My advice to women I would advise them to be committed to whatever their passion is, do not allow the naysayers to dissuade you from what you feel in your heart you can accomplish. Favourite sport, weather and colour I love soccer, I am an avid supporter of the Super Eagles, I love the rain, especially when it is drizzling. My favourite colour is red because red shows passion. Beauty routine I do not go without exfoliation. I scrub my skin, especially my face because I have an oily face and if you do not exfoliate, you get clogged pores. What would you tell a younger you? I would tell myself to calm down. You know growing up in a security dominated world, we were all over the place doing ten things at the same time and missing those little things that should have brought you joy. One fashion accessory I cherish, to date I have this ring that was given to me by my husband, I do not wear it very often but I still have it. The first and last App I check every day I check WhatApp because my children communicate with me through WhatsApp. Favourite music It is Nara by Tim Godfrey and Travis Greene What I wouldn’t be caught wearing I would not be caught wearing anything above my knee; I do not like exposing my legs because I feel it is inappropriate for a respected woman.