Since the inception of the Hausa entertainment industry, popularly known as Kannywood, many actors and actresses have emerged. On the flipside, a number of them have also experienced controversies, especially the actresses. While many have given accolades to the industry for the successes in their career, others have dragged the industry’s name in the mud.

Hadiza Aliyu Gabon

Hadiza Aliyu Gabon is one of the few female actresses in Kannywood that have grown. She is a Nigerian-Gabonese actress, filmmaker, philanthropist and renowned entrepreneur. Hadiza, who has dual citizenship and is currently in the news for her new body shape due to rapid weight loss, started as a French teacher in Nigeria before venturing into filmmaking in 2009 with her debut in Artabu. Despite being mocked over her understanding of Hausa language, the actress was not deterred as she rose to stardom clinching roles in hit Hausa movies. She featured in films like Fataken Dare; Wata Tafi Wata; Farar Saka; Daina Kuka; Mukaddari; Ziyadat; Fataken Dare; Kolo; Artabu; Sakayya and Wasila.

Others are Umarnin Uwa; Badi Ba Rai; Yar Maye; Akirizzaman; Aisha Humaira; Dare Daya; Da Kai Zan Gana; Wata Tafi Wata; Indon Kauye, among many others

Determined, the actress crossed to Nollywood in 2017 with an English movie titled, Lagos Real Fake Life, proving herself worthy of every role given to her. The actress also received numerous accolades and awards, including the Best Actress (Hausa) at the 2013 Best of Nollywood awards, Best Actress of the Year at the 2014 Kannywood/MTN awards and Best Supporting Actress at the 2016 African Hollywood awards in London.

Similarly, her fame accorded her several endorsements as she had endorsement from brands like MTN Nigeria, Indomie Noddles and Dangote Classic Seasoning in 2018. The actress did not just stop at entertainment through acting or ambassadorial deals as she expanded and delved into philanthropy for her love for charity to the less privileged in the society.

In 2016, she founded the HAG Foundation to support education, health care and vulnerable communities, touching numerous lives along the line. She didn’t stop there as she also launched a fashion line named, Ventures like Beaute Naturelle and Classic Sewing by Adizatou.

According to a Kano-based Kannywood analyst, Abbah Ibraheem Samba, Gabon has been one of the few Kannywood female artistes who have used every opportunity the industry offered. Samba said the actress had proved to the world that with determination, everything is possible.

“She came to Kannywood without even having the ability to speak Hausa language fluently, but she was determined to excel and devoted her time and resources to be where she is today. Hadiza Gabon is now a force to reckon with in the industry. Her ability to have a foresight had made her an icon in Kannywood that many actresses were aspiring to be like,” he said.

However, the actress had managed to stay off controversy until recently when she decided to slim down. While everyone admired her for her curvy looks, Hadiza decided to make a change in her life – she decided to lose weight. Some people supported her, but others didn’t like the change as some fans said she didn’t look beautiful anymore. They loved her curves and said she was “devaluing” herself by slimming down.

Ironically, the actress told everyone that she was happy with her transformation as it made her feel great, no matter what people said. She is still single.

Her main crisis seems to have revolved around legal actions and public allegations. She was involved in a court case over refusal to marry a certain Bala Musa, a civil servant in Kaduna State, who claimed that he spent N396,000 on her under the impression that she promised to marry him.

Musa dragged her to a Sharia court, alleging that she refused to marry him after receiving the money. Hadiza, however, denied having any relationship with Musa, saying she did not even know him.

Rahama Sadau

Rahama Ibrahim Sadau, popularly known as Rahama Sadau, is a Nigerian actress, singer, dancer and filmmaker who ventured into Kannywood’s film industry in late 2013 and became well known in her debut film, Gani ga Wane.

The actress, who recently got married few weeks ago, and whose husband’s identity remains unknown till date, will forever be remembered by her fans as the only actress from the North that has acted in various Kannywood and Nollywood films. Interestingly, she has also acted in Bollywood movies. With a number of appearances, she is also one of the few Nigerian actors who can communicate fluently in Hindi, which gives her an advantage in the industry.

With numerous awards in her kitty, she won Kannywood Best Actress at the City People Entertainment Awards in 2014 and 2015, while also winning the African Actress trophy from African Voice at the 19th African Film Awards in 2015. She was the first well known Hausa person to be included in a list of Nigeria’s 10 most beautiful ladies.

Sadau has acted in a lot of movies and music videos throughout her acting career; and in 2017, she established Sadau Pictures, which she utilised in making her debut film production, Rariya, starring Sadiq Sani Sadiq, Ali Nuhu and Fati Washa.

Her role in the MTV Shuga drama series made her a popular household name like never before. She acted alongside popular actor: Timini Egbuson, Yakubu Mohammed, Uzoamaka Aniunoh and Ruby Akabueze, amongst many others.

Rahama Sadau’s career has been filled with a number of scandals. For example, she was in the news for her role in a music video of a northern singer, Classique, then came her fashion outfit saga, among other crises. Sadau was among the first female artistes to be expelled from the Kannywood industry.

According to one of the directors in the industry, Kabiru Bello, Rahama is indeed a talented actress who knows her onions. According to him, she happens to know what is relevant, as well as when to react and how to react.

“Rahama is a fantastic actress who has never been in disconnect with the trend in the entertainment sector. She groomed herself to be where she is today because she is a good manager with an innovative mind,” he said.

He added that hardly would any actress in Kannywood fill the gap that Rahama Sadau would leave behind when she retires.

“The actress is not just focused on entertainment, she has also ventured into many beauty businesses. She owns a beauty salon: Sadau Beauty, in addition to running Sadau Movies. She also runs Yogohamy, an ice cream store in Kaduna State and also an ambassador for the Maltina brand. Ray of Hope is a non-profit outfit founded by the versatile actress. She has been acknowledged by many, including students and received the Association of Northern Nigerian Students’ “Peace Ambassador” designation. Rahma remains one of the most versatile women of Kannywod.

Aisha Humaira

Aisha Ahmed, popularly known as Aisha Humaira, is one of the few female artistes making Kannywood what it is today. Since this talented young Hausa-Fulani actress launched her acting career in 2018, she has been dedicated and unassumingly rising. Her calmness and open heart are said to have given her an edge over other female artistes as she became very successful within a short period of time.

Aminu Isah Bahago, a film practitioner in Kano State, said Aisha Humaira had brought elements of discipline and dedication to the acting profession as she kept demonstrating a strong sense of duty in all she does.

The actress, singer and dancer played Aisha Humaira in Hafeez, a movie that elevated her to stardom. She got the 2019 Kannywood award as Best Actress, 2020 City People Entertainment award as Best Actress, 2021 Arewa Film Festival Best Actress, 2022 Kannywood Music award as Best Female Singer.

She has acted in films like Hafeez; Humaira; Sirrin Dake Raina; Zainul Abideen; Ciwon Idanuna; Ana Barin Halak; Wutar Kara; Birnin Dala; Kawaye; Manyan Mata, among many others.

The actress kept debunking the rumour making the round of a secret romance between herself and her colleague – famous singer, Dauda Kahutu Rarara. It was, however, surprising when months later she got married to the renowned Hausa political singer in Borno State, her hometown, an action that surprised many in the industry, including her fans.

According to one of Humaira’s fans, Abbas Mayaki, Aisha is a hardworking woman who knows what it takes to be successful. She came into the industry and rose within a short time to become one of the successful actresses. He noted that she is currently one of the female role models in the country, especially from Kannywood.

Samira Ahmad

Samira Ahmad has been a household name in Kannywood though she has not been gracing the screens lately. The actress said she was still a member of the Hausa film business, even if she hasn’t been in many films lately.

The actress, who also works as a humanitarian, interior decorator and film producer, is among the best actresses Kannywood has produced in the history of the industry.

Samira made her debut after being introduced into the business by her close friend, Mansura Isa. The actress starred in films such as Sai na Dawo, Garin Dadi, Bissalam, and Na Mamajo, among others. She had also sponsored more than 100 students to attend different educational institutions and worked on projects to install boreholes in secondary schools

She was once married to her colleague, TY Shaba but later got divorced. The marriage produced a child. It was reliably gathered that the actress has never been suspended or subjected to sanction in the industry as she is said to be very disciplined and committed.

Samira’s acting career has earned her multiple accolades. The actress has also delved into the interior business.

A Kannywood commentator, Saminu Hussaini Gaya, described Samira as as good actress. to miss.

Fans speak

Garba Shaba, a devoted fan of Hadiza Gabon, said he had never failed to enjoy the actress’s films, saying that whenever she is not in movies, he found them boring, adding that he constantly compared every lead female actress to Gabon; and in his view, none lives up to the standard she set.

Irrespective of the fact that Hadiza Gabon is my favourite actress, her contributions to the development of Kannywood cannot be quantified. She gave the industry a new outlook with her versatility in acting. Many upcoming actresses want to be like her. She is also successful in managing crises; perhaps that is why she remains relevant in the industry,” he said.

He also noted that her talk show is the evidence of her versatility.

Similarly, Rahma Sadau’s fan said he admired the zeal with which the actress works. She, however, had something to say about the controversies that surrounded her: “We crowned her the ‘Queen of Scandals’ because of the numerous controversies she has faced in the industry. We love her boldness and masculine attitude towards issues. Rahama has proven to be a go-getter in the industry,” said a fan of Rahma, Fatima Abdulmalik.

According to Fatima, Rahma is regarded as the female version of the Hausa film industry king, Ali Nuhu. She also said that watching the actress made her nurse the idea of becoming one herself, but admitted that she could not endure crises the way Rahama does.

Sani Bala Hangama, Aisha Humaira’s fan, said the actress symbolised compassion, adding that despite not being in the industry for long, her works speak for themselves.

“With her short stay in the industry, her gesture towards everyone has made her excel far beyond expectations. That is why she commands respect everywhere. Aisha has grown to become a force in Kannywood, and now that she is married to another entertainment guru, Dauda Rarara, it clearly shows that the sky is the limit for her,” he said.

Maryam Jamilu, a fan of Samira Ahmad, also said, “She is the screen diva who has won the hearts of many fans. I shed tears watching one of her films. I was taken aback because I had always thought of myself as strong when it comes to emotions, but her acting made me cry. Samira’s philanthropic acts have endeared her to many Kannywood fans.”

She added that Samira had demonstrated that every woman could be productive if given the right opportunity.

“Samira is a businesswoman who never forgets her roots. She is a role model to many of us,” Maryam also said. (Via Daily Trust)

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