BBC:What If Tambaya Tells Lie?

By Hasheem Abdallah

Let me congratulate media first because of the wonderful revelation made by the BBC Hausa, the illustrious outlet seen by many Hausa speaking listeners who may metamorphose into viewers in this modern time. To the BBC, let me dually commend and add a complain that the Ladin Cima (Tambaya) revelation is one among the thousands we expect from the BBC Hausa. No gain saying, media always claim objectivity in the approaches to dissemination of information, hence the idea or the prominent tenet called balanced report. Next, I will expect BBC to interview unknown writers and other film activity crew members that are downtrodden in the activity, whence the revelation might be the worst or more pathetic at least. There may be mindboggling ones if a revelation is attempted sequel to investigating all the angles. Previously, I kept thinking, BBC was never balanced until they started interviewing Tambaya –Ladin Chima and the likes, let alone Tambaya in particular who must be one of the mothers if not grand of what we consider movie, drama or filming in its generic term. There are many untold plights of the ‘minors’ in that profession, hence unknown. Sometimes as in the case of writers (those ones I know most) it is a kind of practice succinctly equated to one popular Nigerian maxim, ‘monkey dey work baboon dey chop’ or, ‘Kura ta ci kure…’ as in the language of bullies in the Tashe Hausa land mobile theatre, where strong bullies whatever in the possession of weak’s performance rewards. Writers’ plight is the worst I emphasise.

Hashim Abdallah

This is neither meant to put weight on Tambaya’s unfortunate revelation nor to exonerate filmmakers even those who shamelessly tries to fend themselves what is obvious. They could only feign in place of fending. This is more of to urge BBC and others to give us more by extension of their interviews to more Tambayas as there many, I discern. She only bared her mind from real experience which none can deny her personal experience.

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The most unfortunate thing which is ethic in our society but was forgotten when the Tambaya interview brought disquiet is respect to elders. It is a tenet in Islam rather, ‘one must respect grey hairs even if it means respecting Zionist’s. In our culture, to tell lie is prohibited. However, if you said an elderly person lied, it is an insult to his person (maybe because elders do not tell lie usually) let alone a person who is old enough to be your parent. In the case of Ladin Chima Tambaya, unfortunately, many of them, disrespectfully said Tambaya lied not minding she spoke her real life experiences.

Although they cannot be free of accusations, even those who tried to exonerate themselves, they did it only shamelessly in what Hausa adage may consider ‘borin kunya’ cum ‘ihu bayan hari,’ because they cannot cover knowledge of what used to transpire between her and other filmmakers, probabbly in their absentia.

Even the approaches to her person highlights trivialising those who are not making or they do not care paying any homage to pioneers or forefathers of what begotten their profession. Ladin Chima started before most of them were born, nursed. She had hand in nurturing all the activity after incubating to final hatching hence Kannywood is now born. In my opinion, Ladin Chima and the likes should rest at home and still collect some royalty as she collects from her clinical job she retired. She should finally be honoured and henceforce, owes them an apology if they really respect elders right at home.

As I support creativity, filmmaking and its sanitised progress always, I will never support exploitation which happens to almost a description near to bondage. Let me affirm unequivocally that Hausa viewers have every reason to believe Tambaya. Bashir Bala Chiroki was abandoned and exploited talented comedian, Late Hajiya Binta Kofar Soro was the victim of the similar scenario as everybody who cares witnessed when she died many Hausa film directors owing her money.

There are many bad eggs in the Hausa film industry which I will soon write on with a view to revealing. The admirers’, known as fans, plights maybe first before the imminent writers’ where my humble self falls and I am very much familiar with.

Hasheem Abdallah writes from Binyaminu Usman Polytechnic Hadejia, Jigawa State