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| Hajiya Hadiza Maitama Sule (R) with daughter (M) and a friend |
Couple of years back, your Africa’s
Number 1 Celebrity Encounter blog, Asabeafrika
ran into Hajiya Hadiza Maitama Sule,
second wife of late former Nigeria’s
permanent Representative to the United Nations, Alhaji Maitama Sule and she revealed some very interesting aspects
of the life style of the man who held the prestigious traditional title of Dan Samanin Kano in his life time. Maitama Sule died last Monday July 3rd
in Egypt (North Africa) and was buried on Tuesday July 4th at his ancestral
Kano home (North Western Nigeria) with the presence of eminent Nigerians who
included politicians, business tycoons, diplomats and royalties. His wife of over 50 years marriage, Hajiya Hadiza Maitama Sule took Asabeafrika through the journey of the
story of their over 50 years romance.
The historic encounter revealed so many things about the love life of the ex
U.N envoy and elder statesman who died at the ripe age of 88. Hajiya Hadiza has a message for today’s
young women who find it difficult to stay in their marriages.
Number 1 Celebrity Encounter blog, Asabeafrika
ran into Hajiya Hadiza Maitama Sule,
second wife of late former Nigeria’s
permanent Representative to the United Nations, Alhaji Maitama Sule and she revealed some very interesting aspects
of the life style of the man who held the prestigious traditional title of Dan Samanin Kano in his life time. Maitama Sule died last Monday July 3rd
in Egypt (North Africa) and was buried on Tuesday July 4th at his ancestral
Kano home (North Western Nigeria) with the presence of eminent Nigerians who
included politicians, business tycoons, diplomats and royalties. His wife of over 50 years marriage, Hajiya Hadiza Maitama Sule took Asabeafrika through the journey of the
story of their over 50 years romance.
The historic encounter revealed so many things about the love life of the ex
U.N envoy and elder statesman who died at the ripe age of 88. Hajiya Hadiza has a message for today’s
young women who find it difficult to stay in their marriages.
Enjoy the experts.
Hajiya, how will you describe your
husband, the great diplomat, Ambassador Maitama Sule?
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| Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Sule of Blessed Memory |
My
husband is great man; very strong at home than what you people view him to be
outside. He is a homely person, a good
husband and great family man.
husband is great man; very strong at home than what you people view him to be
outside. He is a homely person, a good
husband and great family man.
How did you meet and what led to the
union?
union?
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| The Boy, Yusuf Maitama Sule |
In
those days, men never “toast” their wives or fiancées like it is the tradition
now. It was arranged by parents. When a man becomes adult enough to be able to
raise a family, his parents or guardian reach out to the next family whom they
feel has a lady with the characteristic they are looking for and the marriage
will be arranged. Our marriage was arranged and we have been living happily
afterwards. He is a very kind man.
those days, men never “toast” their wives or fiancées like it is the tradition
now. It was arranged by parents. When a man becomes adult enough to be able to
raise a family, his parents or guardian reach out to the next family whom they
feel has a lady with the characteristic they are looking for and the marriage
will be arranged. Our marriage was arranged and we have been living happily
afterwards. He is a very kind man.
How old is the union right now?
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| The Late Statesman in his final years |
We
are 50 years in marriage. Our
relationship is more of friendship and we have been like that in the last fifty
years.
are 50 years in marriage. Our
relationship is more of friendship and we have been like that in the last fifty
years.
Then when they arranged him for you to
marry, was it love at first sight. I
mean, did you ever loved the man you didn’t court?
marry, was it love at first sight. I
mean, did you ever loved the man you didn’t court?
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| Hajiya Hadiza’s Heartthrob, Yusuf Maitama Sule |
(Laughter)
of course I love him very much. Our love
in those days was not like nowadays when girls love money. Relationship with men in those days was of
pure love, not what we have these days, which is of money. For me, it was a guaranteed love.
of course I love him very much. Our love
in those days was not like nowadays when girls love money. Relationship with men in those days was of
pure love, not what we have these days, which is of money. For me, it was a guaranteed love.
Are you from Kano?
Yes.
When he became the U.N Ambassador, did
you follow him down to his base or you stayed home?
you follow him down to his base or you stayed home?
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| The Late Ambassador Maitama Sule as a UN Permanent Representative |
I
was with him all through, then I was raising our children and for him, it was
always a crowd a day. He was always
receiving one guest or the other and i became busy as a result of that. It was a great experience. I really enjoyed it.
was with him all through, then I was raising our children and for him, it was
always a crowd a day. He was always
receiving one guest or the other and i became busy as a result of that. It was a great experience. I really enjoyed it.
But do you think your husband would have
made a good leader if he had become the President of Nigeria?
made a good leader if he had become the President of Nigeria?
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| Elder Statesman, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Sule |
Honestly,
he would have been one because I know he is someone who doesn’t like
money. He is so prudent and decent in
his living. But being a President or
leader of one’s country is something that comes from God. For my husband not to be one, means God
didn’t permit it. But if he had been
given the chance, Nigeria will have enjoyed his leadership qualities. He cares and love putting smiles on people’s
face. We have accepted our fate in that
regard.
he would have been one because I know he is someone who doesn’t like
money. He is so prudent and decent in
his living. But being a President or
leader of one’s country is something that comes from God. For my husband not to be one, means God
didn’t permit it. But if he had been
given the chance, Nigeria will have enjoyed his leadership qualities. He cares and love putting smiles on people’s
face. We have accepted our fate in that
regard.
How many children did your marriage
produce?
produce?
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| Rekhia, Friends & hubby |
By God’s grace, we have ten children. They
are all doing fine in their various endeavors.
are all doing fine in their various endeavors.
Are they all married or some still
schooling?
schooling?
In
fact we are now marrying for our great grand children (General Laughter). That is how God blessed our union. We give Him all praises.
fact we are now marrying for our great grand children (General Laughter). That is how God blessed our union. We give Him all praises.
Is the Former U.N Ambassador a
temperamental person?
temperamental person?
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| The Late Maitama Sule on a foreign assignment in the 70s for Nigeria |
You
mean my husband?
mean my husband?
Yes ma
(Laughs)
He doesn’t get angry. Even if we have
disagreement and you think he is carrying it on his mind, by the time he returns, if you go meet
him and ask him about it, he tells you he can’t even remember. Like I told you earlier, my husband is a
person who doesn’t have time for little talk.
He is so large hearted that you can put anything in his heart. He is a gentle man to the core.
He doesn’t get angry. Even if we have
disagreement and you think he is carrying it on his mind, by the time he returns, if you go meet
him and ask him about it, he tells you he can’t even remember. Like I told you earlier, my husband is a
person who doesn’t have time for little talk.
He is so large hearted that you can put anything in his heart. He is a gentle man to the core.
How old are you now?
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| Dr. (Mrs.) Maryam Abacha with Ex-Kano First Lady, Hajia Binta Shekarau |
I
got married when I was fourteen. I am
now sixty five years old (laughter). It
was the tradition then to ensure the girl child marries early enough so that
she can also grow on with her children.
It is to enable you raise your children early in life. My husband is just seventeen years older than
his first daughter. He also married me
at a tender age.
got married when I was fourteen. I am
now sixty five years old (laughter). It
was the tradition then to ensure the girl child marries early enough so that
she can also grow on with her children.
It is to enable you raise your children early in life. My husband is just seventeen years older than
his first daughter. He also married me
at a tender age.
How old was he then?
|
| The Late Dan Sanmanin Kano as a Boy |
He
was actually nineteen years when he had his first child, a girl. That came through his first wife, I am his
second wife. I was fourteen when he
married me. He was then twenty seven
years old. So he was an early starter
likewise myself.
was actually nineteen years when he had his first child, a girl. That came through his first wife, I am his
second wife. I was fourteen when he
married me. He was then twenty seven
years old. So he was an early starter
likewise myself.
So what is the secret of your beauty?
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| Hajiya Hadiza Maitama Sule (R) with Daughter & a Friend |
Simple,
I don’t put my mind on worldly things.
We are trained to be contented with what comes to us from God. Don’t rush your life, don’t expect too much,
be grateful for the little God gives you.
Don’t be too demanding. Just keep your peace and always count your
blessings. I am contented with what I
have; I don’t stress myself over what I don’t have. That is just the simple secret of my beauty.
I am contented person.
I don’t put my mind on worldly things.
We are trained to be contented with what comes to us from God. Don’t rush your life, don’t expect too much,
be grateful for the little God gives you.
Don’t be too demanding. Just keep your peace and always count your
blessings. I am contented with what I
have; I don’t stress myself over what I don’t have. That is just the simple secret of my beauty.
I am contented person.
Hajia, you will agree with me that today
the high rate of marriage break-up in our country is really getting
out of hand. Is there anything you can
tell young couples of nowadays?
the high rate of marriage break-up in our country is really getting
out of hand. Is there anything you can
tell young couples of nowadays?
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| Alhaji Abba Abacha with younger sister, Zainab |
Honestly,
it is unfortunate and I feel we have to talk about it. In our own days, there used to be real love,
what I call guaranteed love. But these
days, our young girls look out for money, cars, fast pay job and other secular
emoluments before they follow a man.
They don’t love anymore. They
just don’t have it in them. They love
the things of this world. In our own
days, we loved our husband and will do anything to follow and support
them. But today, all that is gone as our
young ones now follow money and material wealth instead of the man. It is becoming very difficult today, to find
a woman who can raise a family; it is so sad that both men and women now
compete for wealth and opportunities, it is so absurd.
it is unfortunate and I feel we have to talk about it. In our own days, there used to be real love,
what I call guaranteed love. But these
days, our young girls look out for money, cars, fast pay job and other secular
emoluments before they follow a man.
They don’t love anymore. They
just don’t have it in them. They love
the things of this world. In our own
days, we loved our husband and will do anything to follow and support
them. But today, all that is gone as our
young ones now follow money and material wealth instead of the man. It is becoming very difficult today, to find
a woman who can raise a family; it is so sad that both men and women now
compete for wealth and opportunities, it is so absurd.
Ma, do you think Western education also
contributed to this societal ill?
contributed to this societal ill?
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| Rhekia Abacha with hubby & Sister, Zainab |
Actually
education also contributed. But in most
cases, peer pressure is a factor. These
girls see a lot of flashy things of life and they want to get them at all cost,
they wouldn’t even mind what it will
take in as much as they can lay their hands on them. Cars, fat bank accounts,
houses have become their prerequisite for love.
They can’t stand and struggle with a man. All they care for is money, money,
money. But unfortunately, money doesn’t
bring happiness. It doesn’t bring happy
home. In our days we stood with our
husband through thick and thin. But nowadays, our young ladies want a comfort
zone. That is a bad omen for the
future. Yes Western enlightenment is
good for social development but it has also, in this regard added to the
problem of our marriage institution. I
am sad; it will get worse if we don’t talk about it. Our young women must know that marriage is
the last resort for a woman. God has
ordained it to be so. A woman must have
a crown over her head and that crown is her husband.
education also contributed. But in most
cases, peer pressure is a factor. These
girls see a lot of flashy things of life and they want to get them at all cost,
they wouldn’t even mind what it will
take in as much as they can lay their hands on them. Cars, fat bank accounts,
houses have become their prerequisite for love.
They can’t stand and struggle with a man. All they care for is money, money,
money. But unfortunately, money doesn’t
bring happiness. It doesn’t bring happy
home. In our days we stood with our
husband through thick and thin. But nowadays, our young ladies want a comfort
zone. That is a bad omen for the
future. Yes Western enlightenment is
good for social development but it has also, in this regard added to the
problem of our marriage institution. I
am sad; it will get worse if we don’t talk about it. Our young women must know that marriage is
the last resort for a woman. God has
ordained it to be so. A woman must have
a crown over her head and that crown is her husband.
How old is your husband?
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| Late Maitama Sule on his Last Trip to Aso Rock to meet Acting President Yemi Osinbajo |
He
is 80.
is 80.
Talking about the social decadence in
our marriage institution, what advice will you give our women folk as a mother
and veteran of the marriage institution?
our marriage institution, what advice will you give our women folk as a mother
and veteran of the marriage institution?
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| Senator Khaira Gwadabe with her Women @ The event (An Agent of Female Education) |
Our
girls should go into marriage for love.
Don’t look out for material wealth before you love him. If you truly love that man and he loves you
back, all your desire will come to you in the long run. If you can be patient enough to sit and
support the relationship, God will naturally bring you wealth and fame. He will answer your prayers. If you truly go in for love and you are
contented with what you have, you will be successful in the long run and my
advice will not stop with women alone; our men too have their own problem. Some men now go into marriages for what they
are going to get out of it. In fact the
big problem even comes from the men.
They are never satisfied with one woman.
They are even worst than the women. If you love a woman, go for
her. Don’t trade love, be firm, be
sincere and be loyal. Above all, don’t
dabble into relationships because of money.
girls should go into marriage for love.
Don’t look out for material wealth before you love him. If you truly love that man and he loves you
back, all your desire will come to you in the long run. If you can be patient enough to sit and
support the relationship, God will naturally bring you wealth and fame. He will answer your prayers. If you truly go in for love and you are
contented with what you have, you will be successful in the long run and my
advice will not stop with women alone; our men too have their own problem. Some men now go into marriages for what they
are going to get out of it. In fact the
big problem even comes from the men.
They are never satisfied with one woman.
They are even worst than the women. If you love a woman, go for
her. Don’t trade love, be firm, be
sincere and be loyal. Above all, don’t
dabble into relationships because of money.
Ma, can you say you regret not having a
Western education before marrying your husband?
Western education before marrying your husband?
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| Ex-First Lady, Dr. Maryam Abacha (A Great Friend of Hajiya Hadiza Maitama Sule) with a grand daughter by her daughter Gumsu Fadil-Bayero |
I
am not. My father was an aristocrat in
his days. He was very learned and had
the best of education at home and abroad.
But he disallowed us his female children from going to school. With that I am grateful to God because
everything those educated ones have, I have more. I am equal in achievement with them. I have no regret, everything the educated
ones has, I have achieved all. So why
should I regret? I don’t even see it as
a minus. I thank God for the way I am. I am fulfilled.
am not. My father was an aristocrat in
his days. He was very learned and had
the best of education at home and abroad.
But he disallowed us his female children from going to school. With that I am grateful to God because
everything those educated ones have, I have more. I am equal in achievement with them. I have no regret, everything the educated
ones has, I have achieved all. So why
should I regret? I don’t even see it as
a minus. I thank God for the way I am. I am fulfilled.
What is your father’s name?
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| City Portrait of the Late Elder Statesman, Dr. Yusuf Maitama Sule |
He
was a scholar. His name is Alhaji
Jubril Mei Lamba. He was well
read but he said we his female kids won’t go to school. He had his reasons and I don’t feel bitter
about it. All his male children went to
school but we didn’t. I have no regret,
absolutely.
was a scholar. His name is Alhaji
Jubril Mei Lamba. He was well
read but he said we his female kids won’t go to school. He had his reasons and I don’t feel bitter
about it. All his male children went to
school but we didn’t. I have no regret,
absolutely.
Thanks for talking to us.
Thank
you.
you.
(The Interview took place during the
wedding Nikkai of Rekiya, the last
daughter of late Head of State, General
Sani Abacha inside the Abacha
Family’s Gidado Road, Nasarawa GRA, Kano home)
wedding Nikkai of Rekiya, the last
daughter of late Head of State, General
Sani Abacha inside the Abacha
Family’s Gidado Road, Nasarawa GRA, Kano home)
