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Well, as a special adviser on tourism, I am settling down, coming to grips with the challenges of the job. We can’t say we have achieved a lot, but we have made a lot of strides. I have tried in my capacity to advise the governor on areas where we are supposed to make some impact in this government. Because tourism is a new area. Instead of relying on oil alone or agriculture, if we focus our attention on tourism, we will be able to generate a lot because it is also a very big revenue earner. And so far, we have been able to assist the commissioner and the team in the ministry of culture and tourism to give them advice so that we can achieve what we have set out to achieve.

What are the tourism attractions in Kaduna?

In particular, the tourism sites which are important include Kangimi dam, the forest reserve in Birnin-Gwari, the Kagoro hill resort being planned, the Nok culture, the water fall in Jama’a local government area(matsirga) and also there is a tourism attraction which is being developed in Zaria. Durbar is a very good area of tourism, because it attracts a lot of people who are interested in coming to watch. It is going to be turned into not only a ceremonious or eventful thing, but also a tourism attraction; whenever there are groups of people visiting Nigeria they can come and durbar can be organised for them. So, there are areas of tourism that are being developed. Even our Gamji gate here is being developed fully into a tourism attraction; where people from other areas can come. The playground, the fish pond, the canoe they can paddle in to the other side of River Kaduna. These are being harnessed and developed. I know that the process is still going on, like in the Kagoro game resort where consultants have been engaged to work on the different areas to come out with a perfect plan to produce desired tourist attraction areas. Actually, the commissioner is helping us to develop the team in the ministry of culture and tourism especially the tourism department, which has done a lot of work and are still doing more. And we are here to support what Governor Namadi Sambo is doing and whole-heartedly we have tried our best to support the tourism ventures all over the state.

How committed would you say the governor is towards boosting tourism in the state?

One thing I know is that Namadi Sambo has special interest in most of the developmental areas in the state. Especially tourism; he has special interest because recently, he traveled to Germany together with the commissioner on the issue of archeology, the Nok culture thing. How they would develop it into an international research place for archeology. So, I know he has very solid interest in tourism just like he has in education, health, agriculture; he wants to develop Kaduna as a whole, not developing one sector and ignoring another. What Arch. Namadi Sambo is trying to do is to give total commitment to Kaduna state so that every sector, women, youth and what have you will feel the impact of what he is doing. And in that same vein, he also wants every sector of the state – health, agriculture, tourism, education, economic, developmental structures, in trying to develop the new Kaduna city. He’s trying to do so many things at once. So, Sambo’s administration is trying to make a good impact on every sector of the economy.

Are the state’s tourist attractions receiving a boost in the preparation for the upcoming “KADA Games?”

Aha, for the forthcoming games, utmost utilization of the attractions is being made. We’ve an arrangement whereby athletes would at their leisure time go and relax and view what is being showcased. Now that they are trying to improve on new areas which are nearby, and can be visited. The ministry also, through the commissioner for culture and tourism has organized different groups and tourist guides who would take people round to visit these places and relax during their leisure time. The details on ground, I am not really sure about, but I know preparations are being made on that. May be you can get more details on that.

How long have you been in politics?

I joined politics in 1991-1992.Specifically I was in the SDP. I was elected from Kaura constituency and I came to the state assembly then. The governor then was Alhaji Mohammed Dabo Lere (may his soul rest in peace). That was the beginning of my politics. But before I joined politics, I worked closely with women and youth groups when my husband was chairman of Jama’a local government and that built my interest in community development and participation and so on. And from there I rose to become member of the state assembly and by God’s grace the minority leader of the house, then SDP, NRC. You know in those days, NRC had the majority so, we were in the minority, but we were a very strong minority. That was the beginning of my full political participation. Right after, I went to the House of Representatives 3-4 years later when the PDP was formed. We were at the foundation laying of the party. Then, I went back to the House of Representatives after I was elected again from Kaura constituency this time around. I went to the house and became the chairman, committee on women and youths. I served only for four years. I tried to go back after then, but that was not possible and since then I have been in the government of Kaduna state, first as senior special assistant, and now as special adviser to the governor on tourism. So we have been in the system for quite long and thank God. so far, we have been able to partake in the campaign of then Makarfi, two times. So we are already part of the government of PDP in Kaduna state. During Dabo Lere we were also given some responsibilities, which we carried out to the best of our ability. And now by God’s grace, I am the special adviser to Governor Namadi Sambo on tourism.

Having been in politics for some time, including being a member of the House of Representative, how would you describe your experience?

My experience as a woman politician, I want to let you know my young lady that, women experience different things in politics than what men do. I always tell women who are aspiring to go into politics, especially young women that, when you want to go into politics you have to be very strong. You must be ten times stronger than the men. You must be strong physically, spiritually, psychologically. I found out that my experience as a politician if I wasn’t very strong and determined I would have been discouraged since. I wouldn’t have gone out twice. But I found out that the more committed and determined you are, the more you get to where you want to get to as a woman. If not, comments like “she’s a woman,” “she’s not going to make it,” “they are the weaker sex,” “she’s married, her husband or family are not supporting her” and things like that, you will hear an opponent or a person telling lies about you. Or they will be calling you names: you are a flirt, you are not a proper mother and things like that,you know, very degrading and discouraging statements. So you have to be determined. I was able to go through because of my determination and my husband’s support to help me get to where I was and I am today. First to the house of assembly and then to the house of representatives, and I really thank God for the support of my husband and his understanding and also my family’s. Because when my children were growing up there were many challenges. So, it really needs a woman who is a total woman, because when you are a total woman, you will always balance the equation between your children, your husband, your home responsibilities and the political field. These are challenges you just have to face. Because at the time opportunities will be opening for you politically, one child may be sick, one day you are in the hospital, tomorrow you are out. Another day there is a big challenge in the political field and your husband says he needs your attention, of course, one has to choose. It has not been easy at all, but I am telling you that once a woman is able to handle those challenges and see what goals and vision she has, you will be able to achieve much, with God on your side. You can’t do it alone. The challenges are too much for you as a woman, so you have to be Godly, be prayerful for things to work out fine for you both at home and at work. The second big challenge is the resources. The resources, because all these political movement, if you don’t have money, you don’t get anywhere at all, because all those who support you for the election, if you don’t give them anything, they will complain that “ah tana so ta ci zabe amma bata sake hannu.” All these things are challenges you will face.

The third and greatest challenge is your opponents. Because you are doing things whole- heartedly.,but they are there doing nothing but to tell different stories about you, to spoil your campaign. When you say you are going to do this, you are going to empower women when you are on seat they will say it’s a lie. ‘What did she do when she was in the local government system,’ or like when I was campaigning for the house of representatives seat, they were looking at my performance at the state house of assembly where I performed well? And that gave me the courage to come out and contest for the National Assembly.

So, when they start saying such things that would defile you, with God on your side, you will be able to scale all those difficulties. Of course, your party will always give you support. The members will make sure that if you are the candidate after the primaries, the party will give you support. But again, before the primaries,if the party has five men against one woman, and then they will always support the men. So you as a woman have to find a way to convince them that your own candidature will give them an upper hand than the men, like I did when I was campaigning for the state house of assembly. There were six men against me, but I had to convince them that without the women we can’t win. The woman gave birth to the child and the woman can convince a child better than a man can, especially where I come from, where the women make a lot of impact in bringing up the child.

So, there are so many challenges for the women. And honestly, I want to encourage more women. I know that more women have come into politics since we started coming out. During our time, we were only two in the state assembly,but when we went to the house of representatives, I found that even from the north we had about eight women in the house,this is an improvement. And every year I find out there is more improvement in the participation of women. But I tell you, the challenges are many and they are still there and even the issue of religion. Most women who are Muslims they tell them that Islamically a woman cannot rule the men. I don’t know what the quotation is, but I know Saudatu Sani had a tough time trying to convince them that it’s not like that. If it were so queen Amina wouldn’t have been able to rule.

Generally, are you satisfied with the participation of women in politics?

Well, I am not really satisfied. But more women are coming now. I am not satisfied yet but I am happy. Women have met the challenges, women do come out now. When you call them for NGOs, workshops or any political rally or assignments given to them they take it seriously. That is why I am happy, that we are taking the right strides and steps, and by and large, in the next ten years it would be a different story for our women in Nigeria.

Are you running an NGO presently?

I’m in many NGOs. Initially, I was running an NGO Kagoro, our own local women association. I was the chairperson. That was what led me into politics.

How cordial is your relationship with your male counterparts?

I find out that my cordiality with my male counterparts is better than with the females. The women have this jealousy or rivalry instincts in them. I come all the way from Adamawa and I am here now working whole-heartedly. I just try to tell people to be happy and not take things too hard.

What is your view regarding the agitation for a state creation out of the present Kaduna state?

My view on the agitation for a southern Kaduna state is that, I feel it’s for development. Before, we had only the north, then some states and now we have more states. Before we were together with Katsina, but Katsina has now developed into a big state. If we hadn’t parted with them we still would have been squeezed up here. So I believe in development. I don’t believe because I can’t do something, and somebody is doing it, I feel angry, no, no, no. let him go ahead and do what he knows how to do best. So, if what the people of southern Kaduna want is a state and they believe they are ready, then let them go ahead. When it is time they would get the state. Because I remember when we were in the house of representatives that time Senator Aziz was our senator from the south, we made a move. I can remember we had few meetings when we started this movement, but you know movements like this cannot achieve a thing like that in four years. Movements like this can take years before they can materialize. So if what we started in 1999 to 2003, people have carried it, to try and achieve it then we wish them well. And also for the creation of a new state for progress and for development for the whole people of Kaduna state. Because you don’t know in which area you may end up staying because it doesn’t mean because you are staying in the northern part of the state today you won’t find yourself in another part. You can find yourself anywhere. So, it’s for development. And I think it is time for southern Kaduna state. I support it whole-heartedly.

Some months back, there were some leadership conflicts in the SOKAPU. What is your take on that?

I’m aware that there have been some problems with the leadership in SOKAPU for long. But you know, nothing good comes easy. SOKAPU is a good organization;I’m a member. But I know it would be sorted out very soon.It’s more like an internal problem but there’s nothing that cannot be overcome. It’s just a matter of time. I believe it should be sorted out.