Hadiza Aliyu

Hadiza Aliyu (born 1 June 1989), also known as Hadiza Gabon, is a Nigerian actress and filmmaker who appears in both Hausa and English language films. She serves as an ambassador for MTN Nigeria and Indomie noodles. Aliyu was named best actress at 2013 Best of Nollywood Awards and won at the 2nd Kannywood/MTN Awards in 2014. She is the founder of HAG Foundation. Quotes First, when I came to stay with my sister in Kaduna, I already had a diploma in French. I did not come here to waste my precious life, and as such, I contemplated continuing with my studies up to degree level, but I discovered that only few institutions here offer French courses. I have this desire to set up an NGO and help the less privileged especially Gabonese nationals that are staying in Nigeria that are poor. Basically, I want to be a diplomat and an ambassador of my country, but I had financial limitations; therefore, I decided to join Kannywood to raise money and establish myself as a business woman, get married and settle down permanently in Nigeria. Well, honestly, I did not have it easy, but because I also wanted to act in Kannywood and I must speak Hausa fluently because there are some words or terminologies in film script or interpretation that one can find it difficult to adopt if your Hausa is not good, I went to Kano and stayed briefly with H.R.B., the popular Kano-based film producing company, to learn Hausa and also to appear in films from time to time. However, I did not make any impact and so I left, and later Ali Nuhu assisted me and linked me with Yakubu Lere, the chief executive officer of Lerawa Films. In 2010, he featured me in his famous and popular film, Wasila. Before then, in 2008, Ishaq Sidi Ishaq gave me a role in a film called Artabu where I featured alongside popular actors and actresses, but I faced a lot of challenges even as I did my best not to be intimidated. Well, today I can mention four to five films that made me not only a household name, but that has also fetched me a fortune. The one is Babban Zaure; that film as far as I am concerned is still my best. Some people were not happy when I was given a lead role in that film. Then there were Basaja, Gwaska, Yar Maye and Mijin Biza. These films were so successful in the market that they also gave me the financial resources to also invest in other films. I am very proud of my roles in Yar Maye and Basaja where I was given the task of arresting an international fraudster; a role played by Adamu A. Zango. The film took us to Niger Republic and Ghana and other countries. As we speak, by the grace of God, I have performed lesser Hajj (Ummrah) several times. I have also performed Hajj. I now have where I can call my own, I mean my own house. I have good cars to ride; I have a very big boutique on Waff Road, Kaduna. My prayer now is to get married and settle down and have children because as a 32-year- old woman, I am not growing younger. If you are talking of those I admire their acting skills, honestly, they are many. Initially, I prefer to always mention Aminu Sherrif Momoh, but over time, I discovered that we have a lot of other talented actors and actresses in Kannywood. Let me mention some and those that I will not be able to mention here should know that I also like their acting skills. Those whose skills I admire most are: Aminu Sherrif Momoh, Ali Nuhu, Adam A. Zango, Sadiq Ahmad, Nuhu Abdullahi, Sadiq Sani Sadiq, Ibrahim Mai Shunku.