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My biggest dream is to marry IBB,says Ummi Zee-Zee By
Aliyu Abubakar Askira BluePrint
Friday,
25 November
Ummi Ibrahim (a.k.a. Zee-Zee) is an A-class Hausa actress who
claims to be the girl former President Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi
Babangida (IBB) will marry – God’s willing. If Zee-Zee is to be
believed, then, the man who lost his wife two years ago has been
dribbled into a love corner by the young, beautiful Shuwa lady.
Zee-Zee has been selling the idea for months. Last year, she
told her Facebook friends that anybody who guessed correctly who
was going to marry her would get a cash reward of N100,000. And
true to her word, Zee-Zee was said to have paid the money to a
girl who fingered IBB as the potential groom.
In an interview with our correspondent, Zee-Zee responded to
some of these issues, especially her relationship with IBB and
how she made her money. Excerpts:
Ummi, how is life with you?
I am okay but always busy these days; if I am not in Lagos I
must be out of the country, running errands for my boss. These
days I handle most of his businesses, especially overseas
travels.
Who is that your boss? You said before the interview that your
boss owns Glo. Are you referring to IBB or Chief Mike Adenuga?
I will answer this in the course of the interview, but truly my
boss owns Glo; that is why you cant see me looking for the job
of Glo Ambassador. Whatever I want in the company I will get it.
I have passed the stage of collecting a work of N500,000 or
below; it means nothing to me.
You are planning to launch a 5-track music album. What is the
album all about?
Well, it is loaded with messages and it is in both audio and
video. I want my fans to see me live again. These days I am
scarce; I’m always in Lagos. My Hausa fans have missed me. The
album is for them. I am not interested in the sales money; what
I am after is to be in touch with my fans.
Why did you relocate to Lagos?
Good question, we have so many busy bodies in the north; at
times even the dress we wear people will look at it and imagine
the price, in Lagos you are on your own; nobody cares about you.
Didn’t you encounter accommodation problem in Lagos?
I did not go to Lagos by accident. I was fully prepared, and I
was not poor when I went there, so I did not encounter any
problem.
People believe you left Kano because your fiancé dumped you and
married your sister.
It’s far from the truth. In any case the lady he married is my
sister. We have since sorted out our differences, now if they
have problem I used to advise them. We have put that incident
behind us for good.
Sources said you have properties all over the country and you
are yet to clock 30 years, but you are rich. Why not marry?
God’s time is the best. I will marry when the time comes and I
pray that it will come sooner than later. But I am already
involved with somebody.
On Facebook you said you will marry IBB. Are you serious?
Yes, the man loves me and I love him too. He is everything in my
life; he is my boss, my father’s namesake, my hero and my
mentor. We love each other so much. It is not because of the
noise people are making or the fact that I put it on Facebook
that he delayed the marriage, no, there are things to be sorted
out first and if God decrees that I will marry him I will still
marry him.
How did the whole thing start?
It is God, but let me give you the background. Since when I was
a kid anytime I saw a story in the paper, magazine or even on
television about IBB, I used to feel as if I won an award. I
liked the man right from the time when I was younger and even
now that I am 24 years old. As I grew up, finished primary and
secondary schools and later read Public Administration in Bayero
University, Kano, I developed more passion for the man IBB.
Are you half-caste? You are cute and beautiful.
My father is Fulani and my mother is Shuwa Arab, both of them
are from Borno state. People are surprised about my relationship
with IBB beause I am only 24 years old, but the truth is that I
love him and he loves me. But there are some things about us I
cannot tell you.
The first day you met him in person, what did he tell you?
The most important thing is we met and we love each other. On
his relationship with me, let’s just say it is a secret.
When he celebrated his 70th birthday, what present did you give
him? And he said on the occasion that he was now ready to marry
again; are you the lady in question?
(Long laughter) I will not tell you what I gave him but our
relationship is like a parcel: allow IBB to open the parcel
first! What I can tell you is that everything is on course.
When did you see him last?
No, that is our secret, oga journalist!
When he lost his wife, what were the exact words you used when
you went to condole with him?
I prayed for the repose of her soul and I urged him to take it
easy because all of us will die one day.
He did not say if you replace her, he hoped you will take care
of his family?
At that time how could he start talking of replacement? Of
course, we spoke.
While in Lagos people saw you all over the place with Timaya. Is
he your lover?
I will not deny it; he was my lover. I was part of his band but
honestly we parted ways; we are no longer together.
Is it because you are planing to marry a more responsible
citizen?
(Laughter) No comment.
Ummi, can one safely assume that you suddenly became rich
because of your relationship with IBB?
Thank God for everything but I can’t remember when I got my
first one million naira. I am from a rich family. I remember my
father used to give us large sums of money when we were young to
share to our extended family. I am used to money. You also asked
about the N27 million stolen from my house; it is true the money
was stolen from our family house during a wedding; up till now
it is missing.
Hajiya Ummi, our paper is a respected medium, please, don’t
mislead us; how can IBB marry a Kannywood star like you?
Oh, God! What did you take me for? You people surprise me at
times. Before God all humans are equal except those that worship
Him most. Today, not only IBB, even if they tell you that I am
involved with King Abdallah of Saudi Arabia why should it
surprise you? IBB is not above me in terms of love. Remember, I
am a woman; we have our ways. Whoever sees me in flesh knows
that any man can die to have me as his woman!
IBB is not an ordinary person. Why did you expose your romance
with him on Facebook?
Remember, I am also a popular star for that matter, I have no
hiding place.
When are you coming back to Kannywood?
What or how much would they pay me (to act in a movie)? They
can’t pay me! Money is not my problem. Now I am busy. I am
always in Lagos but on weekends I used to stay in Kaduna and at
times go to Kano to see my parents and friends. But mostly I
move in tinted cars; you will only know me by my number plates,
reading ‘Zee-Zee 1,’ ‘Zee-Zee 2,’ 3, 4, 5... I have chains of
cars. I love automobiles.
You were once famous in Kannywood and suddenly you disappeared
into thin air. What happened?
I was introduced into Hausa film industry by one of my female
friends. My first manager was Ishaq Sidi Ishaq. I worked for HRB
Films. My first film was ‘Jinsi’.
How much was the first pay you got for your role?
I can’t remember. I was paid through my manager. It was too
meager.
You were once suspended from Kannywood for alleged immoral acts.
What really happened?
That episode is still paining me. One lady, Hiyana, did what
later embarrassed the industry and was suspended, and I was also
wrongly suspended. But I refused to go to court. God will one
day vindicate me.
I saw a duplex on Zoo Road, Kano, with an inscription, ‘Zee-Zee
Fashion and Boutique,’ on it. But it is yet to be put into use.
Is it yours?
Yes. I am into many things. I have lots of projects at hand. I
will even establish a state of the art studio in Kaduna, Kano
and Jos, to help Kannywood. I will also produce films. My album
is to be launched end of December and the video in January next
year.
Would that be after your marriage?
My brother, pray for me to marry IBB; it is my ultimate ambition
in life. Pray for me.
Th
This is the document referred to in the Witness
Statement on Oath of Clifford O. Kokogho as
“Exhibit
COK.2”
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