Perspective

Hello people!

How was your weekend? I had this interview with Emmanuel Gabari over the weekend. Emmanuel is a KANO-based broadcaster cum musician.

He talked about his life, family, music career and so on. Enjoy

Can we meet you?

My name is Emmanuel Gabari.

Who is Emmanuel Gabari?

Emmanuel Gabari

Sometimes it is very difficult to describe who Emmanuel Gabari is, but let me try. He is a complete gentleman. A hardworking and multi-talented person. He is a broadcaster with Radio Kano FM, a musician, a reporter with Abuja based National Waves Magazine, a social worker, a motivational speaker, Master of Ceremony and lots more. He is from Oghara in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State. He is married with three children, two boys and a girl.

Can you describe a day in your life?

Are u asking about the most memorable day of my life? Or just how each day starts for me?

I have had many most memorable days in my life. One was the day I got married. The second was the day my first child was born and another was when I got a double promotion in my office. I’ve had so many memorable days.

Also for how a normal working day starts for me: I will say I work round the clock. I wake up in the morning, say my prayers with my family, prepare for work and face a busy day ahead. It’s either getting stories, news items, interviewing people for the magazine I write for, or doing media consultancy for others, or getting materials like CDs and information for the radio programs I present and then do my little business alongside other activities of the day. I tell you, it’s always a hectic time for me. But thank God am moving on.

What do you love about what you do?

What I love most about what I do is the satisfaction and values am able to add to other people’s life. When am on air presenting, people call to say how happy they are hearing me and also learning one or two things from what I say, that is so fulfilling. When young graduates and others looking for a job are able to get one courtesy of the few contacts that I have, that is also adding value to other people’s life. When I interview people and they eventually get to see it and read it on the magazines and newspapers that I write for, that is completely exciting for them. So you see, it’s a total package on its own and it gives me fulfillment to see others happy. Of course that is the beauty and essence of mass communication.

Your Educational Background?

I did my HND in Secretarial Studies from Katsina Polytechnic. I am currently doing my post graduate diploma in Mass Communication at the Bayero University Kano.

Did anyone ever tell you that you wouldn’t make it and how did you handle it?

Well, nobody has ever been able to tell me that, because I have always been a rugged and hardworking person from small. As a teenager, I was already working after school hours. I would sell T-shirts, packet shirts, sell fuel at the filling stations, and load bread for buyers at the bakery. I was doing a lot of things for myself as a small boy. So it never ever came to a point where anybody could tell me I wouldn’t make it because I was determined to make it. The only situation that really popped up was the financial aspects. Sometimes when I needed to embark on very capital-intensive programs or projects and the money wasn’t forth coming, it had a way of slowing me down and making me have the feeling I wouldn’t make it, but thank God for His mercies and grace. He always has a way of turning things around for my good. It’s been challenging but God has always been faithful.

What regrets do you have (if any)?

They are not regrets per se, but I wish I went to school early enough. I wish my mother was still alive, at least to see her beautiful and wonderful grandchildren. I wish I could get more opportunities to express my talents. I wish I could do more for our suffering youths and the less-priviledged. I wish I can move higher than were I am right now. But all the same, am grateful to God for where I am now, I believe things will get better!

You released your music album recently, what is your favorite song on your album?

My album is titled YOU ARE MY EVERYTHING. All the songs are my favourite because each song reflects on my struggles, my achievements, and my pains my gains. Each song addressed an issue or situation in life and how to get over it. So basically, all the songs in my album are my favourite.

Did you write all the songs on the album?

Yes. The album contains 8 tracks and I wrote all the songs.

What messages are you using your music to pass across?

When I write songs, I look at things from the angle of having gained a wealth of experience from my broadcasting job. I meet with people daily and interact with them. I know what they go through. A lot of people are suffering. Some do not even know when a new dawn will ever come. So my music is basically passing a message of hope, peace, love and perseverance. It’s generally a message to tell people to just be strong in times of challenges and hard times. I believe no matter how bad a situation is, some day it will fade away.

As a believer in the New Nigeria, what are your perspectives about the New Nigeria and Nigerians in the next 10 years?

I believe in Nigeria. It doesn’t have to be “old” or new”. I have always said that the “New Nigeria” won’t work or might have some hiccups, if the system is not right. There should first of all be a working system. When there are structures on ground, infrastructures and social amenities, even the “Old Nigeria” will thrive. Let’s not make sentiments out of issues. We know our problems and it’s only when we solve them that things can work out fine. The average Nigerian is not even looking for good roads, or manna from heaven. I personally believe that when there is constant light supply, affordable education, good health system and shelter, Nigerians and Nigeria will be better than what it is now. I attended a conference in Ghana and for the one month that I stayed there, there was not a single minute that light went off. Countries that Nigeria is richer than are thriving because they have structures on ground and their system is working. It is only when we put our acts together as a nation, then we can start talking about a new Nigeria or rebranding the nation. But first things first. How many parents can afford good education for their children? How many youths can access little funding for their pet projects or businesses? Haven’t you noticed that house rent is ever on the increase now? How many workers can comfortably pay for these high house rents? So you can see our problems go beyond Nigeria being “old” or “new”.

Nigeria is one of the countries tagged as a 419ers? what advice do you have for the Nigerian government to curb the menace and alternative ways for the Nigerian youths?

That was why I said early on that the government should strive to put structures on ground and also have a working system. Do you know that if we have constant light in our country, a lot of youths will go into barbing, dry cleaning, tailoring, livestock, and that will keep them off the streets and also make them productive? If parents can afford to give their children good education, a lot of youths won’t be engaged in 419 jobs.

What advice do you have for African youths looking to engage their passions?

Hit the road. Don’t ever stay idle. Don’t even sit back and wait to be discovered. Go out. Work on your passion. Always look for an opportunity to showcase what you can do. Most importantly, believe in yourself and have perseverance. Expect discouragement sometimes because it will surely come in one way or the other. But if you have a track record of being hardworking and you rely on God, your break through will come sooner than you expect. But remember, nothing good comes easy.

Your advice to the youths?

Let’s take our destiny in our hands. First and foremost, we must get good education. Good education is not only “higher institution”. Youths can learn skills or trade: carpentry, welding, technical skills, etc. If you don’t work, nobody is likely going to give you. Some youths complain there is no job but I believe they are only being proud and choosy. How many youths will sit under the tree and sell recharge cards? How many young girls will want to make a living (at least, in the time being), braiding or weaving hair? How many young people can work in a filling station? Our youths are too proud and lazy and it’s not good for us as a nation or as a people. Youths should begin to realize that help can only come when you start doing something. Even the Holy Books said he who is not ready to work, should not eat.

When are we expecting your book(s)?

Na wa o. Book ke? Where is the chance? I do about five jobs and am always on my toes each day. Even at night I work on my computer, transcribing interviews of people that I talked with earlier on, so I can send it to the media houses I report for. I think I prefer music, as in, writing songs to writing books. Music comes naturally with ease for me and that is why am working on my second album. It is 90% near completion and will be released very soon.

For more information about Emmanuel Gabari;

Please visit www.emmanuelgabari.com