Watching Hannatu Musa Musawa’s interview yesterday was such an enlightening moment. In her, you could see the highest and purest manifestation of the Pulaaku ethos of Hakkille and Neɗɗaaku.
She is obviously beautiful, so there is no need to dwell on that feature of her personality. But I was wowed by the poise, grace, and ladylike politeness with which she expressed herself, using relatable words and avoiding debatable chords.
Even if you were on the other side of the political spectrum and she spoke of your chances as not being the best, you could not take offence because she says it with such grace and charm, while enthusing about your other great qualities that her charisma would overwhelm whatever discomfort her assessment of your chances may have aroused in you despite your schisma.
And her understanding of the almost existential attitude with which the Hausa and Fulani people of the Northwest approach politics is commendable.
As one who has lived in that axis, I can corroborate what she said. The power of that zone is that they have evolved over centuries as a people who are easily led, understanding the headship principle and how to follow their leader, irrespective of their emotions towards whoever God, in His infinite wisdom, throws up as their primus inter pares.
And do not let their insistence on keeping their own culture fool you into thinking they are backward or do not understand you or the world around them.
Their sense of self-awareness and awareness of others is so well honed that it can be deadly effective, because they exist within borders peopled by cultures that are mostly self-aware and want to be understood without even the most cursory attempt to understand others.
They adapted Western culture, unlike most others in the Nigerian project who adopted it. They chose which aspects of it they wanted, such as the radio as a non-invasive, non-coercive means of communication, and a hierarchical, echelonic social structure with a place for every class of society, much like the English royalty, gentry, and commoners. So they are both sophisticated and simple—a very dangerous but effective combo.
That combination is briefly encapsulated in a 1964 quote by Sardauna Ahmadu Bello, who, when asked if he would accept the office of Prime Minister if it were offered to him, said:
“I would rather live here amongst my own people and carry my traditional title than an imported one.”
But back to the Honourable Minister Musawa.
If she were from a culture where such was permissible, a Nigerian would still have been the first Black African to win the Miss World pageant, but it would not have been Agbani Darego!
That lady is the very personification of breeding, refinement, and elegance. Watching her, you felt like Lady Diana had gone to finishing school in heaven and returned to Earth to manifest as Miss Hannatu.
The triple Bs were on full display during her Mic On appearance: Beauty, Brains, and Breeding.
I hazard a guess that if President Tinubu gives her a role in his re-election campaign team, millions of votes would come his way just because of the sway she would have with the electorate.
She should do this more often. I don’t know how she does it, but her interview with Seun Okinbaloye had me and many Nigerians, some of whom have given me feedback, eating out of her hands.
Reno Omokri
Gospeller. Deep Thinker. #TableShaker. #1 Bestselling author of Facts Versus Fiction: The True Story of the Jonathan Years. Hodophile. Hollywood Magazine Humanitarian of the Year, 2019. Business Insider Influencer of the Year 2022. 21st Most Talked About Person in Africa, 2024.
