CCM: Tell us a little about yourself & life growing up.
Hon Zainab: My name is Zainab Buba Galadima. I'm originally from Yobe State,but was born in Maiduguri. I attended Maiduguri International School and then proceeded to Federal Government Girls College Bakori, in Katsina State. I went on to the United Kingdom for my A levels at Padworth college, Reading and then to the American Intercontinental University.I subsequently transferred to Regents Business School London and obtained a Ba(Hons) in International Finance & Accounting, as well as three Masters degrees in Information Technology Management, Business Administration, and Management & Leadership respectively. I also have a Bsc in Applied Accounting and is a member of Association of Certified Chartered Accountants. I came back to Nigeria in 2012, served at the National Assembly and immediately joined partisan politics.I ran for the office of Councillor Wuse Ward under Abuja Municipal Area Council and won elections on the 16th of March 2013. I got married to Ibrahim Yusuf on 26th of April 2013.
CCM: What/who inspired you to venture into politics?
Hon. Zainab: I've always been involved in activism and took part in a lot of activities in the UK and in Nigeria like the Save Nigeria Group, Occupy Nigeria, and the Ibori case. Also, my father Engineer Buba Galadima, has been a politician for so long it is only natural that I've grown up to be somewhat attached to politics. I have drawn inspiration from my father, General Muhammadu Buhari, and Senator Khairat Gwadabe. Their determination and commitment for a better Nigeria have always been my guide and I wanted to see how I could also contribute to bettering Nigeria.
CCM: What are the challenges you face at work?
Hon. Zainab: The challenges are numerous. For example, most people I represent do not understand that representing them is one of my biggest responsibilities,and the way local governments are ran in Nigeria permits little or no impact making. The system has been so abused that Nigerians have come to think every politician is just given money to share, and no one wants to hear the programs you have for them. Furthermore as a woman, you get looked down at and in some cases they even call you names. My life has been attempted four times, but Alhamdulillah it is all in the past. Some see me as a weak person because I look smallish and young, while others see me as a threat. We are not empowered or enabled to discharge our responsibilities. I believe however, that not making an impact, no matter how little,is detrimental to the whole system.
CCM: From all your experiences would you say the proverbial 'glass ceiling' exists?
Hon. Zainab: A glass ceiling is a political term used to describe "the unseen, yet unbreakable barrier that keeps minorities and women from rising to the upper rungs of the corporate ladder, regardless of their qualifications or achievements." I would say yes,it somewhat exists. However, I still believe women can genuinely reach the top with determination and hard work not barring obstacles. As it is now, people and societies are becoming more accepting so it won't take long before that jinx is broken.
CCM: What has kept you goin?
Hon. Zainab: My husband, parents, family and friends constantly encourage me. They see how much I want to do and the obstacles I encounter . I look at great people and understand that no matter how difficult it is, determination always yields achievement. Sooner or later, a day will come that I will touch people's lives they way I really desire to.
CCM: What do the words 'feminism' & 'empowerment' mean to you?
Hon. Zainab: Although I'm not much of a feminist, I believe women should be given a chance not because we are women but because we have something to offer. Men always bring up some women who have towed the path of corruption or mismanagement. My question is always "So before one woman does anything negative how many men have done worse?". There are a lot of brilliant and principled women that can do a lot better than men but are not given that chance simply because they are women. Yet these same women are left to be in charge of the child's upbringing. That's total hypocrisy because it means a woman is only good at the home-front but not in public affairs. People should be empowered that they may feel a sense of belonging, self esteem, respect and self actualization will in turn be achieved. A better and functional society can be achieved only if people are empowered and crime, corruption, unemployment are reduced,creating a peaceful society.
CCM: How have you used your experiences to impact other peoples lives?
Hon. Zainab: When I realized I couldnt rely on the Local Government for assistance, I saved up money and channeled it into programs that empowered people. It was difficult to reach everyone, but the little I did inevitably changed lives. Also, I pooled ideas and resources with my team to create a self-funded initiative called "The Councillors Office", where we have laid down programs to revolutionize the way Councillors represent their wards in Nigeria. One such program is the Resident Care Centre where residents can call in with community problems for the Council and/or Service Providers (such as PHCN, The Water Board, The Nigerian Police etc). Another example is the "Keep It Clean" campaign to tackle and inform on viruses such as Ebola, promote environmental sanitation and hygiene. We also embarked on promoting agriculture with a 10-hectare farmland donated by my father to assist local farmers produce raw materials.Our empowerment project borders on skill development where already domestic service providers are trained more on how to add value to their skills, thereby increasing their income and enhancing their efficiency and professionalism,and ultimately boosting the quality of their services. We try to push that every Councillor in the country adopts at least one of these policies yearly.
CCM: What other project/s do u have outside politics?
Hon. Zainab: I am one of the founders of the Muslimah Global Foundation, where we assist and support the distressed and less privileged through fundraising. Additionally, we help the sick in terms of their bills, sponsor children to school, build schools, provide relief materials to the internally displaced persons, initiate empowerment projects, provide drinking water in communities and many more. We have a group of inspiring and committed young ladies who find joy in giving back to the community. I am also part of another initiative called Adopt an Orphan where each member sponsors a child through school and also takes care of his/her well-being. I love estate development and interior design as a business and I own a tea and food restaurant called Tea and More here in Abuja. I really dabble into a lot of things
CCM: What are your hopes with this new era of change?
Hon. Zainab: My hope and prayer is for Nigeria to be great again. I want a Nigeria with dignity, where things work, where the youth are involved and empowered to be better citizens, where peace reigns, where there's equality, mutual respect and pride. I want a Nigeria with social justice, a Nigeria where anyone can be anything, where the son of a poor man can have access to whatever any citizen deserves, A Nigeria where dreams can come true, a country of peace and unity.
CCM: Any message to the youth out there?
Hon. Zainab: You are better than you think, you can be anything good and positive, you can be involved, you and I can be the change, you and I can be leaders of tomorrow, but we have to start today. You and I have to stand up for what is right and good and we have to be united. We mustn't be divided along religious or tribal lines. We can be the broom that sweeps the stereotype of everything negative about this country. It is our collective responsibility to restore the pride and dignity of our once great nation. Nigeria is for you & I so let's own it.