Tambari

A PUBLICATION OFF

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2018

a r t x E

Hansatu Zannah

Carrying on my husband’s legacy with grace and keenness Hi there!

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n this week’s edition of Tambari Extra, we have a lot in store for you. On the healthy living segment, we’re sharing easy ways for you to check your heart health and on the beauty segment, which lipstick is best suited for you.

Our cover personality this week is Hajiya Hansatu Zannah, the North

Central Coordinator of Future Assured, and the wife of the late Deputy Governor of Borno state, Zannah Umar Mustapha.

In her interview, she shares with us the experiences she has come across in the course of her humanitarian work, the hurdles she had to cross after the loss of her husband, and a lot more. Read her intriguing story inside.

Have a splendid weekend.

- Amina Alhassan

Call: 0818 7703733 or Email: tambari@dailytrust.com

CULINARY

Mouth-watering masa

LU X U RY L I V I N G

by HAFSAH ABUBAKAR MATAZU

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asa is a soft and fluffy rice cake from the northern part of Nigeria.The tasty delicacy pairs well with a hot and spicy soup to go with it. It is an ideal choice of food, most especially during the current chilly and rainy weather. Although the process may seem a bit daunting, after you take a bite, it will all be worth it.

INGREDIENTS 2 ½ cups of raw rice 1 ½ teaspoons of yeast

4 tablespoons of sugar 1/4 teaspoon of ground potash 4 tablespoons of cooked rice ½ teaspoon of salt DIRECTIONS Soak the rice overnight and blend to make a smooth paste.

Mix a cup of warm water and dissolve the sugar and potash to make a mixture. Add the yeast and stir. Set aside until the mixture becomes frothy. Stir into the rice mixture and add the cooked rice as well.

Enjoy the tranquility of a Japanese garden

by HAFSAH ABUBAKAR MATAZU

Cover the mixture and allow it to rise for at least four to five hours.

Adjust the salt to

your taste and stir before heating up the frying pan with oil and spooning the mixture in batches.

After three minutes, turn the masa over and allow the other side to cook. Serve while it is still hot.

Oxtail pepper-soup

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njoy this spicy and meaty soup with your masa. It is sure to tickle your fancy.

INGREDIENTS Oxtail 1 tablespoon of pepper-soup spice 1 onion(chopped) 3 garlic cloves(minced) 5 scotch bonnet pepper(grinded) Scent leaves(sliced) Seasoning cubes, to taste

DIRECTIONS Combine the oxtail, a cup of water and onions and cook. After 30 minutes, add all the remaining ingredients and cook until tender.

H

aving your own outside space where you can feel relaxed and have peace is what we all need. With a Japanese garden you can transform your space into a haven for you and your family to enjoy nature and its serenity.

Japanese gardens serve as the perfect place for reflection and meditation. Glamour and fanciness are put aside; instead you will enjoy natural elements such as artificial lakes, rocks such as gravel, bamboo, crawling plants and flowers, and stone steps. All of these elements combine to create a place rooted deep with Japanese culture of Zen. What makes it even more beautiful is the simplicity of it all, yet it pulls an aura of coolness and calm. It is also very easy to maintain, and you can choose to include a few fish in your lake for an extra ‘wow’ factor.

Spending time in such an aesthetically pleasing environment will help you in y drowning all your worries away and entertaining guests and family in a place of tranquility.

A Japanese garden is the exemplary and ultimate choice for an outdoor space that is functional and classy.

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HANSATU ZANNAH // CO V E R

‘Carrying on my husband’s legacy with grace and keenness’ Interview by HAFSAH ABUBAKAR MATAZU

Hansatu Zannah is the wife of the late deputy governor of Borno State, Zannah Umar Mustapha. She is also the coordinator of Future Assured, North Central zone. She hails from Plateau State but was born in Zaria, Kaduna State. She is the first child out of six children from the family of a naval officer, Binyaminu Goldben Koktuwa. The mother of three shared her story with Tambari.

Educational background I started at Navy Town Primary School, Ojo, Lagos.

From there, I went to the Federal Government Girls’ College, Kazaure, which used to be in Kano State, but now in Jigawa. I furthered my education at the University of Lagos, where I read Mass Communication. I always wanted to be a broadcaster. For the love of education, I had to go for my master’s degree in the same university.

Career I did my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme at Channels Television. While I was still in school I did my industrial attachment at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Channel 7. At Channels we were not treated like corps members; we were rather treated like workers. I got a lot of experience there. We gathered news, wrote stories and did interviews as well.

It was a place I really enjoyed. It was tasking but you achieved what you were looking for there. They wanted to retain me, but my husband wasn’t okay with it. He felt he would chase the money while I would take care of the home front. That was why I became a fulltime mum. It’s one of the most difficult, yet the best job in the world. He wanted me to further my education and do my doctorate, but I didn’t because of my kids. Being a mum is very rewarding, and I have no regrets.

I went into business after I lost my husband. Being a novice in the business sector and having been protected by the shell of my husband, I had to face the real world.

I didn’t know where to start from. I took over the one in Abuja and changed the name, but it took me two years to get on my feet. So I picked up the pieces and moved on, and that was how Her Excellency Aisha Buhari, the wife of the president made me the national coordinator of Future Assured, North Central zone. This is what is keeping me very busy now.

As the national coordinator of the North Central zone of Future Assured, what impact have you made so far?

The impact has been massive. A lot has been done in terms of medical outreach and screening, most especially in maternal, newborn and adolescent health, as well as issues related to education. The advocacy support knows no bound. We conduct screeningon women to make them conscious of diseases such as high blood pressure, breast and cervical cancer. The children are also not left out; they are de-wormed and given dental packages. We have also done trainings and skills empowerment. These are some of the things we do, and we have really made a difference.

Also, the North actually has the highest rate of malnutrition, mostly among women and children. To tackle this, Her Excellency gathered first ladies and trained them on maternal and child health issues, including nutrition. People think that nutrition is very expensive,but we try to make them understand that it is not. We educate them during our advocacy visits. Governors’ wives in these states are now championing the advocacy,especially in regard to nutrition in their zones.

What part of the project has been the most challenging?

The hardest challenge is balancing the political disposition with the technical output of what I’m expected to do. We are a development and non-governmental organisation serving the public. The world is expecting that we deliver things that arenon-partisan in our speeches, activities and disposition. But because of our political affiliation, a lot of times we are limited to how far we can go.And sometimes this work is misconstrued because perceptions of persons are different. People thinkwe are politically inclined, but that is not the case.

Because Nigeria is a very dynamic setting,people who have different political affiliations will not be willing to hear what we have to say since we are not in the same political circle with them, whereas Future Assured projects are for all Nigerians.

My most harrowing experience so far?

NEVER COMPARE YOURSELF WITH ANYONE BECAUSE THERE’S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE MOON AND THE SUN, THEY SHINE AT THEIR OWN TIME

Photo: Ikechukwu Ibe

There are so many. When we go for these medical outreaches you see so many peculiar cases. You see some cases that are just beyond comprehension such that you thank God for how lucky you are. There was one in Kano where a child was mutilated by her stepmother. The sight was horrific. We had to move her to Cedarcrest Hospital in Abuja. There was another one in Bauchi, where a woman was going blind because she never knew she had high blood pressure and diabetes. And she came from a very far place. We were beginning to pack up when she arrived. So we attended to her and gave her the drugs she needed. There was another girl in Zamfara who had a very big growth. Luckily enough, the governor’s wife was there.

We also informed Her Excellency and she said she would pick it up from there. There was another situation in Osun.

The lady had twins and there was nobody to help her. She was backing one and holding the other two and she caught our attention. We took the babies from her and gave her all she needed. But how would she be able to carry these things back home? She had no transport money to go back and she came from a faraway place.

So every state has its own. But some of the cases really stand out and move you a lot.

What more can Future Assured do in terms of empowerment?

A lot has been done in terms of skills acquisition, mentorship and training in many states. Also, the First Lady acquired over 40 rice milling machines for female

farmers. Over 500 youths also recently concluded their training on skills acquisition in various trades.A lot of families have been given rickshaws, sewing machines, spaghetti making machines and a lot more. And she is still doing more in terms of empowerment. The thing is that government can’t do everything for everybody. People that succeed are those who are willing to invest in themselves. So we are looking at more platforms to invest in youths; and the more resources we get, the more we will be able to invest in young people and women.

We are also looking at people in power to talk to the right people to see that things get done.

Challenges I faced after losing my husband I was married for close to 21 years, and for those years he was the one who did everything for me. Marriage favoured me. In as much as he was busy, he always created time for the family. We would go on vacations all the time. For that trip, he was meant to come and join us, but due to the amount of work he had, he couldn’t join us. On August 14, I spoke with him.

We talked a lot. He called around seven because we were in America and it was around 12 in Nigeria. He said he was going to sleep because he had a function to attend in the morning.

So that’s how we said our goodbyes, only for me to wake up in the morning and my sister reached me and said I had to come back, that my husband was really sick. I thought how I was supposed to just get up and get on the next flight back to Nigeria. Before I knew it, the next thing I saw on Facebook was that he was gone. I think that was the most shocking thing to ever happen to me. I was so devastated that I couldn’t believe it. By the time we came back, he was already buried. It took me almost two years to stand on my feet.

How I have remained strong for myself, my children and the people of Borno after the loss of my husband?

I have to stay strong because nobody will do anything for you. I had to start from somewhere. People you trust will fail you, and people would want to ride on your weaknesses. All the things I have faced continue to make me stronger. There’s a saying that, “If you fear Allah and keep your duty to him and rely on him, he will protect you from every evil, and he won’t allow anyone to have power over you.” There’s also a verse in the Qur’an that keeps me strong as well: “When you have taken a decision, trust in Allah.” Also, “When life throws lemon at you, you make lemonade out of it.” That has kept me going.

I look at my kids and realise that I’m now their mother and father.

For the people of Borno, his impact is being felt up till today because he was a man of the people, a grassroots politician.

He was principled and a man of integrity. He was all about the masses and working for the improvement of the masses.He was very generous; anything he hadwas distributed to the people.If he had like a hundred percent of anything, ninety per cent of it would go out to the people. He did not believe in amassing wealth, he believed in improvement and empowerment and touching the lives of the people. Up till today, people call me to tell me how he is greatly missed, especially now that politics is around the corner. The legacies he left behind cannot be overemphasized; you can’t talk about Borno politics and not name him.

Life lessons I always heard people say, ‘don’t trust anybody,’ but it didn’t resonate in me until I experienced it. So, never ever put your trust in a man, only in Allah. Secondly, never compare yourself with anyone because there’s a difference between the moon and the sun, they shine at their own time. Another one is, never make your current situation stop you from following your dreams. Tough situations don’t last, tough people do. Also, always make the moments you have with your loved ones worthwhile. You will never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory.

Most rewarding part of my career Putting smiles on the faces of the needy. The feeling alone gives me joy.

Growing up It was really fun. I’m the first child among five girls and one boy. My mum was a disciplinarian, and as the first child of the family, there was pressure and responsibility role at a very early age. My younger ones always looked up to what I did, so there was pressure on me and I was always on my toes. I never knew that the responsibilities were preparing me for the future.

My dad worked in Lagos, so I grew up in the barracks. Back then, your neighbour could discipline you. But nowadays, you don’t see such a thing. There was togetherness back then, such that where you came from wasn’t an issue. We all celebrated Christmas and Sallah together. These days, we don’t even know who are neighbours are.

Aspirations growing up I always wanted to be a newscaster; that’s why I read Mass Communication. I never got to become a newscaster, but I don’t mind, my kids are more important to me.

Fond childhood memories I was a very brilliant child, so I always looked forward for a new session. Every time I came home from school, I always had a good result - I always came first in my class. My dad would look at my result and ask me whatever I wanted, and he would get it for me. Back then, there was a pair of shoes called Cortina,

TAMBARI SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2018

25

HANSATU ZANNAH // CO V E R

SOCIETY NEWS Compiled by HAFSAH ABUBAKAR MATAZU

Ben Bruce celebrates 40 year anniversary with wife

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and a box I always wanted. I was a daddy’s girl.

Joys of motherhood The joys of motherhood can’t be overemphasized.

From the moment you get pregnant, to childbirth, holding your newborn, to when they become toddlers, teenagers and adults, there’s a joy you can’t explain. When we were going for his graduation, he said, “Mum, you are even more excited than I am.”

And I told him that I prayed that he experienced its joy as well.When I look at my kids, I say Alhamduilillah.

Most cherished attribute of my husband There are so many, but I’ll list a few. He was Godfearing, hardworking, caring, loving, fearless and humble. He was generous to a fault. He was a fantastic father and husband. He was one in a billion. People like him are rare.

Most cherished gift from him My husband had given me a lot of gifts. He spoilt me. He gave me gifts that even money can’t buy. We went to Saudi Arabia for Umrah without the kids. We shared the same birth month; and we’re just a day apart. I usually prayed for him on his birthday.

Because we were in Mecca I never expected anything. I went to pray, came back and I saw the bed scattered with petals and a heart in the middle.

I screamed and the look on my face was priceless. I still have a picture of what he did till date. So every time my birthday comes, I remember that day. It’s a priceless memory.

Top five things on my wish list To open a foundation in honour of my husband so that widows and orphans would be taken care of. My mum was a widow and I never knew the gravity of what she went through until I became one too.

My second wish is to see my children excel in whatever they are doing in life.

Thirdly, I would like to expand my business and have branches all over the country. I want to be a force to be reckoned with.

I also want to leave a legacy behind. I want my name to be written in gold as somebody who inspired and touched the lives of people positively.

Finally, I want to be able to continue from where my husband stopped - to give what my husband gave my kids too.

Favourite music on replay I love listening to Alicia Keys and Davido.

First app I check in the morning/bedtime After praying, I check my emails. At night, the last app I check is WhatsApp. Favourite fashion items My sunglasses; you can never catch me without my shades. I also love veils because it compliments my dressing. I also like my rings, bags and wristwatches.

Flats or heels?

You will never find me in flats, despite my height.

I’m a heels person anytime, any day.

What I wouldn’t be caught wearing Anything inappropriate.

One thing I cherish so much that I can’t let go After I had my first child, my mum gave me an Islamic cassette of prayers. Till date, for 21 years, I still listen to it every morning, after my prayers. I even made copies so that I would have one in my car and

all my houses back then when I was shuttling between Maiduguri, Lagos and Abuja. I cherish it a lot.

Favourite travel destination I love France. There’s this serenity about Paris. And I went there with my husband a lot. I have a lot of memories there.

How I relax When I’m tensed, I just pray Qur’an. I always watch TV and drink tea while enjoying a movie. I also go to the spa.

Favourite quote “Destiny can only be delayed, but it can never be changed. What will be will be.”

Favourite food I am a seafood person, but also love amala and ewedu. I can eat it in the morning, afternoon and night.

Definition of style Style is being unique and stylish in your own way.

Be comfortable in what suits you.

Favourite fashion designer Odeva, TeeCee, Reedas, Gimbiya Atelier, Castle Atelier and DZYN. Favourite perfume, bag and shoes Chanel No5, Clive Christian and Arabian ouds. For bags I like Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Gucci. For shoes, Renee Caovilla and Gucci.

Mum’s advice that stuck over the years “Always be patient,” What will be, will be,” “Allah does not burden one with what he can’t cope” and “Behind every cloud, there’s a silver lining.” She also always told us to be givers because there’s joy in giving.

I tell my children the same thing.

Favourite colour Red, purple, royal blue and white. For car, I love Mercedes. I love playing lawn tennis and watching football. I like cold weather.

Favourite day of the week Friday. It’s the best day to worship.

Role model(s) My parents. My dad died and we moved from Lagos to Jos. My mum took care of six kids with the peanuts she was earning, so I draw strength from her. All of us are graduates, thanks to her. My dad made me stand up and take responsibilities. Another role model of mine is Her Excellency, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, for being a strong woman and giving me the opportunity to serve humanity on a larger scale. I will forever be grateful for that.

Beauty routine I don’t wear makeup all the time, only when it is necessary. You need to allow your face to rest. I wash, scrub, moisturise; and from time to time, I go to the spa for facials and hammam. I always use sunscreen too.

Looking back, what I would tell a younger me I would tell her never to take anything too seriously.

Take things as they come. I worried a lot, but now I’ve learnt not to.

Advice for women Know what you want, set goals for it, work towards it, pray for it and the sky will be your limit. Even if you are married to a billionaire, be productive. Life is uncertain. That you are working doesn’t make your husband less a man.

enator Ben Murray-Bruce, founder of the Silverbird Group, celebrated his 40-year anniversary with his wife, Evelyn MurrayBruce.

He shared a sweet message for his wife celebrating their day where he wrote, “Celebrating 40 years of marriage to the love of my life, my one and only wife, Mrs. Evelyn MurrayBruce. I love you to the moon and back. I have never and will never look to my right or to my left. I will always look to you the most beautiful girl in the world.

Happy anniversary!”

We wish them a continued life of bliss and happiness.

Omoni Oboli starts school at Oxford ctress

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OmoniOboli has returned to school at the prestigious Oxford University in the United Kingdom.

She shared a photo of herself seated in class where she captioned the photo saying, “It’s Oxford! I’m committed to living my best life now! Sometimes we let our hair down in Dubai, sometimes we sit in class in Oxford! Loving Saïd Business School.”

The furthering of education comes as part of the African Leadership Institute Tutu Fellowship and has produced some of the best business owners globally.

Congratulations to her!

Temi Otedola graduates from University College, London

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esigner and daughter of oil magnate, Femi Otedola, Temi has graduated from the University College, London with a degree in History of Art. The graduation ceremony was attended by her father, mother and partner, artiste Mr Eazi.

Mr. Otedola expressed how pround he was by sharing a snapshot of the event and said, “My baby angel is graduating today! JTO is about to take over!

Papa is proud.”

TAMBARI SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2018 JULY 7, 2015 TAMBARI

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B E AU T Y

TRENDS STYLE FASHION

Matte, creamy or glossy; which is for you?

by HAFSAH ABUBAKAR MATAZU

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our face beat is never complete without finishing off the look with a lipstick or gloss. Oftentimes we are faced with the decision of which formula to go for that would flatter you the most. Factors such as the shape of your lips, the occasion and texture of your lip all play a role in defining what lipstick is for you. Whether it is matte, creamy of glossy, we are helping you decide which will work best for you.

If you are confident with your lip shape and would like to show it off, then a bold matte lipstick should be your go-to choice. It has a dramatic effect that draws attention and looks very chic and sophisticated. Matte lipsticks are the best option for when you are stepping out for a formal event or simply won’t have the time to touch up your makeup. A good matte lip won’t too budge. So if you are a daring diva, it is best you stock up heavily on a few versatile shades of matte lipsticks.

Creamy lipsticks are for those who don’t want to look edgy, yet still want a look that accentuates their lips nicely. Matte lipsticks are also notoriously hard to apply. But for creamy formulas, a mistake can easily be rectified. If you are a fan of bright hues, such as pinks and corals, then creamy lipsticks are for you. It is not too soft, yet at the same time,

Dr. Nathaniel Adewole,

MOBILE: 0803 8039182 EMAIL: nadewole2013@gmail.com

FAMILY PLANING AFTER MULTIPLE CAESAREAN SECTIONS I have had three Caesarean sections. During the last operation, I told the doctor to tie my tubes. I am just thirty one years old. Please what type of family planning can I do? Halima Sometimes, when the request for tubal ligation is made either during labour or during preparation for Caesarean section, the doctor might be reluctant to do it. This is because the decision was made under tension and there may be regrets later.

Since you have three kids already, and with many years of reproductive time left, you will benefit from a long acting Contraceptive method. Options will include intrauterine devices (IUD) and implant or implanon. Factors that may influence the method of choice include previous history of irregular bleeding, medical conditions like hypertension and recurrent headaches. In case of the latter, hormonal medications should be avoided. You have to check your BMI, your BP and other parameters to determine appropriate method.

Kindly go to the nearest family planning centre for counseling .

GOITRE AND PREGNANCY

it also l adds dd a subtle btl and d attractive tt ti sheen to your lips.

For those who are prone to dry and chapped lips, glossy lipsticks are for you. They are highly nourishing ad hydrating, so you won’t have to worry about flakiness. Also, glossy formulas draw attention to the curves of your mouth and give it

a ffuller eff ll and d bigger bi ffect. So S if you have thin lips, glossy lipsticks are the answer to your problems. It is the easiest to apply and a good swipe is more than enough to get the job done.

With additional information from the internet

DID YOU KNOW... THAT LIPSTICKS USUALLY EXPIRE AFTER TWO YEARS?

H E A LT H Y L I V I N G

Easy ways to check your heart health

by HAFSAH ABUBAKAR MATAZU

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he condition of your heart is absolutely crucial for a longer survival rate and healthy life.

Although visiting your doctor regularly is the best way to determining how healthy your heart is, there are also ways in which you can monitor how your heart is doing by yourself.

According to Dr. Nathaniel Adewale of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, monitoring your blood pressure is a big telltale sign of how your heart is doing.

High or low blood pressure is serious ailment that should be treated with care.

If you feel that your blood pressure is too high, going to the doctor for more tests is ideal.You can do this by monitoring your heart by doing a heart rate reading or taking your pulse. You can do this by checking the pulse at your wrists.

Have you checked your cholesterol levels recently too? The foods we eat play a major role in how our heart performs. Fatty, oily foods and red meat are the main culprits of this. If you know you have a high cholesterol level, chances are that your heart isn’t in the best shape it should be.

If your day to day activities also take a toll on you, such as shortness of breath or clutching your chest, then once again, you need to recheck how your heart is doing. Walking up the stairs, walking or running a

TAMBARI SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2018

few errands shouldn’t have you panting if all is well.

Finally, sore and swollen legs and feet, sleep apnea and regular palpitations are all symptoms that you shouldn’t ignore. Keeping track of your heart health and knowing when it’s time to visit the hospital and making the necessary adjustments just might save your life.

With additional information from the internet

I was diagnosed of goitre in 2016 and the doctor said I have to be operated. Is there no other alternative? Can I still conceive and have children? I am twenty eight years old. Mariam, Kaduna.

Goitre is a disease of the thyroid gland. It can be due to excessive production of thyroid hormone otherwise known as hyperthyroidism or due to underproduction otherwise known as hypothyroidism.

It can manifest with obvious swelling in the neck, excessive sweating, palpitations among others symptoms. Treatment depend on the type of goitre, the degree of swelling and complications from the swelling. Management could be medical, surgical or a combination of both. I will suggest you see a consultant surgeon for proper evaluation and advice.

There are some that can be treated with drugs while others will require operation.

Concerning conception, it is possible to conceive despite goitre but appropriate treatment must be instituted to avoid unwanted effects on the mother and the baby.

Let me mention that people with goitre may have hormonal imbalance which may affect fertility.

DELIVERING A MACROSOMIC BABY I am thirty two years old and this is my first pregnancy. My doctor asked me to do scan recently and the weight of the baby was 4.3kg. He then told me that an operation would be necessary.

Can’t I deliver by myself? What will happen if I do operation now, does it mean I will be delivering by Caesarean section from now on? Please doctor I am confused, I don’t want an operation.

For a nulliparous woman, that is a woman who has not delivered before, I will not advise vagina route for a macrosomic baby, that is a baby weighing more than 4kg. Remember the ultrasound fetal weight is an estimation it can be more that that or less.

We have discussed several times in this column that the fact that your baby was delivered by operation does not mean subsequent ones will be by operation too.

I will suggest you listen to the advice of your doctor.