(154): Hadiza Gabon, Rakiya Moussa and the rest of us

By Muhsin Ibrahim

Hadiza Gabon is in the spotlight today. I find most of the criticisms of this Gabon's Room Talk Show amusing for three reasons. Just that you know, Rakiya Moussa, as a guest, emotionally shed tears when talking about her unrequited love experience. Some 'critics' blamed the presenter, Hadiza, for that.

1. Some of these critics don't know better about journalism ethics than Hadiza because they aren't journalists and have little or nothing to do with the profession. We just love bashing Kannywood people. They don't know how to do anything!

2. Talk shows like that don't have cut-and-dried rules. Gabon is a big fan of Ellen DeGeneres and her popular show. You don't have to be a journalist to host a programme like this. It's almost the same pattern globally.

3. The Internet has radically de-regularised journalism and changed entertainment industries and cultural production. Thus, even if there were rules guiding talk shows like Gabon's, she is free to violate them. Today's major concern is what sells better.

Why are we talking about this particular episode with Rakiya? Sensationalism, controversy, vulgarity, nudity, etc., attract our attention more than anything positive. I wrote about this issue before (see: https://bit.ly/40zzyjJ).

Rakiya Moussa (left) and Hadiza Gabon (right)

I sympathise with Rakiya. Her love story is not unique, however. There are way more weird stories out there. I recommend reading Stephen Grosz's The Examined Life: How We Lose and Find Ourselves. Still, I am glad she is – or seems to be – strong not to contemplate taking her life as others in her condition do.

Is Rakiya blameworthy?

You must not have a reason for loving someone. It's also very, very hard to stop loving someone. You can often only fight your heart to stop longing for that person or give up on ever having that person as your spouse – or partner. In sum, love can be hurtful.

You should not blame Rakiya for being in unrequited love. As it's said, our heart is boneless; thus, we cannot bend it the way we want.

For some reason or out of the blue, we sometimes wish someone were our spouse. But, as humans, we can never have it all fixed. Or have all our wishes granted. We are always hungry for more wealth, more knowledge, more or a better partner, you name it. We are greedy creatures.

Rakiya deserves our sympathy and prayers. Likewise, don't abuse the person – whomever he is – she adores that much. I am not sure if it's indeed her co-actor and singer, Hamisu Breaker. He, too, perhaps, wishes to love her back, but he may never be able to do so. Thus, instead of faking it, he stays strong to his heart. This is better for both. Being in a loveless partnership is excruciating.

Well, I have said enough on the topic, haven't I? I like it when Kannywood trends. People who pretend the film industry doesn't exist or doesn't deserve their attention soon become invested. Funny folks. :)