Ado Ahmad Gidan Dabino, MON is a Nigerian Hausa language writer,[1] author, publisher, journalist, film producer, director and actor.[2] He wrote for about three decades on various topics and has published fifteen novels. He was awarded with the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) honor on 29 September 2014 by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.[3][4]
Early life and education
Gidan Dabino was born in 1964 at Danbagina of Dawakin Kudu local government area of Kano State. He started his informal education from his father and then went to Zangon Barebari where he learnt the Quran. He obtained a professional diploma in Mass Communication from Bayero University Kano.[5]
Career
Gidan Dabino is the CEO of Gidan Dabino International Nigeria Ltd, a multimedia and marketing consultancy firm based in the ancient in Kano since 1990. He was assistant editor/distribution manager of Zamani a Hausa Magazine in 1997. He was also editor and publisher of Mumtaz magazine in 2000. In 2004 he was Editor-in-Chief of Hantsi Magazine under the Kano Chief Bureau Community; the newspaper that aimed at promoting reading and writing in indigenous language. From 2012 to date he is Contributing Editor of Muryar Arewa, a monthly Magazine of the Northern Communication and Media Service LTD.[6][7]
Nemesis (Translation of Masoyan Zamani), Published by Gidan Dabino Publishers Enterprises, Kano. 1995 ISBN978-214905-5
Kaico!, Published by Gidan Dabino Publishers Enterprises, Kano. 1996 ISBN978-214933-0
Duniya Sai Sannu, Published by Gidan Dabino Publishers Enterprises, Kano. 1997
Malam Zalimu, (A Hausa play and winner 1st prize prestigious award of 2009 Engineer Mohammed Bashir Karaye Prize in Hausa Literature), Published by Gidan Dabino Publishers Enterprises, Kano. 2009
Dakika Talatin Published by Gidan Dabino Publishers Enterprises, Kano. 2015 ISBN978-808215-7
Film-making activities
Gidan Dabino is one of the pioneers credited for the establishment of the Hausa film industry in Northern Nigeria known as Kannywood. He wrote the script for multiple Hausa movies, produced and directed some. He also appeared as main character in In da So da Kauna (1995), an adapted film from his own novel of the same name. His recent film, Juyin Sarauta was the most awarded Hausa movie for the year 2017 and 2018.[9] He appeared as Sarki Yusufa of Jadarwa. He won two awards of best actor and one nomination.[10]
Filmography
Year
Film
Role
Actor
Producer
Writer
Director
1994
In Da So Da Kauna 1, 2 and 3
Yes
Yes
Yes
1998
Kowa Da Ranarsa 1 & 2
Yes
Yes
1999
Cinnaka
Yes
An Ci Moriyar Ganga
Yes
Sandar Kiwo
Yes
Yes
Mugun Nufi
Yes
Karshen Makirci
Yes
2000
Muktar 1 & 2 Producer
Yes
Kadaran Kadahan
Yes
Kyan Alkawari
Yes
Kana Taka
Yes
2001
Ki Yafe Ni 1& 2
Yes
Sarka
Yes
2002
Juhaina
Yes
Asiya
Yes
2005
Tsautsayi
Yes
2006
Wahami
Yes
2016
Juyin Sarauta
Yes
Yes
Awards
The following are among the awards received by Gidan Dabino:
Best Actor in Leading Role: Amma Award Season 5, 2018[11]
Nominee, Best African Actor: Zuma Film Festival, 2017[12]
Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) in recognition of his outstanding virtues and in appreciation of his services to contributions to the country, Nigeria. 2014[3][13]
Award of Honour in recognition of efforts and outstanding contributions toward uplifting Hausa Literature. 2013