When next you see Shareefah Abiola Andu, the Chief Executive Officer of Arabel, an outstanding Islamic fashion, household items and books outfit in Ikeja, you will discover that she has a permanent wrinkle on her forehead, which she described as an aftermath of persistent search for knowledge ever since the outfit was berthed some years ago. A publisher and very stylish Islamic faithful, she led YEMISI OLUSINA into the secret of her strength and plans for the future.
What informed the establishment of Arabel?
Although I studied Sociology for my first degree, my second degree was in Banking and Finance. But I discovered that I had a call that was basically business-oriented. Then, I realised that I must make a provision for that. I thought of what it should be, I mean the kind of business I should go into and that was what brought Arabel into the picture. I discovered there was a need for an Islamic shop, a one-stop-shop that can cater for every Muslim man or woman of different class and taste. Even the children of various age groups are being catered for. That was about two decades ago and we thank God for allowing us to fill this gap appropriately well up till now. We have set the pace by God’s grace and a lot of people have started doing the same thing.
How were you able to fill up the shop with tasteful materials as we have known of Arabel for these years?
Well, I would say one particular thing that has helped me so far is my love for travelling. I like to travel a lot. I believe what one learns in the classroom is not really enough to make one an exceptional person. We learn by different experiences, going around, travelling. Besides, my religion tells me that a traveller is a veteran because if you travel, you learn a lot and you have a broad outlook to life and it is through this that one can really stand out and impact on others. I do this more often and that has indeed helped us to set this pace. Arabel is a mission accomplished.
But why did you diversify into publishing?
If you look at me very closely you would discover that I have permanent wrinkles on my forehead. This is a result of continual thinking and learning. I have learnt a lot in life and you know when you are thinking and thinking, you have the tendency to have this kind of aftermath. Even when I’m not frowning, the line is there and that’s the result of the many years of learning and studying. That means that it’s been a very tough journey, though very rewarding. You see, when I started Arabel, I thought it wouldn’t go beyond mere buying and selling but as time went on, I saw that I really needed something more. Naturally, I’m not a very patient person. I’m a little bit restless. One day I just told myself, “Eh! Woman, you should buckle down to more work, you need to do more than this.” I mean the buying and selling were no longer intellectually stimulating for me anymore. Anybody could buy and sell. I saw it as a no-big-deal, so, I concluded to go into writing. I write on a daily basis and each time I write, I feel satisfied, especially when I see the finished book in my hands. It’s a passion for me. I’m enjoying it.
How many books have you published?
Alhamdulillah. To Allah’s glory, I have done over fifty editions. I can tell you that I’ve written more than that now but that is the figure I can think and talk safely of right now.
What’s your opinion about Nigerians’ disposition to books and reading culture, and what has kept you on?
What I have noticed is that Nigerians are badly cultured when it comes to reading. They don’t buy books and they don’t read books. They don’t appreciate books at all. Even the few who read don’t appreciate Nigerian writers. For instance, people don’t buy the Nigerian books they bring to me to sell in the shop. But there is a particular one I wrote that has since remained very hot in the market. It is a drama book and I wrote it in 2004. Honestly, people still ask for it and I keep reprinting it all the time. It’s an inspirational book. Maybe that’s why and I also think it’s well written. That gives me a lot of joy. While writing the book, I travelled all over, getting the materials, interviewing people. I wrote it and produced it myself. I have written books for children too and I still think I have one more tree to climb. I like reading. I’ve seen many magazines, and there’s a particular concept I’ve not seen in them. That was why I came up with Zephyr.
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Do you think you have a peculiarity that is working for you?
I think it is an in-born thing and that is why I call it a peculiarity. When I was growing up, I always thought and see myself as a different person and I don’t know why. When people were complaining of cold, I would be feeling hot and whenever they said it was hot, I would be saying I was cold. You know, just like the Aramada Okunrin in D.O Fagunwa’s Ogboju Ode Ninu Igbo Irunmole book. It was strange but that was the honest truth. And that always gave me an edge and a kind of confidence. I really can’t explain it but I just know that I’m just different.
How affordable are your goods?
Oh! Our prices are very affordable and just right for the quality. They cut across all classes; the high, the middle and the lower classed. I strictly shop for the best, high-quality things. I don’t compromise on quality. The value and price are commensurate. I don’t want to sell things that are substandard. Many have the notion that Islam is for the sub-standard people, people of no good taste and values for qualitative things, which is absolutely wrong. Islam is not substandard but of high quality. That is what I want to change with Arabel.
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But it strictly caters for Muslims?
That’s not totally true. We have Christians who stroll in to have materials for their Muslim friends and relatives. Christians also come around for other things like toys for children and these common caps called Princess Aisha or skull cap, if you like. They come in different shapes and colours and are simply good on everyone, Muslim or Christian, adults or children.
Many still believe that it is not possible for a practising Muslim woman to be very stylish. Do you agree with this?
It is just an assumption and the general belief, a perception but not a fact. I know a lot of people who are practising Muslims and are very stylish. It all depends on the level of exposure of the person involved. You can only operate within your level of exposure. You cannot give what you do not have. In our book, the Holy Quran, God said dress decently, be well-covered and the fact that you are instructed so does not mean you cannot be elegant, classy and stylish. What is important is that you should be decent and not embarrass Islam and people around by walking about naked. I see a lot of people. I mean adults, mothers, wearing very irritating dresses, transparent outfits. Mothers showing their breasts and bums to everyone in the name of some daring fashion. It’s a shame. We see people throwing caution into the winds, going about displaying their pants and bras that are called underwears for all to see. That’s trash.
What do you have to say to today’s youths’ attitude to hard work?
It is saddening. The youths of today are simply lazy and have no thought for hard work. All they want is to cheat. Many of them who went to universities cannot defend their certificates. Some cannot even speak good English. Imagine one of them working with me. She passed out from a federal university with Second Class Upper. When I asked her to go to the airport to get some comics for me, she was confused and had to ask me whether it was a kind of book or food. They just want money at all cost. In those days, I was known for one thing. Whenever we were writing exams, I was known to always cover my papers to disallow people copying me. But today, the youths just want to pass through the school. They are not bothered about the school passing through them. All they want is the certificate.
But who would you rather blame for this?
Well, the fault lies with both the parents and the government. Many parents indulge their wards or children. They feel no shame buying “expo” for them and registering them at “special centres”. They don’t correct them neither do they put them on the right path. The holy books, the Bible and the Quran, state emphatically that a man that does not work must not eat and that He will only prosper or bless the work of our hands. Still, this is not instilled in our youths. Most parents have failed in this wise. The government, on the other hand, or society does not celebrate achievers by hard work. It will get better when society stops celebrating wealthy people regardless of the source of their wealth. So, everybody is desperate to get rich at all cost.
