By Umar Ibrahim
A journey of a thousand miles starts with a step, Malam Muhammad Garba has been a mentor to a lot of people not only in the media circle but also in all facets of life endeavour. Born on 25th November 1964 at Yakasai Quarters in Kano Municipal Council of Kano state in Nigeria.
Muhammad started his journalism career as a reporter and gradually rise to the highest level of deputy editor
At the early stage of his career, Muhammed had distinguished himself for being so obedient and respectful to his seniors as well as his colleagues, his commitment to his duty made him stood tall among his peers. His zeal for positive development and untiring dedication to his duty accorded him the workaholic tag.
A graduate of History/Political Science and a holder of Master’s Degree on Development Studies from prestigious Bayero University, Kano had become a seasoned journalist with the experience that spans several decades, that makes him one of the best Northern journalists that history had ever produced.
He started his career as a Reporter at Triumph Publishing Company and grew in his career to serve as Sub-Editor, Chief Sub-Editor, Group News Editor, and Deputy Editor. He had also served as a member of Editorial Board of many National Newspapers.
However, his passion for justice and fairness led him to begin active unionism. He started his union activism as Chairman of his Chapel-The Triumph, which is under the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
His uprightness and the confidence bestowed in him by colleagues to the positive development of the profession and members supported his rise to the position of the Union’s National President.
Moreover, Muhammed Garba has held various responsibilities that include Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives in 1993 and subsequently Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor of Kano State in 1999.
He was also the President, West African Journalists Association, and Member Steering Committee of the International Federation of Journalists Dublin.
Similarly, as the chief image-maker of Kano State Government, the state has attained a positive development in its efforts of transforming it to what is obtainable presently in terms of Public Enlightenment and Awareness; Sensitization and mobilization of members of the public on government programmes among other information processes.
It is on records that, Kano state government was able to contain all the pressure during its most trying moments because Muhammed Garba handled the situation with a sense of maturity and professionalism. His loyalty to his employer and his goodwill to the oneness of Kano state made him worked extra mile to see that all that needs to be done are carried out appropriately with no reservations to any form of sentiment.
The present Kano state Commissioner of Information is known for his zeal in ensuring freedom to all. He is an advocate of the United Nations, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which says “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”.
He was reappointed for the second consecutive time as the image-maker and state government chief information officer of Kano state.
it is apparent that he had delivered above expectation and that has been attested by many citizens of the state. Moreover, he is identified as a dedicated public servant that one would admire for his patriotism, human relations and diplomatic disposition towards others irrespective of state, region, religion, tribe or political application.
Muhammed Garba has indeed made his mark in good books of the history of Kano state. His rise to the peak has not been as easy as it may look, but his resilient and dedication to see that all that which is intended for the benefit of the masses come to reality has made him a unique individual that history will always love to remember.
He is a commissioner at present after holding various prestigious positions within and outside the country; no doubt, this is a sign of more good things to come. Muhammed has been a voice to the voiceless and a hope to the masses.
Umar Ibrahim writes from Yakasai quarters in Kano metropolis.
