By Abba Anwar
As we are inching towards the terminal point of the second tenure of Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, as Governor of Kano State, come May 29th, a date I have kept in memory for long, reminding self of its unavoidable coming, I found it necessary to thank all my colleagues whom I related with during my six years sojourn as the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.
Either sandwiched or not, the first day of my first appointment, during the first tenure, somewhere around February 2018, what first came to mind, was the trust and the confidence reposed in me by my Principal, the Governor, who, hitherto didn’t know me. And those who paved my way to fill in the blank space.
In the art of news writing, we have inverted pyramid style. To comply with this principle, though we still have few weeks to go, let me thank His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje (OFR), a media-friendly Governor, for the great opportunity he created for me to serve my state. Words cannot expressly and explicitly express my profound gratitude.
Without being immodest, almost all the achievements recorded within my circle, as CPS, were tailored, encouraged and championed by Honourable Commissioner for Information Malam Muhammad Garba. Whose wealth of experiences, links and close nexus relationships with creme de la creme in the media industry worked tirelessly for the regime.
Two other important veterans that I cannot afford to forget, who, as high-level professionals, gave me ethical focus, are Dr Sule Ya’u Sule, who was Director Press even during military junta, before the coming back of democracy in 1999. Who also served in same capacity during 8-year reign of Senator Malam Ibrahim Shekarau.
Then veteran Baba Halilu Dantiye (mni), former President of Nigerian Guild of Editors. Who served as the Director General Media and Publicity, during the tenure of Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso. From the duo, I got professional advice and encouragement.
For my professional colleagues, it is just obvious to begin with extending apologies to those whom, in their account; that could probably be mine too, in some instances, I wronged during discharging my assigned responsibility.
I don’t have enough words to appreciate their support and cooperation. So also genuine guide. I may not be biased when I mention my primary constituency, Kano Correspondents’ Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists, all other chapels and indeed the State Council of the great Union.
Though the space is for my Principal, the Governor, Commissioner for Information, veterans and my colleagues, but I feel guilty if I didn’t mention, applaud and thank, from the bottom of my heart, my lovely wife and our children.
They manage my absence, blend with my being incommunicado, sometimes and my unintended not-enough-attention as breadwinner. One flies to places like bird. To Allah be the Glory, all these conditions will soon disappear in the next few days to come. Alhamdulillah Alhamdulillah Alhamdulillah!!!
Abba Anwar,
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Kano State
Friday, 31st March, 2023
fatimanbaba1@gmail.com
