By: Lamara Garba Azare
Seven decades of unity and brotherhood,
A bond that’s strong, a tie that’s good.
Kano State Correspondents’ Chapel, a radiant beacon,
A shining example in the dark of night’s uncertainty.
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With hearts united, they stand as one,
Supporting each other under the warm sun.
Their selfless spirit, a wonder to behold,
An attestation to the bonds of unity and brotherhood that set them free.
In admiration, we salute their noble stride,
A group of journalists, side by side.
Their camaraderie, a guiding light
That shines so bright on this celebratory night.
We honor the trailblazers, the legends of old,
Starting with veteran Halilu Ahmed Getso, the late Hassan Safiyanu Gumel, Salisu Alhassan Bichi, and the late Murtala Maikaba. Also, the honorable Minister Labaran Maku, Bisi Adekunle, as well as Shola Lawal of the defunct Concord newspaper. A special recognition goes to two former National Presidents of our great union: Malam Sani Zorro, whose tenure was adventurous and tantalizing, and Muhammad Garba, the man who re-echoed the real meaning of the Fourth Estate of the Realm through his bold activism.
I’m quick to recognize the late Abdullahi Yakubu of New Nigerian and Leadership newspapers,
Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, with a heart full of compassion,
Edwin Olofu, a master of words, with a spirit adventurous,
Ibrahim Garba Shua’ibu, a shining star, with a story to be told.
Yakubu Musa, a legend in his own right,
With a heart full of empathy and a spirit that shines bright.
Suwaid bn Isa, the bold,
Ja’afar Ja’afar, a trailblazer with a spirit daring and bold,
Sani Umar, a voice for the voiceless, with a heart that’s kind and gentle.
The Chapel that produced Mohammed Ya’u of the famous RDF fame, formerly of Sokoto’s The Path newspaper.
Sani Malumfashi, a champion of justice, with a spirit resolute and strong,
Nathaniel Ikyur, a pen warrior, with a heart full of joy.
Babajide Otitoju, a weaver of words, with a spirit imaginative and bright,
Gali Sadiq, a radio legend, with a voice smooth and melodious.
Ado Saleh Kankia, a BBC Hausa journalist, with a story to share,
Amina Waziri, a BBC English Service journalist, with a spirit confident and bold.
Ibrahim Mohammed, a radio guru, with a heart wise and kind,
Haruna Aliyu Hadejia, a radio trailblazer, with a pioneering spirit.
Jinge Michael of Benue Voice and his counterpart Thompson Charlie, writing for Plateau’s Nigeria Standard,
Ustaz M.S. Abdullahi, the late Bashir Umar of The Sun newspaper,
His predecessor Desmond Mgboh, and Tina Anthony,
As well as FRCN’s Abubakar Abdurahman,
Aliyu Yahaya, and now Professor Samaila Shehu.
Then Abubakar Sadiq of Gaskiya Ta Fi Kwabo,
And the Kakaki of Al-Mizan.
Osibademen Isibor, a journalist with a heart of gold,
Osa Director, a champion of justice, with a heart kind and true.
Suleiman Anyewulechi, the kingmaker himself, with a spirit that never grows old,
Akinola Alli, a leader, with a heart kind and wise.
Umar Yari, a pen warrior, with a heart full of cheer,
The late Umar Sa’idu Tudun Wada, a radio legend, with a voice smooth and sweet.
Aliyu Abubakar Askira, a leader, with a heart kind and wise,
Ibrahim, the vital link, with a spirit strong and free.
We remember the tiny Jakuskus, whose reign was enviable,
The late Bello Fagge of A Yau and Abuja Mirror, with hearts kind and true.
The late Musa Baker, Musa Uban Sumayya, and Khalid, with spirits strong and free.
Adamu Joshua Marshall, a journalist with a heart of gold.
Babangida Funtua, a money keeper, with a heart kind and wise,
Musa Umar Kazaure, a journalist with a spirit strong and free.
Dr. Habibi A.T. Yaqoob, a journalist with a heart of gold,
Auwaliye bn Umar, a journalist with a spirit fierce and bold.
Ubale Musa, a journalist with a heart kind and true,
Patience Musa, a journalist with a spirit strong and free.
Umar Suleiman, a sports guru, with a heart kind and wise,
Bassey Inyang, a journalist with a spirit fierce and bold.
Ricardo Chidi Obi, a journalist with a heart of gold,
John Alechenu, a journalist with a spirit strong and free.
The late Augustine Maduwest, a journalist with a heart kind and true,
Cosmos Etaiyi Elaigwu, a journalist with a spirit fierce and bold.
Also on the list are the quiet Mustapha Gide and Bala Abdullahi of New Nigerian Newspapers,
The late ace photographer Zubairu Shaba and his twin brother Kabiru Funtua of Democrat newspaper.
Kayode Olaitan, a journalist with a heart of gold,
Abdullahi Malam, a journalist with a fierce spirit, not forgetting Mustapha Gide,
As well as the silent John Akubo, among others.
These individuals, along with many others, have demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to the well-being of their colleagues. We are grateful for their selflessness and dedication to the Chapel.
As we celebrate the Kano State Correspondents’ Chapel, we fondly remember the late Umar Sa’idu Tudun Wada, Umar Suleiman, Mike Oboh, Sani Abdullahi, Bello Fagge, Musa Baker, Jinge Michael, Cosmos Elaigwu, and Ricardo Chidi Obi. They shall always be cherished for their contributions to the Chapel.
We pray that Allah blesses this wonderful Chapel, affectionately known as Galadima Bombers. We appreciate you all, including those whose names did not appear in this tribute.
Lamara Garba Azare, former Chairman of the Chapel
