*INVESTING ELSEWHERE , SEEKING MANDATE AT HOME .Jigawa media professional offers powerful lessons*
By Musa Ibrahim
Jigawa State has long been blessed with a rich pool of distinguished journalists and seasoned broadcasters across senior, intermediate, and executive levels. Over the years, these professionals have built reputations grounded in integrity, competence, and dedication to the craft of journalism and broadcast media. This legacy of excellence has not only shaped narratives within the state but has also positioned Jigawa as a respected contributor to Nigeria’s media landscape.
It is therefore no surprise that when the late AVM Mouktar Mohammed, Wazirin Dutse and an illustrious son of Jigawa State, established one of the first private radio stations in Kano, he did not forget his roots. Although the station was located in Kano, he looked back to his beloved home state and appointed the late Umar Mohammed Dutse of Radio Jigawa as the pioneer General Manager.
Subsequently, he went on to establish Freedom Radio in Dutse, the capital of Jigawa State. His decisions clearly demonstrated a profound sense of loyalty to his state and a strong belief in the competence and professionalism of Jigawa’s media practitioners.
Similarly, when Nura Muhammed, former Minister of Information, founded Sawaba FM, he chose to site the station in his hometown of Hadejia, Jigawa State. In a clear affirmation of confidence in indigenous expertise, he appointed Ja’afar Umar , a proud indigene of Jigawa, as there General Manager.
In another commendable example, Sen ( Amb) Ahmed Abdulhamid Malam Madori, the Senator representing Jigawa North East, expressed true patriotism to his community by establishing another media outlet , Fa’ida Radio in his hometown Mallam Madori. True to the tradition of investing in local talent, he appointed veteran broadcaster Bashir F. Danladi—an indigene of Jigawa and former staff member of Radio Jigawa—as the pioneer General Manager.
These three prominent figures, not only established their stations within the state only, but consistently looked back home when entrusting leadership responsibilities. Their actions reflected not just professional judgment, but also love, loyalty, and a genuine commitment to the development of their state, socially , economically and politically . It also empowered indigenes, strengthened local capacity and set a standard of patriotism worthy of emulation.
However, in contrast to these examples of patriotic investment, concerns have emerged regarding the actions of another son of the soil , Mohammed Babandede, former Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service an ( acclaimed ) indigene of Jigawa State from Hadejia Area. While intending to make his investment on media , he chose to locate the stations in Kano State rather than in Jigawa.
More strikingly, when appointing a General Manager, he selected a candidate from Borno State instead of drawing from the vast reservoir of qualified and experienced media professionals in Jigawa renowned nationwide for producing accomplished journalists.
For many observers,within the pioneers group this sequence of actions presents a contradiction between past decisions and present political aspirations. it also indicated a sign of lack of commitments and concern to ones immediate locality , that may not be acceptable to locals in this political era , were individuals love for his people is measured by his deeds and actions .
Capacity and committed of any ambitious political figure is now measured not merely by ambition, but by consistency and demonstrated commitment. True loyalty to one’s people is revealed in tangible investments that empower communities, create opportunities, and build sustainable institutions.
As Jigawa moves forward politically and socially, its citizens are called upon to carefully evaluate that their state deserves leaders who not only speak of development but have already demonstrated dedication through their actions.
Eventually , Jigawa broadcasting pioneers is hereby offering a powerful lessons stressing that , we must understand how genuine commitment begins at home, and lasting legacy is built by uplifting owns people.