Celebrating Malam Mamman Daura
It is with all sincerity, joy and happiness that I congratulate you on your attainment of the age of 80 years. Your life has been a great testimony that continues to shine as a model of integrity, diligence, hard work, honesty, simplicity, excellence and a mentor to many you may not be aware of or […]
It is with all sincerity, joy and happiness that I congratulate you on your attainment of the age of 80 years.
Your life has been a great testimony that continues to shine as a model of integrity, diligence, hard work, honesty, simplicity, excellence and a mentor to many you may not be aware of or remember.
I am particularly joyful to recall your counsel/mentoring that changed my career and life positively to the glory of Allah using you.
Sir, may I recall that I was a reporter with the New Nigerian Newspaper [NNN] when you were the Managing Director of the newspaper group. I resigned in 1978 to join the News Agency of Nigeria. You sent a message to me to see you at the Ikoyi Club, Lagos. When I met you at the appointed time, you started by explaining to me that you sent for me because you had keenly observed/followed my career as a reporter and impressed by my potentials. You went on to advice that my decision to work as a reporter in a news agency was not to my interest at my young career and age in Journalism. You took time to explain the difference between a reporter in a newspaper and news agency [which you said should come at a later age and indeed, after retirement from newspaper journalism].
During the discussion, I told you that I had just turned down the Group News Editor position in the then emerging Concord Group of Newspapers being established by Chief MKO Abiola.
In your usual calm and loving disposition, you urged me to go back there [Concord] and take the position or whatever they could offer me. I did go back to Concord to accept the position they had offered me. I recall that one of the pioneer Editorial Executives in Concord was miffed that I had earlier turned down the Group News Editor position he had invited me to take up. [I had worked under him in NNN Lagos office].To cut a long story short, Sir, other people who still wanted me there [after an earlier interview] decided that I should take the Deputy Group News Editor position if only to appease the opposing executive. I accepted that because of your counsel.
Sir, permit me also to mention that I eventually rose to be the Group News Editor of Concord, Editor of Sunday Concord etc. and I owe my subsequent career and human life development to you in a very special way.
Suffice it to say that I have not forgotten and wish to use the auspicious occasion of your attainment of 80 years [young] to tell you that there are people whose lives you have touched positively.
For me particularly, it was somewhat incredible that at your high position [Group Managing Director], you could take interest in a mere reporter even when you had many in Editorial hierarchy and other top management cadre far and above a reporter. Also, I was convinced during our discussion that you came all the way from Kaduna to counsel me (an ordinary reporter) for what you felt was necessary for my career and human development. Till today, I still wonder why you came to Lagos instead of asking/ordering me to see you in Kaduna. I, of course, would have considered it a great honour!!!
Permit me to say unequivocally that your life is unique Sir! It is hard to find anyone with such selfless disposition to another in life.
Sir, you are and will remain a Hero, Mentor and Beacon of integrity, humility, diligence and friend to both the high and the low. You have been a source of joy and encouragement to those who came your way. Your life [Allah-loving] is a reward from God and many [you many not remember like me] do rejoice and pray always for you.
My entire family joins me in praying to The Almighty Allah to continue to grant you even more fruitful long life, wisdom and peace as you continue to age gracefully.
Maduka Ugwu [email protected]