How I became health expert for the media

How about comparison between journalism practice in the USA and Nigeria. Is there any noticeable difference?I don’t know much about the practice of journalism in Nigeria but in the USA there is strict adherence to its ethics and no corruption whatsoever; nobody will ask you to bend the rules. How did you start with VOA?It […]

How about comparison between journalism practice in the USA and Nigeria. Is there any noticeable difference?
I don’t know much about the practice of journalism in Nigeria but in the USA there is strict adherence to its ethics and no corruption whatsoever; nobody will ask you to bend the rules.

How did you start with VOA?
It started when we visited Washington DC several years ago. My wife had a seminar to attend there, so I tagged along and decided to visit VOA studios and one Ibrahim Biu said, “there’s a lady who was handling health matters in Hausa and she was about leaving” so he asked if I knew who could replace her. Jummai Ali and I discussed the matter and that was how I started. This was  between 1987 and 88 and till date I am still doing same.

But do you agree that the number of VOA listeners has been dwindling in recent years?
Well, VOA is government-owned and, therefore, has the right to broadcast the views of the US government. That’s all I can say in this regard.
 
In what other activities are you involved in the US?
I am also the immediate past National President of Zumunta, a US-based northern Nigerian association and I am active in many community activities which include, serving as a judge at the Columbia Middle School science fair projects competition.
In addition, I also serve as the cultural officer for Alliance of Nigerian Organizations (ANOG) a member of KAVA (School Development Project in Nigeria), a member of American Pharmaceutical Association, USA, a member of the National Pharmaceutical Association, USA, and a member of the Nicore Investment Group for Professional Nigerians, USA.
I am a board member of the Nigerians in Diaspora organization (NIDO) and also I’m actively involved in the activities of the Community of African Muslims in the US. Also in the US I am involved with African Immigrants Health issues as well as other community services which I offer free of charge.

How often do you visit Nigeria?
All my relatives are here in Nigeria; only myself in the US. Initially, I used to visit once a year, now its two to three times or more.

Being a doctor, how do you see the health sector in Nigeria. Has there been any improvement?
Well it’s like we are retrogressing, but there’s a lot of room for improvement. I recently visited Suleja General Hospital and was shocked to see rusted instruments. If a patient visits such hospitals, there’s likelihood of aggravating his or her illness. Government should pay more attention to health matters.

Do you consider establishing a business here in Nigeria?
Yes, I consider it, but the business environment is not conducive and the way officials are indifferent is not encouraging.

Any call to federal government?
Government should upgrade hospitals and provide preventive medicine, so that the common man can benefit.

What is the major problem facing the average Nigerian immigrant in the USA?
Underemployment.

What was your growing up like?
I attended Dawaki Primary School, Suleja, before proceeding to Government College Keffi. After then, had a brief stint at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, from where I travel to the USA. I am a graduate of Clark College, Atlanta (1981) and the Southern School of Pharmacy, Mercer University (1983 and 1987), where I obtained B.SC Chemistry and B.SC Pharmaceutical Science and a doctorate in Pharmaceutical Science with Research on Stability of Pyrophosphate in Tc99m Using High Pressure Liquid Chromatography. The research deals with radio isotopes in organ imaging in medicine. I work with Atlanta, Georgia, USA cardiology GRP doing research in cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

What are your hobbies?
I am an avid soccer and basketball player and I also play lawn tennis and golf. I also enjoy mountain bicycle riding and listening to jazz music.