News
Isa Gusau: A part of me is gone
Isa Gusau: A part of me is gone
By: Yakubu Ahmed BK
Innalillahi Wa’inna Ilaihirrajiun. Death – the ultimate leveler has knocked on the door (as it will on ours) of Malam Isa Gusau, the Special Adviser, Media and Strategy to the Borno state Governor Professor Babagana Umara Zulum.
Isa was a complete gentleman, a professional and a loyal friend who gave his all to what he so much loved. Years my junior but almost at par with those who began before him.
Our paths crossed in Maiduguri early 2000 or thereabout and we clicked almost immediately, because we shared many attributes. He was Daily Trust’s Correspondent in Borno and I was Concord Press Correspondent there too, after I had spent 10 years as a Reporter and later a News Editor with Borno Radio Television Corporation BRTV. If you work in Borno, you just have to be at your best. Borno has a way it builds your confidence and sharpens you into a courageous person – and of course into a go getter. He was courageous, and one thing nobody can take away from him was his professionalism – one hell of a writer if you would.
It was not for nothing that he meritoriously served former Borno state Governor (now Nigeria’s Vice President) Kashim Shettima as SA Media for eight solid years from 2011. It was not for nothing again that Kashim Shettima’s successor Babagana Umara Zulum inherited him – and was glad to have done that. Isa was somewhat irreplaceable, no carbon copy of him, take it or leave it.
We spoke last some two weeks ago and believe me even though we were close, he never uttered a word about what he was going through healthwise other than the general knowledge even amongst his closest friends that he had some challenges which we all thought he had dealt with since his surgery at a hospital in India a year ago. It was he who called and as usual, he had some professional suggestions on how I should handle certain PR issues of my Principal in my position as the Commissioner for Information and Culture Kebbi state. We have become used to checking on one another on the professional realm. Each time either of us called, it must be about what either he or I thought should be done to advance the frontiers of image making for our respective bosses.
Since my appointment as Information Commissioner some five months ago, he became restless for me to hit the ground running and to make “that first impression.” The advises we offered to each other were mutual, but I must confess that I drew much more from his fountain of knowledge than he did from mine. That was obvious because he has image managed and PR consulted much earlier than myself and had done it more successfully. The fact that he achieved that much in a state that was not his attested to his capacity and ability in the area he had chosen for himself.
A part of me is gone and I just can’t decipher where to run to when I hit that point of creative slowdown. Of course, we drew from each other but my sense of loss was made worse by the reality that I must dig out with bare hands since one of the shovels is gone. Allah ya jikan Isa Gusau.
Yakubu Ahmed BK is Commissioner for Information and Culture, Kebbi state.
Isa Gusau: A part of me is gone
News
Reverend Dachomo insist “I was a notorious criminal in this village, a drug cartel… but I found Jesus”
Reverend Dachomo insist “I was a notorious criminal in this village, a drug cartel… but I found Jesus”
By: Zagazola Makama
Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, has again recounted his past life of crime and subsequent spiritual transformation, attributing his change to his Christian faith.
Dachomo made the disclosure during a religious gathering, where he shared his personal testimony of repentance and renewal.
“I was a notorious criminal in this village, a drug cartel in this village, a wanderer in this village. That is my testimony,” he said.
The pastor also claimed involvement in criminal activities in his earlier years.
“When I say 1980, it is our gang that robbed a bank, and the person that led that operation is my best friend,” he said.
He explained that his life took a new direction after he embrace Jesus during the robbery.
“When I submitted myself to Jesus, who is my Saviour, I allowed Him to control my life, and Jesus forgave my sin. I am a new person in Christ Jesus,” he said.
However, Dachomo has come under relentless attacks with many asking the authorities to investigate his confession and prosecuting him for his past criminality.
They accused him of infighting fire in the already existing crises between farmers and herders in the state especially when he was openly heard asking the youths to go to WAR.
Reverend Dachomo insist “I was a notorious criminal in this village, a drug cartel… but I found Jesus”
Troops foil cattle rustling, recover 84 livestock in Kaduna
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have foiled a cattle rustling attempt and recovered 84 livestock in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
A military source said the operation was carried out by troops of 4 Division Demonstration Battalion deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Dumbi.
The source disclosed that the troops responded at about 5:30 a.m. on March 27 to credible intelligence on cattle rustling activities at Pan Daudu settlement.
“Following the information, troops swiftly mobilised and laid ambush at a suspected crossing point between Lamban Zango and Monday Market in Igabi Local Government Area,” the source said.
He added that the suspected rustlers, on approaching the ambush site, abandoned the livestock and fled the scene.
“The terrorists, upon sighting the troops’ position, fled in disarray, abandoning 84 rustled livestock,” he said.
According to him, the recovered animals were subsequently handed over to their rightful owners.
Troops foil cattle rustling, recover 84 livestock in Kaduna
Troops arrest 14 suspects in cordon-and-search operation in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 1, Operation Hadin Kai, have arrested 14 suspects during a cordon-and-search operation in Bama Local Government Area of Borno.
Sources said the operation, conducted by troops of 21 Special Armoured Brigade, followed credible intelligence on the activities of a suspected terrorist and kidnapper identified as Baba Ali.
The sources disclosed that the operation took place at about 2:20 p.m. on March 25 at Ngurosoye village, where the suspect was being tracked through intercepted communications.
During the operation, troops apprehended 14 suspects at the location where the tracked calls were received.
Two bags of fertiliser, suspected to be for illicit use, were also recovered from the scene.
The suspects are currently in military custody for further investigation and necessary action.
Troops arrest 14 suspects in cordon-and-search operation in Borno
Reverend Dachomo insist “I was a notorious criminal in this village, a drug cartel… but I found Jesus”
Troops foil cattle rustling, recover 84 livestock in Kaduna
Troops arrest 14 suspects in cordon-and-search operation in Borno
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