News
STANLEY MSHELIA: REQUIEM TO THE PEN GENERAL

STANLEY MSHELIA: REQUIEM TO THE PEN GENERAL.
By: Inuwa Bwala
In 1993, when I was a contributor on Network Africa/Focus on Africa programme of the BBC, I went to the Lake Chad Basin in search of details, following a deadly encounter between Nigerian troops and a splinter of Chadian rebels, around the area.
I returned to Maiduguri to file the report, but was denied the use of the Government House telephone, which most correspondents relied upon to send reports.
I was frustrated on the queue at NITEL which was the only available alternative then.
I retired to the NUJ on Lagos street almost defeated, when Stanley Mshelia and his good friend Mohammed Ahmed, now of the University of Maiduguri met me.
Stanley suggested the use of a private line in the residence of a friend, who was working with NITEL.
He took me to the house in the GRA, but cautioned me that, the report could cause trouble for me if I reported exactly what he saw in the copy.
I took the risk and went ahead, after giving his friend’s telephone line to my editor in Bush House to call me back for voice over.
The story actually landed me in Military detention, for nine days and Stanley was available for me, to get out.
The NUJ house on Lagos Street was not only a rhendezvous for journalists it was a giant intellectual warehouse. It was there, that, most journalists; including those with offices outside, develop ideas of how to build their reports.
Every one of us would come up with his or her own lead to a particular story from the same event.
For the correspondents, we often look for the sensational angle, and for the government own media houses, they often prefer the promotional angle.
Stanley Mshelia belonged to the latter, but was a blend in professional news judgement. Although older in age and on the job, he was somehow a blend between the two generations of journalists in Maiduguri during the military regency.
Knowing that, NTA where he worked would not tow some lines of reportage, Stanley could give a beautiful sensational opener to those of us who preferred that angle and go back to take his report from the Govetnmental house style.
After giving a fantastic opener, he would equally give a caveat, that we should avoid trouble.
We often satirically conduct ourselves as mock troops, given the regimented mentality of the Military, who were then in Government. Stanley treated even the younger ones as his compatriots and joking gave orders in the fashion of the military, which earned him the nick name “General.”
And when he was sure we had beaten the dateline for submission of stories to our various media houses, Stanley would lead the way to any of the relaxation spots, where we further debate the suitability of the various leads we gave the stories of the day.
On the tube, Stanley Mshelia was the man with the baritone voice. Most reporters could file reports, but Stanley was often preferred to voice over their reports.
He was the notable voice on NTA at 7 and most network reports from the Maiduguri center.
We had been friends since our days at the Federal Low-cost in Maiduguri, culminating into our days in journalism.
We were both circumstantial politicians, having been conscripted from journalism into image makers.
I was the pioneer occupant of the office of the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations to the Governor of Borno State and Stanley took over from me. But even when I was there, we were running the office together, as he gave me very useful insights and connections in the electronic media.
I recall that, even when I left and our bosses were at loggerheads, Stanley still visited me in Kaduna and we did many things together as professional colleagues.
Immediately he retired, he briefly joined me in National Trail newspaper, which I founded.
Beyond these, we have been together on so many professional committees and had always offered each other useful inputs from professional angles. I dare say that, he was a dedicated and passionate professional and his demise remains a great loss to me, to journalism and to Borno state.
Adieu the pen generalisimo.
End
News
Abuja–kaduna train derails with perssengers onboard, casualties feared

Abuja–kaduna train derails with perssengers onboard, casualties feared
By: Zagazola Makama
A train travelling from Abuja to Kaduna on Tuesday derailed after reportedly missing a point, Zagazola reports.
Details of the incident are still sketchy, and the number of fatalities or casualties could not be immediately ascertained.
Emergency responders and security agencies are said to be moving to the scene, while officials are yet to issue an official statement on the development.
Abuja–kaduna train derails with perssengers onboard, casualties feared
News
Man kills rival over alleged affair with wife in Adamawa

Man kills rival over alleged affair with wife in Adamawa
By: Zagazola
The Police in Adamawa have launched a manhunt for a suspect alleged to have killed a villager over a dispute involving his wife in Demsa Local Government Area of the state.
Sources said the incident occurred in Wuro Bakumbo village, where one Hamman Shomo allegedly attacked Hammadu Shagari with a knife following a quarrel.
It said the quarrel, which took place on Sunday, stemmed from Shomo’s suspicion that Shagari was having an affair with his wife, identified as 20-year-old Rabi Alim.
According to sources, Shagari initially escaped into the bush after the attack, but his lifeless body was discovered the next day, (Monday) lying in a pool of blood with deep cuts on his back.
The sources said the scene was visited by police, documented, and the corpse evacuated to General Hospital, Numan, for autopsy.
The sources said that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect, while the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had been detailed to carry out discreet investigation.
Man kills rival over alleged affair with wife in Adamawa
News
Gunmen kill vigilante, abduct man, wife and child in katsina

Gunmen kill vigilante, abduct man, wife and child in katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed men have killed a vigilante and abducted three members of a family in Katsina metropolis, the Police Command has confirmed.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday at Filin Canada Quarters, behind Steel Rolling Mill.
The sources explained that the assailants broke into the residence of one Anas Ahmadu, and abducted him, his wife Halimatu, and their daughter, Jidda.
According to the sources, a vigilante member attached to the area, Abdullahi Muhammad, 25, was shot by the attackers while attempting to resist the abduction.
He was rushed to the General Hospital, Katsina, where he was confirmed dead.
Security operatives have been directed to intensify efforts to track down the perpetrators, rescue the victims and restore normalcy in the area.
Gunmen kill vigilante, abduct man, wife and child in katsina
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