By Abba Dukawa
I did not intend to engage in an unnecessary controversy with a self-centred individual who appears more interested in seeking personal recognition than contributing meaningfully to public discourse. This became evident in an article authored by Tijjani Sarki, titled “Let the Records Speak: Comrade Mohammed Garba, Comrade Waiya and the Future of Kano’s Information Ministry.”
The writer appears more interested in pleasing his paymaster than presenting an objective assessment. In attempting to compare the achievements of the former Commissioner for Information with those of the current Commissioner, he produced an article that unfortunately exposes his limited understanding of Muhammad Garba’s accomplishments.
It is appropriate to quote part of his argument:
“Recent calls for the reappointment of Hon. Muhammad Garba as Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs have sparked debate in Kano State. His supporters point to his eight years of service and describe him as an experienced professional whose return would benefit the government.”
There is nothing wrong with making such calls. However, it is entirely the governor’s prerogative to decide who he wants to work with. Merely making a call does not guarantee any action if the governor does not consider it necessary. The real question is: why do such calls seem to frighten him and his paymaster?
However, any fair assessment of Muhammad Garba’s tenure should be based on facts, records, and measurable achievements rather than selective narratives designed to advance a particular agenda.
By virtue of his office, the Commissioner serves as the chief spokesperson and image-maker of the government.
The ministry’s core responsibility is to facilitate the free flow of accurate, factual, and balanced information between the government and the citizenry.
At the inception of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s administration in 2015, Malam Muhammad Garba was appointed to oversee the Ministry of Information, Youth, Sports, and Culture. The appointment was widely applauded as that of a square peg in a square hole, given his background as a seasoned media practitioner and former President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Upon assuming office, he pledged to make staff career progression a top priority within the ministry, and he largely delivered on that promise. Before his tenure, many staff members ended their careers as Director, Deputy Directors within the ministry or on Grade Level 14 due to limited opportunities for advancement. Under his leadership, numerous staff members rose to directorship positions, while others were appointed Permanent Secretaries in various ministries. This achievement remains unprecedented in the ministry’s history and significantly boosted staff morale.
Another notable achievement was his commitment to revitalising the state-owned newspaper, Triumph Publishing Company. With the support of the Ganduje administration, the newspaper returned to the newsstands after being shut down during the kwankwaso’s administration.
However, at the time of writing this rejoinder, The Triumph was no longer available on newsstands. Although it has not been officially shut down, the company is currently facing several challenges that have hindered hard-copy publication, forcing it to operate primarily online.
Since his appointment, Muhammad Garba has provided the leadership required to steer the affairs of the ministry effectively. He redefined workplace ethics and focused on addressing the aspirations and welfare of the ministry’s workforce. At the same time, he professionally projected the policies and programmes of the Ganduje administration while responding to criticism from political opponents and social commentators.
Between 2015 and 2019, Garba also served as Chairman of the State Government Standing Committee on Empowerment. In this capacity, he worked tirelessly to support the administration’s efforts to reduce unemployment among youths and women, which remained a key policy objective from the outset.
Through his active participation in the screening and implementation of various empowerment initiatives, no fewer than 50,000 youths and women benefited from skills acquisition programmes across the 44 local government areas of the state.
These programmes exposed beneficiaries to a wide range of vocational skills, including carpentry, plumbing, automobile engineering, panel beating, vehicle repair, and vulcanising. Some participants also received specialised training at the Peugeot Automobile Nigeria Learning Centre in Kaduna. These achievements remain worthy of recognition and celebration.
As part of efforts to strengthen professionalism in the media sector, the Kano State Government established a 14-member technical committee to sanitise broadcasting operations within the state. The committee was tasked with monitoring radio stations to ensure compliance with the National Broadcasting Code and promote professional standards. It was also mandated to address cases of misconduct and abuse of media privileges. Muhammad Garba and Professor Umar Pate served as co-chairmen of the committee.
According to Garba:
“As a government, we are not doing this to stop people from airing their views or to suppress freedom of expression. Rather, we are doing it to sanitise the sector for the overall good of the state.”
Under his stewardship, the ministry provided electronic equipment and other essential working tools to its parastatals. It also facilitated the establishment of 44 Censorship Board liaison offices across the state’s local government areas and contributed to efforts aimed at reducing the use of vulgar language in public spaces by traditional medicine vendors.
As Commissioner for Information, Garba also played a significant role in Kano State’s hosting of the 2021 Biennial Conference of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE). The conference attracted some of the most respected figures in the journalism profession and was widely regarded as one of the most peaceful and successful conventions organised by the Guild. Participants were taken on tours of major infrastructure projects executed by the Ganduje administration.
At the conference, Muhammad Garba acknowledged the support and cooperation he received from Governor Ganduje, noting that such support greatly assisted the ministry in achieving its objectives. In return, the governor praised Garba’s loyalty and professionalism, recalling a relationship that spanned more than three decades.
According to the governor, Garba served diligently in various capacities, including as Press Secretary and Commissioner for Information, consistently demonstrating professionalism, commitment, and dedication to duty.
One quality that even his critics often acknowledge is his ability to maintain cordial relationships with people, regardless of differences in opinion. Considering both his antecedents and contemporary activities, it can be argued that he rarely sees others as enemies. Rather, he treats people with respect and civility—a disposition that has earned him admiration among media practitioners, civil servants, politicians, and members of the public.
Having worked closely with him as his sub-editor when he served as Deputy Editor of Daily Triumph, and having also been one of his mentees, I know that he would never sponsor any group or individual to call for his reappointment as Commissioner for Information.
One thing the writer appears to have overlooked is that Muhammad Garba is a seasoned journalist whose career spans several decades. He began his journalism career as a Reporter with Triumph Publishing Company and steadily rose through the ranks, serving as Sub-Editor, Chief Sub-Editor, Group News Editor, Deputy Editor, and a member of the Editorial Boards of several national newspapers.
Muhammad Garba also distinguished himself in union leadership. He started his active involvement in union activities as Chairman of the Triumph Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). He subsequently served as Chairman of the Kano State Council of the NUJ, Deputy National President of the NUJ, President of National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists. President West African Journalists Association, and later He was also a member of the Steering Committee of the International Federation of Journalists in Dublin.
Beyond journalism and union leadership, Muhammad Garba has held several important public offices. He served as Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives in 1993 and later as Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor of Kano State from 1999 to 2003. He also served as Commissioner for Information and is currently Chief of Staff to the former National Chairman of the ruling party.
Throughout his distinguished career, he has undertaken numerous responsibilities and contributed significantly to journalism, public service, and leadership at both national and international levels.
Comrade Muhammad Garba commands considerable respect within and outside Kano State, largely because of his ability to articulate ideas clearly and thoughtfully. Whenever he speaks, audiences listen attentively to his perspectives and insights.
Dukawa writes from Kano and can be reached at abbahydukawa@gmail.com.
