Ahmed Abdulkadir
Excerpt from My Memoir
In the bustling city of Katsina, my role as the General Manager of Katsina State Television (KTTV) led me into an unexpected clash with the then Secretary to the Katsina State Government (SSG), late Dr. Abba Sayyadi Rumah. It all unfolded during a high-profile political event, where politicians, academics, and members of the public from across the Northwest Zone of Nigeria convened at our state's doorstep. Papers were presented, lectures were delivered, and amongst the attendees was the formidable state governor, late Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, accompanied by his entourage and the SSG.
Prior to the event, our team had received explicit instructions from the SSG to ensure a seamless live coverage. With meticulous planning and preparations, we were ready to execute our duty.
During the course of the event, an esteemed resource person, a renowned Ph.D holder from Bayero University, Kano, Professor Sadik Radda, took the stage. Unbeknownst to us, he possessed a fervent and critical attitude towards both the State and Federal Governments, taking the liberty to slate them in the presence of our state's governor. I glanced at the governor and could instantly discern his growing anger, despite his attempts to maintain a composed facade.
Suddenly, he abruptly rose from his seat and hastily left, trailed closely by his entourage. In that moment, I instinctively knew that trouble had brewed. Within minutes, the GM of Katsina State Radio, late Ibrahim Murnai Saulawa, my colleague, and I were summoned to the government house, commanded to immediately halt the live coverage. With trepidation, we found ourselves standing before a circle of stern-faced members of the Executive Council, with the SSG and a few Special Advisers bolstering the governor's side. It felt like stepping onto a battlefield, facing a firing squad. The room fell into an eerie silence, lasting what felt like an eternity.
Then, in a gentle yet compelling tone, the governor gazed directly at me, perhaps due to our personal acquaintance, and softly asked, "Ahmad, who authorized the live coverage of that event?" Without a moment's hesitation, I firmly responded, "It was the SSG who issued the directive."
In an instant, the SSG sprang from his seat, incredulous. "Me? When did I ever give such an instruction?" he exclaimed. Undeterred, I locked eyes with him, standing my ground, and calmly stated, "You contacted me yesterday via phone call and explicitly provided that instruction." Pulling out my phone, I attempted to present the call record as evidence. To my surprise, the GM of the State Radio also showcased his phone, revealing a text message reflecting the exact same directions. Utter astonishment filled the room...
Without saying another word, the governor stood up and nodded to the Special Adviser on Press and Publicity, Nasiru Abdul, entrusting him with resolving the matter. As he exited the office, leaving us behind to engage in a heated discussion with the SSG, we could sense that the ordeal had reached its end.
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