The Secretary to Kano State Government (SSG), Alhaji Usman Alhaji has described the state Commissioner of Information, Malam Muhammad Garba as ‘the most influential media personality in the country.’
This was made known during an award presentation ceremony to honor those who distinguished themselves during their service years at the ministry and in media practice, organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) chapel of the ministry held at the Grand Central Hotel conference hall, recently.
The SSG acknowledged that despite domination of the nation’s media practice by the people of the Southern part of the country, Garba broke the jinx and became the national president of the union for eight consecutive years, elected twice to serve for three years in each dispensation.
According to him, for such a personality (Comrade Garba) to have achieved that, it should be held in high esteem, widely celebrated and nicknamed the proud son of the Northern Nigeria and the nation at large.
Alhaji added that Garba, being the mouth piece of the present administration in the state, he remains the only media personality one would not want to be left out when he was making points on radio or in the newspapers.
In his words: “Garba is like an elephant in the China shop whom you will not like to miss watching or listening,” stressing that Comrade Garba is so eloquent in his addresses.
Usman pointed out that one cannot but describe Garba as the good contributor to the development of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s administration.
It is however to note that Garba was the former state chairman of the union in Kano chapter; its former National President; President of West Africa Journalists Association (WAJA); and the president, Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) and yet a member steering committee of the unions.
Hajiya Binta Bello Salihi, known as Gwaggo a mother of eight grown children, four males and four females, said to be a listener of radio stations for over 50 years, found Muhammad Garba as the politician she always loved to listen to whenever he was on radio.
“I pray to Allah (SWT) for him to succeed Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje because I have heard about politicians betraying their master, but not in the case of Malam Muhammad Garba looking at the love he has for the governor and stood for him during his trying time,” Gwaggo said.