Seven decades of ink and grit, of shared dreams no time can split. Kano State Correspondents’ Chapel — a cradle of truth, where journalistic fire burns eternal, from age to youth.
They came with pens, with passion and pride, bound not by blood, but walking side by side.
Through typewriters and tape decks, through tech and tide, they stood for truth, with honor as their guide.
We honour the pathfinders, the mighty and brave —
Halilu Ahmed Getso, Salisu Alhassan Bichi,
Late Hassan Safiyanu Gumel and Murtala Maikaba the sage, Labaran Maku, Bisi Adekunle, and Shola Lawal of Concord’s page.
There are Sani Zorro, who dared the status quo, Muhammad Garba two NUJ national Presidents, bold as morning glow.
Late Abdullahi Yakubu of New Nigerian and Leadership too, qnd Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, ever compassionate, ever true.
From Edwin Olofu’s pen that spoke with fire, to Ibrahim Garba Shua’ibu whose words inspire.
Thisday’s prolific Yakubu Musa, Suwaid bn Isa of NNN, Ja’afar Ja’afar bold, Sani Umar, voice for the voiceless, with a heart of gold.
Mohammed Ya’u of RDF, once of Sokoto’s The Path, Sani Malumfashi, whose courage would never depart, Nathaniel Ikyur, Babajide Otitoloju, Gali Sadiq the calm Ado Saleh Kankia and Amina Waziri, both bearing truth as their charm.
Haruna Aliyu Hadejia and Ibrahim Mohammed, radio’s pride; Jinge Michael, Thompson Charlie from Plateau’s side.
Ustaz M.S Abdullahi and late Bashir Umar of The Sun; Desmond Mgboh, Tina Anthony — their journalistic runs well spun.
From Radio Nigeria’s gallant crew —
Abubakar Abdurahman, Aliyu Yahaya, Professor Samaila Shehu, Abubakar Sadiq Yusuf of Gaskiya Ta Fi Kwabo, The Kakaki of Almizan, loud and raw.
Osa Director, a champion of justice, with a heart that’s kind and true; Osedebamen Isibor, a journalist with a heart of gold too. Suleiman Anyewulechi, the kingmaker himself,
Akinola Alli, a leader who needed no help.
Umar Yari, a pen warrior full of cheer,
Late Umar Sa’idu Tudun Wada, whose voice we still hear.
Aliyu Abubakar Askira, short-lived Chairman with resolve; Ibrahim the vital link, with problems he’d always solve.
We remember the tiny Jakuskus, whose reign was enviable, late Bello Fagge, A Yau and Abuja Mirror, dependable and capable.
Na Baker uban Sumayya da Khalid — no tale more powerful, more free; Adamu Joshua Marshall, whose legacy stands firm like a tree.
Babangida Funtua, the money keeper, wise and true, late Musa Umar Kazaure, the one who always knew.
Dr. Habibi A.T Yaqoob, his journalistic heart aglow; Auwaliye bn Umar of Daily Times, fierce in pen and flow. Ubale Musa, and Patience Musa, strong and kind; Umar Suleiman, sports guru with a brilliant mind.
Bassey Inyang of Express, bold and never cold, their stories still fresh, their memory never old.
Ricardo Chidi Obi, of blessed memory who wrote for the Guardian with the jerry coil having a flair; John Alechenu of the Punch and late Augustine Maduwest — rare.
The late Cosmos Etaiyi Elaigwu, fierce and grand, his ‘brother from another mother’ Kayode Olaitan, hand in hand.
Oyelere Kola of Tribune, Kolade Adeyemi’s strategic might, Malam Ahmad Muhammad Kwalam, a VOA light.
Muhammad Salisu Rabiu of A Kori Kwalam fame, Dahiru Suleiman, of Gaskiya Ta Fi Kwabo earned him a golden name.
Ibrahim Dahiru of the legendary New Nigerian, Hussain Abubakar Mbar of NAN, Chapel Chairman again and again.
Samaila Dabai of FRCN, Isa Muhammad Inuwa of Radio Germany, Aminu Abubakar of Radio France, all writing with harmony.
Garba Lere of Voice of Nigeria, and Hisham Habib, once of Trust, Habibi, Madu Jerry — the man on top, sharp and just.
Aliyu Dankama of Radio Nigeria Kaduna, Jamilan Trust with her twin stars Ruqayya Aliyu, now Professor, and Habiba Adamu with her gentle scars.
Yusha’u Adamu, Hassan Karofi, Mustapha Kwaru the steady, Ahmed Abubakar, Giginyu, Dawud Nazifi, Mudassir Ismail ever ready.
Chika Nwabueze and Ibrahim Birnin Magaji, silent but sound; Tajuddeen Suleiman, a powerful Chair who stood his ground.
Ashahabu Lawal of NAN — quiet yet bold,
Sunday Alu, the gallant soldier with a kitchen-hardened hold.
Salihu Usman Isha, the Hotman with charisma bright, and Yusuf Ozi Usman, Chapel Chairman, guiding with insight.
Mustapha Gide and Bala Abdullahi of New Nigerian type, late ace photographer Zubairu Shaba and twin Kabiru Funtua, ripe.
The silent John Akubo, present in the ink, and many unnamed heroes who made us rethink.
These individuals, with passion, grit and grace, gave the Chapel its heartbeat and its journalistic base.
Through shadows and storms, they lit the way and still their spirits guide us today.
As we celebrate 70 years of the Kano State Correspondents’ Chapel, we fondly remember the Late Umar Sa’idu Tudun Wada, Umar Suleiman, Mike Oboh, Sani Abdullahi, Bello Fagge, Musa Baker, Jinge Michael, Cosmos Elaigwu, and Ricardo Chidi Obi, zubairu Shaba, Bashir Umar, Ted Udogu, Augustine Madu West, Ibrahim Barde— all legends eternal.
May Allah bless this noble Chapel — the famed “Galadima Bombers.”
For those not named, your legacy is part of this honor. We appreciate you all — in silence or in thunder — For the truth you wrote, and the unity you fostered under.
Lamara Garba Azare is former Chairman, Kano State NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel
