Sidi Ali: A used journalist from a northern media family, By Gidado Y. Shuaib

Farewell to a titan of Nigerian journalism and politics, Alhaji Sidi Ali. Your legacy endures, casting a guiding gentle for generations to approach. Rest in peace, incandescent that your contributions to our nation shall eternally be remembered.

“Zamu Daura ma auren dole!” Hajiya Hakama Sidi Ali thundered over the cellphone after I answered her name. In Hausa, this interprets to “We’re going to have the choice to search out and force a wife on you!”

Hajiya Hakama Sidi Ali’s heat and forthright procedure has been a fixed source of guidance and inspiration since I got a surprise birthday reward from her in 2016. She is candid and staunch, yet repeatedly maintained a gay and pleasant disposition. These qualities had been on the full discussed by my father, who became as soon as her route mate at Bayero University Kano in the early ’90s.

Fairly than adopting the entitled attitudes of privileged childhood, Hakama and her siblings, led by her senior brother Hamid Sidi-Ali, embraced simplicity, humility, and amiability — traits inherited from their father. Their family ethos additionally incorporated a contact of radicalism against injustice.

Her father, Alhaji Sidi Ali, became as soon as a used journalist and politician who handed away on 25 April at the age of 86. As a member of the Sharifai clan, which traces its ancestry attend to the illustrious Islamic scholar, Al-Maghili, Sidi Ali additionally hailed from a significant media family in Northern Nigeria.

The family’s commitment to media excellence has left an indelible mark on the attach’s history and custom. Vital kinfolk consist of Alhaji Sidi Mohammed Ali, who worked with the Hausa Service of Stutter of Ghana and later headed the Hausa Service of Stutter of Nigeria (VON); Alhaji Sidi Ali Sirajo, a respected Civil Battle correspondent and susceptible managing director of Triumph and Unusual Nigerian Newspapers; and Ibrahim Sidi Ali, who contributed a good deal to broadcasting at Federal Radio Company of Nigeria (FRCN), and additionally served as chief press secretary to the slack Governor Sabo Bakin Zuwo of Kano.

Born in Kano on 15 July, 1938, Alhaji Sidi Ali’s shuffle started amidst his father’s thriving cattle and agricultural form companies, as a trip-setter of the Nigerian community in Ghana. The educational odyssey of the then younger boy took him from Shahuci Predominant College to Rumfa College, where he befriended future leaders, Ado Bayero and Murtala Mohammed.

Despatched to Ghana for increased education, Sidi Ali’s immersion in radical politics led to his expulsion, catapulting him right into a transformative segment. Below the sponsorship of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, his tutorial pursuits in one other nation in a roundabout procedure culminated in his education at Unusual York University; Merced College, California; and Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina. There, he got a bachelor’s degree in journalism, and held a diploma in Personnel Administration and Industrial Household participants.

In 1979, Sidi Ali joined the socialist People’s Redemption Occasion (PRP), led by the slack Mallam Aminu Kano, and became as soon as elected to the Federal House of Representatives, representing Dambatta Federal Constituency. His re-election in 1983 saw him symbolize Gezawa Federal Constituency. Sidi Ali’s prowess mirrored his principled stance in every journalism and politics.

A versatile journalist and illustrious Pan Africanist, Sidi Ali served as an assistant data officer at the well-known All African People’s Conference in Accra in 1958 and became as soon as actively focused on the pioneering work that saw to the initiating of the Organisation for African Harmony (OAU) in 1963.

Upon his return to Nigeria, Sidi Ali transitioned into the civil carrier and performed a extraordinarily well-known role in shaping the governments story all the procedure thru the Nigerian Civil Battle. He worked at the Nigerian World Press Centre, Federal Ministry of Records, among other strategic positions.

In 1979, Sidi Ali joined the socialist People’s Redemption Occasion (PRP), led by the slack Mallam Aminu Kano, and became as soon as elected to the Federal House of Representatives, representing Dambatta Federal Constituency. His re-election in 1983 saw him symbolize Gezawa Federal Constituency. Sidi Ali’s prowess mirrored his principled stance in every journalism and politics. His actions as a member of the House of Representatives, including an incident bright a gun, demonstrated his unwavering commitment to justice and accountability. His opponents on the full portrayed him as a controversial public resolve attributable to his unwavering stance and outspoken nature all the procedure thru the 2d Republic.

A contemporary of Chief MKO Abiola and Senator Olusola Saraki in politics, as a member of the Federal House of Representatives, Sidi Ali fearlessly challenged societal norms and advocated for justice and accountability.

His literary prowess is evident in 19 printed books and a mountainous selection of articles that he wrote, which on the full urged serious belief and compassionate action. A couple of of his vital works consist of A Day out to Timbuktu (1965), Corruption in High Societyand The Energy of Energy on Muhammad Ribadu, Outmoded Defence Minister (1982).

By technique of his writings and speeches, Sidi Ali leaves a legacy of unwavering commitment to justice, accountability, and compassionate action. A couple of of his most controversial books consist of, Political fraud of the Nigerian elites, Nigeria Household participants With Israel, WAI as an Ideology for just correct rectitude and Tarka: A Sufferer of Political and Sectional Blackmail, which confronted a ban by the then militia administration.

His extensive travels and experiences shaped his affinity for journalism and communication, making him a good used of the media industry. It became as soon as now not dazzling that a number of of his childhood are equally Mass Conversation graduates, whereas others are into the acceptable, accountancy and other professions.

The passing of Alhaji Sidi Ali resonates deeply, leaving an indelible mark now not handiest inside of familial circles but additionally across the nation. His legacy — a tapestry woven with knowledge and compassion — serves as a beacon amid turbulent landscapes.

Enjoy his father’s legacy, Sidi Ali devoted his existence to dispute resolution and the reconciliation of aggrieved occasions. He additionally transformed his homes in Obalande, Lagos and Kano into havens for counselling, reduction, and accommodation of stranded and downtrodden Nigerians.

His family legacy, intricately woven into Nigeria’s societal fabric, continues thru his childhood, who embody his values and contribute a good deal to rather a number of professions and fields, enriching the Sidi Ali family ticket on Nigeria’s public discourse.

The passing of Alhaji Sidi Ali resonates deeply, leaving an indelible mark now not handiest inside of familial circles but additionally across the nation. His legacy — a tapestry woven with knowledge and compassion — serves as a beacon amid turbulent landscapes.

Alhaji Sidi Ali held board appointments, serving as a commissioner at the Nigerian Broadcast Fee (NBC), a member of the board of NDLEA and that of Presidential Panel on Gasoline Scarcity. He additionally served as a member the 2014 National Conference (Confab), among many other our bodies.

Past accolades, Sidi Ali’s legacy transcended educated geographical regions. All over his existence, he remained a steadfast servant to Nigeria, honoured for his integrity, commitment, dedication, and sacrifice.

Farewell to a titan of Nigerian journalism and politics, Alhaji Sidi Ali. Your legacy endures, casting a guiding gentle for generations to approach. Rest in peace, incandescent that your contributions to our nation shall eternally be remembered.

Housing Yushau Shuaibthe creator of YouthDigest and Data Digest, is the Convener of annual Campus Journalism Awards (CJA) writes from Abuja.