One of the numerous disadvantages of Northern Nigeria
within the geographical expression called Nigeria is
the paucity of media i.e. both print and electronic.
As a result of this, the region has suffered serious
blackmail over the years especially from the thriving
press axis of Lagos/Ibadan which literally controls
the nation’s media industry. Several attempts to
establish respectable media outfits particularly
newspapers that would also give a strong voice to
Northern Nigeria in the country’s largely
information-based politics and economics have grossly
failed. The demise of hitherto promising outfits like
the “The Democrat”, “Citizen”, and the “The Reporter”
to mention but a few is a sad commentary any day. It
has been argued over and over again that one of the
factors responsible for the collapse of these
all-important institutions especially at this critical
period of our history is the poor reading culture in
the region occasioned by mass illiteracy which
invariably results in low patronage.
It is however an established fact that what the
average Northerner lacks in reading culture is made up
in an unsurpassed radio listening culture. There is
hardly a home in Northern Nigeria in which there is no well-established
culture of relying on the radio for information and entertainment. It is
however unfortunate that even this very important weapon of information
dissemination has been grossly neglected by our entrepreneurs and
politicians leaving the industry in the hands of government which in turn
use it as an instrument of propaganda and self-glorification. Thus the
average Northerner left with no credible alternative takes solace in
metropolitan media outfits such as the BBC, VOA, DW Radio and CRI among
many other such stations. Even though it is a fact that these outfits
provide a premise for opposition politicians in developing economies such
as ours to air their views at the same time, some of their programmes are
wrapped up in antics geared at the promotion and defence of their
paymasters’ ideologies and views about world affairs which are often at
variance with our inherited religious values, cultures and traditions.
It is in the midst of this difficult situation that an unprecedented,
gigantic and praiseworthy initiative was undertaken by one of North’s
prominent sons to provide an alternative indigenous and privately owned
radio station that will serve as a springboard for the furtherance of
Northern interest within the Nigerian polity. Since the station which
operates on the medium wave band KHz 747 came on air, it has successfully
carved a niche for itself as most radio listeners across the North see it
as a credible option to the status quo of radio broadcasting in the
region.
It is also on record that the success of the new
outfit has a direct relationship with the
steadfastness and total commitment of its pioneer
General Manager Mallam Shehu Yusuf Kura who
unreservedly brought his immense wealth of experience
and long-established goodwill and reputation as a
veteran broadcaster to bear on the new outfit. The introduction under
him of popular programmes such as “Kowane Allazi”, “Duniyar Finafinai”, “Sira”,
Kimiyya da Fasaha a Musulunci”, etc. no doubt added to the fame of the
radio station for as it is there is something for everyone ranging from
the youth and the aged, the male and the female, the learned and the
unlearned, etc.
Also special features such as perspectives on the life
and times of great Northern personalities like the
Late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa,
Mallam Aminu Kano and even the legendary Hausa
Musicians like the late Dr. Alhaji Mamman Shata and
Late Alhaji Musa Dankwairo all added spice to the
station’s activities and contributed to its increased listenership
across the region and beyond. Add all these to the variety of Ramadan
Tafsirs which gives all Muslims a sense of belonging and commitment to the
station irrespective of their sects within the religion as well as the
Sallah interactive programme which assembles various artists whom
listeners always long to see in flesh and blood.
Furthermore, as stated above, the ever-charming and
magnetic voice of Yusuf Kura makes the station almost synonymous to VOA
such that whenever the much-appreciated voice comes on air in programmes
like “Kowane Allazi” you hear listeners stating with delight “Yau Na Kura
ne da kansa!” (Today it is Kura himself that is presenting).
It is therefore with the deepest sense of displeasure
that the teeming admirers of Nagarta Radio received
the news of the feud between Kura and the Board of
Nagarta which led to his relegation to the rank of
General Manager (Operations) as reported by Leadership Newspapers which
itself is yet another commendable initiative towards addressing Northern
under-representation in the southern-dominated scene of Nigeria’s print
journalism. It is therefore pertinent to at this juncture call on the
Board of Nagarta to unreservedly forgive Kura for whatever “sins” he might
have committed in the course of his stewardship as no one, except God is
perfect. The fact that he sacrificed a well-paying job in the US to come
home and nurture Nagarta to its present fame is a rare demonstration of
sacrifice, brinkmanship, and sincere commitment to serve fatherland which
must and should always be praised and encouraged. The success of Nagarta
has always been a source of inspiration and pleasure to all Northerners
that the age-long jinx against Northern private initiative in the media
industry has been effectively broken. If therefore by any act of
commission or omission Nagarta is allowed to capsize, posterity will never
forgive us!
Published on Gamji.com
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