Ismail Mudashir
On Sunday, I was accompanied by Ibrahim (my brother), Mudashir, and Ismail (my sons) to the wedding fatiah of Zahraddeen Yakubu Shuaibu and Mabarukah Abbas Salihu. The wedding took place at the Kurna Tundun Fulani area of Ungogo LGA, Kano State.
I first met Zahraddeen in 2013 when I was the regional editor of the Daily Trust Newspapers in Kano. Zaharaddeen, pursuing a diploma program, visited my office behind the Kano International Trade Fair Complex to seek placement for a four-month industrial attachment. He came with two other students, Khadija and Ismail, who were also seeking placements.
As we only had two slots left for interns, I decided to subject them to a 30-minute test. Zaharaddeen scored 65 marks, while the other two trailed behind. He and the person who came second were selected, marking the beginning of an enduring relationship.
Zaharaddeen, a curious and eager learner, maintained the relationship after completing the four-month attachment by keeping in touch with me through phone calls and text messages. After finishing his diploma, he enrolled in a degree program at the Bayero University Kano (BUK).
In 2018, he reached out to me when he was to be mobilised for the NYSC, seeking to serve at the headquarters of Daily Trust Newspapers in Abuja and under my supervision. I told him of the possibility of him serving in Daily Trust but not under my supervision as I was attached to the State House, a restricted place that one can only access with accreditation or tag.
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However, when the posting was released, he was deployed to Kebbi State. After the three-week orientation program at the NYSC camp he requested redeployment to Abuja. In Abuja, he was deployed to Daily Trust under the supervision of Malam Hamza Idris, the then Group Politics Editor.
Coincidentally, barely a month later, Malam Hamza was promoted to the General Editor, and I was redeployed from the State House to succeed him. Thus, Zahraddeen completed his one-year service under my supervision.
During his time at Daily Trust, Zahraddeen endeared himself to everyone in the newsroom through his dedication, commitment, and curiosity. Upon completing his service, he was retained. Because he was always in possession of my ATM cards, he was nicknamed SA spending by colleagues in Daily Trust’s newsroom. He is an honest and truthful young man.
On July 23, 2023, I left Daily Trust Newspapers to take the position of Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator (Dr) Barau I Jibrin, CON. Courtesy of His Excellency’s benevolence, Zahraddeen joined me in August.
Just as in Daily Trust, Zahraddeen has earned the respect of colleagues in the Deputy President of the Senate’s office and beyond due to his very respectful and calm personality.
Please join me in wishing him a blissful married life. May Allah SWT bless their union with all the good things in life. May Allah bless you all. Amin Ya Allah.
Ismail Mudashir is special adviser to Deputy Senate President on Media and publicity Barau I Jibrin
