Tribute to a brother and mentor

Aliyu Musa

One of the few persons that instantly made a strong effect on me when I started work at Media Trust in April 2001 was Suleiman Ibn Mohammed. At Daily Trust I remember him, vividly, as someone the then Editor-in-Chief Malam Kabiru Yusuf often referred to as the fastest news storywriter in the house. But I remember him more for sticking out his neck for me, sometimes despite my own poor judgement.

Coming from a background in unionism plus over six years of rustication from university, I was easily given to rage. There were times I defied editors or refused to cooperate with colleagues because I believed I was unfairly treated. Once I had a big row with the late Jibril Daudu, Daily Trust’s editor at the time, over Page 10 Trust International illustrative pictures I wanted to use. I felt like storming out of the office to never return. But it was Malam Suleiman and the late Chief Internal Auditor – Malam Abdullahi that calmed me down.

Later on our way to Keffi following an invite he gave me for Iftar (to break a Ramadhan fast with his family), he patiently lectured me on the most important ingredient I needed to make a successful career in journalism – patience. I knew I lacked it but did not really mind; as much as I loved journalism, I had no plans to spend the rest of my life in a newsroom, I thought. I nonetheless listened to him with total interest, and it turned out to be a useful tool in my later expedition.

In 2003 I applied for a Chevening Scholarship and needed professional and academic references. My head of department at University of Abuja Dr Iro-Iro Uke kindly agreed to provide the academic one. At Media Trust I knew I could count on my managers to do the same, but because the requirement was less rigid I realized I could ask Malam Suleiman’s favour, and as the news editor he gladly wrote one that left my ego feeling bloated but candidly invigorated for a long but rewarding journey.

The interview was tough but I emerged from it intact. But at some meeting at Media Trust I heard that someone actually questioned the manner I went about the application, without officially seeking consent. I was told Malam Suleiman effectively countered that suggestion by insisting that by virtue of his position as my immediate supervisor he was aware and that he appended his signature as a referee, as part of the process. That put the matter to rest.

In 2004 I was in Sudan in honour of an invitation from Professor Ibrahim Ghandour through the Sudanese Embassy in Abuja. It came via an urgent message that had been faxed to the news editor on a lonesome late Friday afternoon. Daily Trust’s editor, Malam Is’haq Modibbo Kawu had travelled out of the town then. I was expected to travel the next day. The Sudanese Embassy was to process my visa the same day, while my air ticket was reserved. I wanted to go but was not sure whom to get an official seal of approval from.

After a quick chat with Malam Suleiman he suggested contacting the Editor-in-Chief on his mobile number. I did and not only got a go-ahead but Media Trust also gave me a contribution of $250 toward my expenses.

Upon my return a travelogue on my trip was published, which resulted in the editor directly accusing me of travelling without his consent and behaving as if ‘foreign desk’, which I headed, ‘was a separate paper’. His downright screams (at me) easily muted my attempts to explain my side of the story. I left his office with a promise to quit the job. Jibril Daudu, who had then become friendlier after losing his position, noticed my mood and quickly alerted Malam Suleiman who wasted no time in going to the editor’s office to set the record straight. The matter, again, was resolved quietly.

Al Jazeera had contracted me to make some documentaries for them in 2006 and I applied for visa for my cameraman but the Nigerian High Commission in London did not want to grant him. Each time I met a requirement they came up with a more difficult one hoping to frustrate me. But two friends offered to help and one of them, actually, asked Malam Suleiman if he was confortable with acting as a local referee for my British colleague, which was the requirement we were outlandishly asked to meet. He replied that he was more than happy to do anything to make my mission a complete success. Once again he was there for me.

Today, I mourn this man who was without doubt an accomplished journalist by every standard. His simplicity is what many would remember for a long time to come. I am deeply saddened by his death and pray Allah to forgive his shortfalls and reward him with al Jannat firdaus.