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Umar Sa’idu Tudun Wada hinted about his death a week earlier – Driver
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Umar Sa’idu Tudun Wada, veteran journalist and media administrator who died on June 30, 2019 had a premonition of death a week before he died, according to his driver.
In this exclusive interview with Kano Focus marking the anniversary of the late journalist’s death, Ado Gama aka Ado Gauta said Mr Tudun Wada started bidding farewell to this world a week before his death.
“He looked at his children who followed him outside to bid him farewell as he set out for his last journey and said to me ‘Ado I pity these children.’ I was stunned and asked what he meant.”
“He said ‘I will not live long with them, and I wonder how their lives would be after my demise’.”
“A day after, while I was driving him he told me ‘Ado I think I’m going to die’
“I was taken aback and offered to proceed to hospital if he was feeling ill but he just muttered that it was okay.” Mr Gama recalled.
Most shocking
Ado Gama said what shocked him the most were the words the late UST – as he was popularly known – spoke to his new born baby four days to his death.
“It was on Wednesday four days to his death that I drove him to Abububakar Rimi Television where he had a program.” He said.
Mr Gama said while UST was in the studio his wife called to inform him that she was going to hospital as she was due to deliver.
He said after the program, he drove the late UST to the hospital where they found that the wife had already delivered a baby boy through Caesarian section.
Mr Tudun Wada, according to his driver took the baby in his hands and spoke to it.
“He said ‘boy, you come to the world in a situation where I will not see you grow, and you will not receive my personal upbringing’.”
“We all glared at him in shock” Mr Gama said.
According to the driver, the late UST’s wife protested his assertion but he just left the hospital in silence.
How he died
The late media administrator left for Abuja the next day and returned to Kaduna by rail four days later.
“I drove to Kaduna with his car and picked him up together with his wife and daughter.
“We stopped at Zaria, prayed Zuhr, and took some lunch before heading to Kano.
“He fell asleep before we reached Kura.” Mr Gama said.
He said the crash that killed Mr Tudun Wada occurred at Kura town some few kilometers to Kano metropolis.
“As I was driving, I saw a motorcyclist coming head on and I tried the break but was unable to stop the car.
“I therefore swerved and hit the demarcation dividing the dual carriage road but the car tumbled twice and landed on the other side of the road.” Mr Gama said.
The driver added that he came out safely and onlookers helped him to bring out his passengers who were wounded.
“When Umar was brought out I thought he was sleeping but after we were rushed to hospital he was pronounced dead and I fainted instantly,” said Mr Gama.
His kindness
Ado Gauta said he was Umar Sa’idu Tudun Wada’s driver for over 18 years.
“I knew Umar Sa’idu Tudun Wada better than many people, he became like a university to me.
“He treated his children like friends and taught them to respect people who are poorer than them.
He said domestic workers were free to scold late UST’s children if they found them misbehaving.
Brief profile
Umar Sa’idu Tudun Wada was the deputy president Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE).
He worked with the Nigerian television Authority NTA and Kano state-owned CTV 67 before moving to the Hausa service of Deutsche Welle (DW).
He also worked with the Voice of America (Hausa Service), Freedom FM Kano, Radio Kano, and Dandalkura in Maiduguri, Borno State.
He served as media aide to Kano state governors Rabi’u Kwankwaso, and Abdullahi Ganduje, as well as Ibrahim Shekarau while he was a gubernatorial candidate.
Mallam Umar Saidu was the immediate past Managing Director of Kano State Radio Corporation and also one time Editor, Concern Magazine.
He also served as Secretary, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kano State Council.
He was also very active in online forums such as Ra’ayi Initiative and Dandalin Siyasa.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) in the last general elections, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has strongly condemned the killing of 16 Northern travelers in Uromi, Edo State, calling for a thorough investigation and swift justice.
KANO FOCUS reports that the victims, mostly Hausa hunters, were reportedly traveling from Port Harcourt to Kano for Sallah celebrations when they were attacked by a mob and falsely accused of kidnapping.
Senator Kwankwaso, in his Facebook post, he described the incident as barbaric and emphasized the right of all Nigerians to travel freely without fear of harassment or intimidation.
“I am concerned by the harrowing display of mob injustice on 16 travelers from Northern Nigeria in Edo State. This tragedy, which unfolded on March 27, 2025, in the Udune Efandion community of Uromi, is another sad reminder of the barbarity of jungle justice.”
He urged authorities to launch a full-scale investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“While praying for the repose of the victims, I extend my condolences to their families, the Kano State Government, and other affected states,” he added.
The condemnations from Kwankwaso adds to the growing demands for justice and accountability following the gruesome killings.
The Edo State Government and security agencies are expected to conduct investigations and prosecute those responsible to restore public confidence in law enforcement.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Police Command has banned all Sallah Durbar celebrations across the state ahead of the 2025 Eid-el-Fitr festivities.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Adamu Bakori announced the ban while addressing journalists at the Bompai Police Headquarters, citing security concerns and the need to prevent potential unrest.
According to CP Bakori, intelligence reports indicated plans by certain groups to disrupt the Durbar festivities and create instability. After consulting with the Kano State Government and other key stakeholders, the police command deemed it necessary to prohibit the event.
“In pursuit of a safe and secure celebration, and to maintain peace and public order, the command, in collaboration with other security agencies, has assessed the rising tensions and uncertainties surrounding the Durbar activities,” Bakori said.
“Following credible intelligence reports about plans to use the Durbar as a proxy for unrest, a ban has been placed on all Durbar activities throughout the state during the 2025 Eid-El-Fitr Sallah celebrations.”
The police commissioner urged worshippers to conduct their Eid prayers only at designated praying grounds and adhere to security guidelines, including: Avoid carrying unnecessary objects that may cause suspicion. No horse riding (Kilisa), car racing, or reckless driving. Parents and guardians should caution their children against involvement in any disruptive activities.
The public is advised to avoid actions that could lead to a breach of peace or breakdown of law and order.
CP Bakori assured residents that adequate security personnel would be deployed to ensure a peaceful Sallah celebration.
“As we celebrate this joyous occasion, let us prioritize peace above all else, set aside our differences, and unite as law-abiding citizens for the progress of our state and nation,” Bakori urged.
He also encouraged residents to report suspicious activities to the police via emergency contact numbers: 08032419754, 08123821575, and 09029292926 or through the NPF Rescue Me application.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The deputy governor of Kano State, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, has flagged off this year’s Ramadan feeding programme with a target to supply 91 thousand plates of food per day across all the designated areas in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that Gwarzo, who is the Chairman of the 2025 Ramadan Feeding Programme, expressed satisfaction with the smooth takeoff of the initiative.
The ceremony took place at Dandali Centre, Fagge Local Government Area, where the deputy governor urged the catering companies involved to ensure the timely and efficient delivery of meals to all feeding centers to achieve the programme’s objective.
Accompanying the Deputy Governor were the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, the Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Shelkh Tijjani Auwal, and other top Government officials.
A statement by Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, said, since the assumption of office by the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)-led government in Kano State, under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, the state government has institutionalized the initiative to support vulnerable residents by providing them with daily iftar meals during the holy month of Ramadan.
“This annual programme is a humanitarian effort aimed at easing the difficulties faced by fasting Muslims.
“The state government has approved the 2025 Ramadan Feeding Programme, with 91 designated feeding centers across the state. The initiative will cater to 91,000 people daily for 27 days.
“To ensure the effective implementation of this year’s programme, catering service providers have been engaged to prepare and deliver 91,000 plates of food per day across all designated centers,” Waiya said.
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