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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.
Ibrahim Khalil
Residents of Tsakuwa community in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area of Kano State have honoured 11 individuals for their outstanding contributions to the development of the town.
KANO FOCUS reports that the awards were presented during the 6th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Tsakuwa Mufarka Sustainable Development Association, held on Sunday at Central Primary School, Tsakuwa.
Among those honoured were the traditional ruler of the community, Sarkin Tsakuwa, Alhaji Isma’ila Santali Tsakuwa; the Chairman of the Tsakuwa Mufarka Sustainable Development Association, Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan Tsakuwa; and a retired headmaster of Central Primary School, Tsakuwa, Alhaji Mahmuda Shehu, who continues to offer voluntary teaching services to pupils in the community.
Also recognised was Alhaji Umar Muhammad Banupe, a Nupe businessman who settled in Tsakuwa and has become an integral part of the community. He was honoured for his significant contributions to the town’s development.
Alhaji Umar Muhammad Banupe receiving a certificate
Other award recipients included the Chairman of the Northwest Development Commission, Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji (Garkuwan Tsakuwa); the Commander of the Gombe State Hisbah Command, Malam Rabiu Idris; media practitioner Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim of Abubakar Rimi Television Corporation (ARTV); the founder of Tsakuwa Mufarka Sustainable Development Association, Malam Ibrahim Almustapha Sani; and Sulaiman Salisu Babah, among others.
Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan presenting a certificate to Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Speaking at the event, the Sarkin Tsakuwa, Alhaji Isma’ila Santali Tsakuwa, commended the leadership of the association for its commitment to community development and urged members to sustain their efforts toward improving the welfare of residents.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the association, Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan Tsakuwa, said the non-partisan organisation had prioritised interventions in education, security, and healthcare.
He appealed to members of the community to sustain their monthly financial contributions to enable the association to continue implementing development projects.
Earlier, a member of the association, Malam Abdullahi Wagadi, disclosed that the group generated ₦6.56 million through members’ monthly contributions over the past year.
According to him, the association spent ₦3.84 million on allowances for volunteer teachers and vigilantes, ₦564,000 on fencing the Eid prayer ground, and ₦1.255 million on the renovation of the community police outpost.
He further stated that ₦356,000 was spent on supporting Tsakuwa Model Primary School, ₦430,000 on scholarships for students, ₦700,000 on instructional materials, and ₦50,000 on health assistance for vulnerable residents.
Association Raises Over ₦2.1 Million at AGM
A major highlight of the AGM was the fundraising session, during which the association raised ₦2.143 million from philanthropists and community stakeholders.
Leading the donations was Alhaji Umar Muhammad Banupe, who contributed ₦500,000. He was followed by Hon. Mustapha Bala Dawaki, who also donated ₦500,000, while Hon. Abdulmumin Tijjani, popularly known as Mai POS, donated ₦200,000.
Other donors included the Sarkin Tsakuwa, Alhaji Isma’ila Santali Tsakuwa, who donated ₦100,000; the association’s chairman, Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan Tsakuwa, ₦200,000; Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji Garkuwan Tsakuwa), ₦100,000; and Malam Rabiu Idris, who also contributed ₦100,000.
The event attracted community leaders, stakeholders, and residents who commended the association for its contributions to grassroots development and pledged continued support for its programmes.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Health journalists in Kano State have inaugurated a new professional body, the Kano Health Journalists Network (KAHJON), aimed at strengthening media reporting and advocacy on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) and Primary Health Care (PHC).
KANO FOCUS reports that the network was launched during an Alignment, Coordination, Monitoring and Implementation meeting of media coalitions on gender-responsive RMNCAH and PHC, organised by the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH) in Kano.
During the inauguration, journalists unanimously elected Khadijah Aliyu of Radio Nigeria as Chairperson of the newly established network.
Other members of the executive committee include Mustapha Hodi Adamu of People Daily Newspaper as Vice Chairperson, Abdullahi Hassan of ARTV as Secretary, and Mustapha Salisu of Prime Times as Public Relations Officer.
Speaking at the event, the Programme Director of ISMPH, Mr. Solomon Dogo, said the establishment of KAHJON would help unify existing health reporting groups and improve media coverage of critical public health issues, including polio eradication, nutrition, maternal health, and primary healthcare services.
He congratulated the newly elected executives and expressed confidence that the network would enhance collaboration among media practitioners while strengthening health advocacy efforts in the state.
Dogo noted that similar health journalists’ networks are already operating in Lagos and Kaduna states, adding that development partners remain committed to supporting initiatives that promote public health advocacy.
Also speaking, ISMPH Programme Officer in Kano, Hajiya Sabuwa Yahaya, said the platform would improve coordination among journalists, enhance access to health information, and strengthen evidence-based reporting on health issues.
According to her, the network will also provide a stronger platform for advocacy and engagement with government institutions, development partners, and local communities.
The inauguration ceremony attracted goodwill messages from several development partners, including the Integrated Budget and Policy (IBP), LISDEL, CCSI, SANDHEF, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI).
Representatives of the Kano State Ministry of Health, the Drug Management and Consumables Supply Agency, and the Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency also attended the event.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which formally established the Kano Health Journalists Network and marked the beginning of a new chapter in health journalism and advocacy in the state.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
A House of Representatives aspirant for the Kura/Madobi/Garun Malam Federal Constituency under the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Alhaji Mahmud Tijjani Kura, has withdrawn his candidature and defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
KANO FOCUS reports that the development was disclosed on Saturday by a prominent APC chieftain, Alhaji Aliyu Lawan Dambatta, popularly known as Majidadin Dambatta.
According to Majidadin Dambatta, he led a delegation alongside the former aspirant to a meeting with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, during which Kura formally announced his decision to join the APC.
Majidadin Dambatta described the defection as a significant boost to the ruling party, noting that it would further strengthen the APC’s unity and political structure ahead of future elections.
He said the party remained committed to working collectively for the progress and development of Kano State and the country.
The APC stalwart welcomed Kura back into the party and expressed confidence that he would make meaningful contributions to its growth and the welfare of the people.
The defection is expected to add a new dimension to the political landscape in Kano State as parties continue to realign ahead of future electoral contests.
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