I read this morning with delight, the news that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Muhammad Sani Zorro, journalist, politician and former lawmaker as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs and Strategy, Office of the First Lady. The appointment is credited to a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu.

Although I got the news from sources that are credible, nonetheless, I chose to ply the path of the persuasive, by hearing from the horse’s mouth. So I put a call to Hon. Sani Zoro, who said although he is yet to receive a formal letter on the appointment, but on the strength of certain things, he can confirm the news, and by extension, the authenticity of the appointment. This is good for Aisha as the First lady, but best for Buhari as the President. And I would take time to explain.

For the office of the first lady, the importance of image making and media relations can not be over emphasized, more so for one like Aisha Buhari, whose tenure in office has come with complex circumstances. Aisha Buhari had been in the news for bad news too many times, and the need to change the narrative is extremely important, particularly at a time like now, when the regime is walking the road of shift or transition.

In a book edited by Dr.Lisa M Burns, a Professor of Media Studies, captioned, the Modern First Lady: From Jacqueline Kennedy to Melania Trump, where she examined the communication strategies first ladies and their teams have used to manage press and public interest in their private lives, to promote causes close to their hearts, and to shape their public image, Professor Burns gave scenarios and circumstances that seem similar to those of Aisha Buhari. The only difference may be is, Aisha is a Nigerian operating in Nigeria, while the rest are Americans that operated in America.

Unlike Jacqueline Kennedy, who was the first to have a staffer with the title “press secretary,” Aisha Buhari had inherited the office of the First lady with the full provisions for media teams and all the paraphernalia of the press in the office. But news from the grapevine said, she had a herculean task convincing President Buhari to permit her operate with the flamboyance of her predecessors.

PMB is known to be a modest and principled person that is not favourably disposed to ostentations, because they come with the attraction of exuberance and stylishness, which are distinctive features in the behaviour of his wife, Aisha Buhari, the First lady of Nigeria.

For Aisha therefore, she needs someone that is not only a professional journalist, but a polished politician that can sieve through her flamboyance, with a view to marketing her programmes at an acceptable balance. And in Hon.Sani Zoro, I see such qualities.

By virtue of his exposure and experience, Hon.Zoro has what it takes to manage the relationship between the First lady and the media, the role she is expected to officially play by her husband, and how best to circumvent the kind of catastrophic crisis suffered in the past by the First family. I therefore congratulate the two of them for the opportunity of going into a symbiotic relationship, that would be a win-win.

The coming of Zoro would also bolster the efforts of the President’s media team in whatever tactics they are using in spinning the government. As rightly observed by Mallam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity), “Zorro, a famous journalist brings to the new job decades-long experience in media practice, publishing and unionist leadership. He was at various times President, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, West African Journalists Association (WAJA) and the Federation of African Journalists, FAJ. He was in the House of Representatives, where he chaired the committee on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Refugees and Initiatives on North East”.

Anyone with such intimidating credentials, can help in reframing, or modifying the negative perception of the public about a regime, especially one that is on the last leg of exit.

Only yesterday, while playing host to members of the APC National Youth Lobby Group at the Presidential Villa, PMB asked his Chief of Staff and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), to ensure that all Ministers and Heads of agencies, include young people with the requisite skills and experience in all Boards and Committees of the Federal Government.

With the coming of Zoro, who is a skilled shepherd in the business of spin doctoring, at a shift period like now, when public trust in the government is shaking, amidst a growing perception of it’s lacking political inclusion, one can say yes, the road for collective buy-in, seems sign posted.

Ordinarily, I should say a big congratulations, but knowing the significance and seriousness of the assignment, I am constrained to submit a silent sympathy to Sani for now. The congrats would come later, after a successful tenure, which I am confident about it’s coming.
[12/02, 17:20] Bala Ibrahim: HASSAN MARAFA: MUSING AND MEDITATING AS WE MISS MAGNANIMIOUS MAGAJI.

By Bala Inrahim.

Irfan Mahmoud, a Professional Distress Tolerance Expert said, “Life is a mixture of good days and bad, victory and defeat, give and take, a fact that has to be accepted.”

While I was busy a few hours ago, writing an article on the appointment of a friend, Hon.Sani Zoro, as the Senior Special Assistant to the President in the office of the First lady, a sad news came in, that another friend, Hassan Marafa Danbaba, the magajin garin Sakwato has passed on. God is wonderful and can’t be wrong.

The sad news was in hausa and it reads, Innalillahi wa’inna ilaihirraji’un. Allah ya yi wa Alhaji Hassan Ahmad Dambaba, Magajin Garin Sakkwato rasuwa yau Assabar. Za’ayi jana’izarsa a nan birnin Sokoto a yau in Allah ya yarda. Allah ya gafarta masa ya haskaka makwancinsa ya kuma sa can ta fiye masa nan don hasken qur’ani. Amin ya Allah. Janaza 5:00 Pm insha’Allah at Sultan Bello Mosque.

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The Istirja as its called, is a Quranic command for Muslims, the simple meaning of which is, “Verily we belong to Allah and verily to him do we return.” If you know late Hassan Marafa Danbaba very well, you would attest to the fact that, the istirja was a familiar phrase in his mouth. Regardless of the situation, sorrowful or cheerful, Magaji was always quick to say, Innalillahi wa’inna ilaihirraji’un.
And today, someone has to utter it for him, as he left us musing and meditating in a period of reflection and thoughts of his magnanimity. God is wonderful and can’t be wrong.

Whoever interacted with the late Magaji, must have come across his peculiar character of frankness, comedy and a high sense of generosity. He was ever comically amusing, sometimes even in an absurd way. But even if he offends you through such sincere gestures, he was never apologetic, because his actions were always free from pretence or deceit. Yes, Magaji was genuine, generous and forgiving, especially towards those that are less powerful.

The English translation of the announcement as sent is, God has today taken the life of Alhaji Hassan Ahmad Dambaba, the Magajin Gari of Sakwato. His burial would be at 5pm, at Sultan Bello Mosque, in the city of Sakwato, by the Grace of God. May Allah forgive his sins and brighten up his grave, with the hope that the hereafter would be better than here.

Just few days ago I was with one of our senior friends and brother, and in the course of discussion, Magaji’s name was mentioned. As expectedl, we involuntarily, and simultaneously went into boisterous laughter. That’s always the reaction that comes with the mention of Magaji’s name. You just have to remember him for doing, or saying something characteristically funny or comical. Hassan was that humorous. As a Muslim, I know and believe that life is the beginning of death. And the African proverb says, “Death is like a dress that, at some point or another, everyone has to wear”.

About a year ago, Hassan’s mother, the second daughter of late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sakwato, wore her own dress. Hassan was devastated, because they were extremely close. And today, in his infinite mercy, the quality of mercy that God has, which no has, and which never ends, God has authorized Hassan to also wear his own.

May this dress of death remain brilliant on Magaji, and provide the cover for his shortcomings, pursuant to his passage to the best part of the heavens, ameen.
I have to stop here, because it’s 5 Pm now.

Cheerio, magnanimous Magaji.