Press Freedom, Yushau Shuaib And Okonjo-Iweala by Abdullahi Yunusa

The saying, ‘a golden fish has no
hiding place’ best describes the
personality of Malam Yushau
Abdulhameed Shuaib. A fine
gentleman, certified Public Relations
expert, professional pen pusher,
astute manager and thoroughbred
public affairs commentator.
Through his syndicated write-ups
mostly in the print media and online
sites, Yushau has not just become
readers delight, but has earned for
himself the sobriquet of a consistent,
fearless and meticulous social
commentator. Yushau dishes
humanity with the meal of fertile and
virile news, his own humble
contribution to Nigeria development,
peace and harmonious living. His
versatility in contemporary discourse
and sagacity in people-based
advocacy is never in doubt as he
comments deeply on issues relating
to the economy, politics, security,
science and technology, culture,
maritime as well as issues of general
interest with relative ease. According
to his close friends, Yushau derives
unquantifiable satisfaction when
people around him are well informed
on the happenings in the country
especially issues that are largely for
the well being of the masses. This,
they say accounts for why he has
committed his entire being and
resources to the business of writing
right from his undergraduate days.
Long before our paths crossed in
2011 courtesy of my bosom friend
and award winning Agricultural
reporter, Mohammad Baba Kandi, I’ve
always enjoyed Malam Yushau’s
critical but very incisive opinions in
national issues and online sites. It is
always a huge delight reading his
well-researched, objective and
balanced views on burning national
and global issues. He belongs to the
class of journalists and professionals
whose writings are driven by passion
for humanity and love for arts. Little
wonder his write ups are devoid of
sentiments and bias. Unlike other
writers, Yushau has proven times
without number that he cannot be
bought over, neither can he be
intimidated or pushed aside for
daring to stand on the side of truth.
At a time several of his colleagues are
compromising the highly respected
ethics of the journalism profession
mostly for pecuniary gains, Yushau
remains steadfast, incorruptible and
professionally-minded. Material or
monetary inducements are very
insignificant to influence his
decisions or make him to suppress
the dictates of his conscience. The
Yushau Shuaib that I know attaches
less importance to things with
ephemeral value, rather those things
with enduring values catches his
fancy. At a time many pen pushers
and other public affairs commentator
have shamelessly become tools for
peddling lies, falsehood and penning
stories aimed at boosting the egos of
their paymasters, Yushau has chosen
to tow the path of honour. You
cannot call him a blind or mercantile
writer. His conscience cannot be
bought, not even with dollar, pound
sterling, Euros or gold.
Our society is plagued by myriad of
challenges because those who know
are not willing to assist others who
don’t know. And without doubts, no
meaningful development can ever be
achieved in a society where people
don’t share information or are not
disposed to preparing others to
confront life challenges. He is a firm
believer in the saying that ‘stooping
before a dwarf won’t cost you your
height’. Giving others reasons to be
happy won’t deprive you of your
personal joy or happiness. These are
his guiding principles.
It takes more than mere interest and
passion for one to be devotedly
committed to a course. Writing is
such a demanding and herculean task
that many people prefer voicing their
views than putting pen to paper. Its
very boring and requires patience,
determination and discipline to adopt
it as a trade. It is a trade that comes
with its own peculiar challenges. It
takes someone who is really set to
undergo the rigours of reading,
reading, writing, writing and endless
trials to master the trade. In the
writing business, perfection is a
question of constant practice. And it
is in this regards that many aspiring
and ambitious writers get consumed
rather amateurly. For someone to
have remained consistent in this less
travelled path in the last 20 unbroken
years is a feat worth celebrating.
Malam Yushau Shuaib, though a
senior Federal Civil Servant is a
government official with a difference.
Eye service, laziness, indolence, red
tapism and other known vices which
have all become features of public
service in Nigeria cannot be found in
his activities. He handles official
assignments as though there were his
father’s. Little wonder, he has
continued to churn out several
articles to educate Nigerians on the
merits and demerits of government’s
programmes and policies. Driven by
extraordinary patriotism, he has
continued to portray government in
positive light in virtually all his
articles. Despite the fact that he is
not in the media team of President
Goodluck Jonathan, this patriotic
Nigerian has taken it upon himself to
purge Nigerians of erroneous views
about government activities through
his barrage of articles in national
dailies and on his Blog. If it were for
others, such assignments must be
rewarded with cash, but not Yushau.
When I recently read about Malam
Yushau’s alleged clash with Finance
Minister and Coordinating Minister of
the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
over an article the minister allegedly
felt the writer wasn’t fair to her and
several moves to ‘punish’ him, I
became so worried. My worries are
not because of threats of either
redeploying him to another office or
completely suspending him from
service, but the mere fact that
someone up there is trying hard to
use her office to maltreat a patriotic
Nigerian of Yushau’s standing. A man
who has continued to shape peoples
opinion through his brilliant writings
should be celebrated and not
tolerated. In saner climes where
leaders attach values to extraordinary
activities of their citizens, Yushau
would have long been drafted into the
President’s Media Team and not to be
so treated like an ordinary citizen.
What is Yushau’s alleged offence?
When has it become a crime for any
citizen to comment on issues capable
of causing disaffection among
Nigerians if left untouched? Nigeria,
being a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural,
multi-religious and politically
polarised nation certain issues
require to be handled with extreme
caution. For instance, appointment
into government establishments
remains a major issue that must be
handled with utmost care. It is
gravely dangerous to maintain sealed
lips on complaints of lopsidedness in
appointments to federal
establishments. It is the right of all
Nigerians of working age, irrespective
of tribe, religion, colour or political
leaning to be given the opportunity to
work. So, if it is discovered that a
particular part of the country is
getting more attention in terms of
federal appointments at the detriment
of others, it is the duty of those
concerned to cry out loud and clear
until the issues are resolved. And that
is exactly what Yushau has done.
Obviously, his resolve to draw public
attention to the alleged
‘Biafranization’ of our public service
is not to either incite others against
the Igbo nation or portray the
minister as an ethnic jingoist. Instead
of being shouted at and threatened,
Yushau should be praised for using
such a legitimate and responsible
avenue (media) to draw attention to a
looming problem. We are quite aware
of the obvious fact that most of our
problems are as a nation are fuelled
by disagreements arising from
sharing of our wealth and access to
positions of authority. We need not
turn deaf ears and blind eyes to those
things which have the potency of
destroying the bond that connects us.
Instead, we should put our all in
ensuring that we are constantly at
peace with each other. It is
instructive to note that if we allow
greed and selfish tendencies to be the
underlining motives behind our
actions, then we are preparing for
doom. Where is the sense in one part
of the country developing and
recording earth-shaking progress at
the detriment of other regions? Such
a prosperous region cannot possibly
enjoy its ‘wealth’ while other regions
are held down by excruciating poverty
and lack. A popular Yoruba adage
posits that, ‘A rich man in the midst
of a poverty stricken people is himself
a poor man’.
As Nigerians, what should pre-
occupy our minds should be what
can we do to collectively address the
plethora of challenges trying hard to
‘Somaliarize’ or ‘Sudanize’ our dear
nation? Clamping down on supposed
dissenting voices isn’t the solution.
Wielding the big stick on innocent
citizens who dare to address
perceived injustice won’t do us any
good, rather would only complicate
our woes.
Madam Finance Minister, Malam
Yushau isn’t a fifth columnist, not a
spoiler neither is he a mercantile
writer seeking for prominence by
‘damaging’ the hard earned reputation
of others. By every sense of it, he is
an accomplished and successful man.
He doesn’t need to defame or drag
others to the mud to be heard and
appreciated. It is normal for anyone
to feel bad when his or her reputation
is being questioned, but above all it
very okay when such a move is
aimed at correcting some obvious
anomalies.
This is not a paid write up. As a
matter of fact the last time this writer
saw this perfect gentleman called
Yushau was in 2012 in his office.
Since then, our meeting has always
been on phone (we’ve spoken twice
this year and exchanged two different
text messages). So for those who
think this writer is working for his
money should have a rethink.
Celebrated and iconic writers like
Malam Yushau Shuaib doesn’t have
to pay anyone to defend his course.
He has paid his dues.
He is an invaluable asset to Nigeria.
Let me at this juncture recommend
that this erudite PR man be drafted
into the President Goodluck
Jonathan’s media team. He has what
it takes to properly, professionally
and intelligently manage Mr
President’s media matters. For very
obvious reasons, the duo of Doyin
Okupe and Reuben Abati are
professionally disadvantaged to do a
pristine job. Yushau has
demonstrated his huge and unrivalled
PR and media acumen in notable
federal establishments in the past.
The records are there. He was at the
Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and
Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and now
at the National Emergency
Management Agency (NEMA) where
has taking media awareness on
natural disaster management and
preparedness to an unprecedented
heights. Those who want him out of
circulation should look beyond the
personality of Yushau and weigh the
consequences of his exit if shown the
way out. We cannot afford to lose a
thoroughbred information and media
man to sentiments and parochial
interests.

ABDULLAHI YUNUSA, Minna, Niger
State
Meetprofwills@yahoo.com