Malagi: A Fitting Elevation for a Deserving Media Guru
By Sani Danaudi Mohammed
The Nigerian Senate recently unveiled an interesting ministerial nominee in the person of Muhammad Idris Malagi, a PR icon, publisher and patriotic Nigerian.
President Tinubu had promised Nigerians to set up a government of inclusion and competence. Tinubu’s list also met the criteria of spread, professionalism, experience, exposure, geo-political balance and national cohesion.
One of those that have met these criteria in terms of experience and professionalism is Muhammad Idris Malagi.
Malagi was born on the 2nd of May, 1966 in Gbako local government area of Niger State. He had his primary education in Kontagora between 1971 and 1977. He then proceeded to GSS Rijau in 1977 and graduated in 1982. In 1983 he was admitted to study English Studies at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, where he graduated in 1987.
He had his master’s degree in the same discipline from the Bayero University Kano in 1995. He is a renowned Nigerian publisher, public relations professional and a politician.
Malagi is also the founder/chairman and publisher of Blueprint newspaper. He is also the Chairman of Abuja based Kings Broadcasting Limited, owners of WE 106.5 FM Abuja, Nigeria and Secretary General of Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN).
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He is a member of the All Progressive Congress and a governorship aspirant in Niger State for the 2023 general election. He however lost to the house of representative member Umar Bago. He was later appointed the director of strategic communications for the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Presidential Campaign Council.
In a most profound way, he is one Nigerian who understands the complexities and challenges confronting us as a nation. He will no doubt add value to the administration of President Tinubu being a publisher, public relations strategist with indepth knowledge and experience on critical issues in Nigeria.
He is being celebrated today for his contributions to the development and upliftment of our country. Tinubu was indeed painstaking in his choice of ministerial nominations.
All over the world today, we have history of successful media practioners emerging as outstanding leaders and politicians.
It is therefore gratifying to note that there are some media practitioners among the ministerial nominees.
Right from independence, the media did has not only played the role of information dissemination, but also play active roles in the political development of Nigeria and also in seeking political office as well as making success out of them.
In the pre-independence era, two prominent Nigerians stood out as media practitioners who were very active politicians: Sir Herbert Macaulay and Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, who became Nigeria’s first president at independence.
There are speculations that Malagi maybe the next minister of information. It is important to note that most of the past media handlers of the office of the president did not do a good job due to their lack of expertise in public relations. That is why the nomination of Malagi seems to attract public interest and confidence.
Danaudi, a public affairs analyst and columnist writes from Bauchi State via [email protected].
