By Comrade Abbas Ibrahim
The name Sule Yau Sule surely rings a bell in Nigeria’s media space, particularly in Kano, where his multifaceted engagement with professional media associations and institutions has left a lasting impression.
His elevation to the rank of Professor therefore provides an appropriate moment to reflect on the journey of a man whose career has combined journalism, public relations, broadcasting, networking, public service and a remarkable commitment to people and professional associations.
I vividly recall Professor Sule Yau Sule during his days as Secretary of the Triumph Newspapers Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).where he then used his personal influence to enhance the welfare of members as confirmed by the then chairman of the chapel Salisu Ibrahim Fagge. The Triumph Chapel was particularly unique. It brought together media professionals from different parts of the country and from diverse ethnic and professional backgrounds, many of whom went on to make significant contributions to journalism.
Among them was the late Josephine Lohor, who served at various times as Assistant Secretary and Acting Secretary of the NUJ Kano Council during the tenure of Comrade Aminu Sa’ad Beli as chairman. Adieu, “Lady Joe” as she was fondly called by colleagues.
Those were memorable days when the NUJ Press Centre was full of life. The nearby Marhaba Cinema added colour to the social environment, while the youthful energy and comradeship among journalists made the profession an exciting experience.
I also remember senior colleagues such as Dan Okereke, Coral Ekwereche, C. O. Owolewa , David Ilori, and Umoro Ibrahim, DPO (still active) some of whom I worked as Government House Correspondents during the administration of Colonel Idris Garba as Governor of Kano State.
For me, however, my stay on the Government House beat was brief and somewhat uncomfortable. Even the complimentary bottle of soft drink and two fresh meat pies offered daily could not compensate for what I regarded as the real loss, being away from my Judicial and Crime beat, which I eventually returned to gladly.
The Press Secretary, Malam Muhammad Danyaro, was nevertheless reassuring. He recognised performance and, importantly, detested sycophancy.
Returning to the subject of Professor Sule Yau Sule, his professional networking has been particularly remarkable.
His footprint has extended across some of Nigeria’s important media and communication institutions, including the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and the revitalised Society of Nigerian Broadcasters (SNB).
His career in government also provided opportunities for him to demonstrate his professional competence. He served as Assistant Press Secretary to late Colonel Dominic Oneya, the then Kano State Military Administrator, and later became Director of Press to Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, where his influence and contributions were visible to the media community.
I recall, in particular, what became a memorable day for the NUJ in Kano when his efforts contributed to the provision of four Homa buses for the Kano State NUJ Council, Correspondents Chapel, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).
For members of the NUJ, it was a moment of celebration. Beyond institutional support, Professor Sule Yau Sule also facilitated vehicle assistance for some colleagues, with some beneficiaries reportedly still putting the vehicles to use.
What makes Professor Sule Yau Sule’s story particularly worthy of celebration is that his impact has not been limited to professional titles or organisational affiliations.
Over the years, he has quietly and openly touched the lives of numerous individuals through various forms of assistance, including support for people requiring medical treatment within and outside Nigeria.
During my tenure as Chairman of the Kano State NUJ Council, he donated a public address system and projector to the union. Such gestures may appear modest to some, but to professional associations operating with limited resources, they can make a significant difference.
His Ramadan engagements with journalists were also noteworthy. The support provided during the period, including what became popularly recognised as the accompanying “Item Two,” ensured that colleagues received something tangible during the holy month.
One other quality I have observed in Professor Sule Yau Sule is his accessibility. He has generally remained responsive to calls and appeals for assistance, without allowing professional status or political responsibility to create an unnecessary distance between him and people who seek his attention. He insulated himself from ” Sudden Power Disorder”
The impact of Professor Sule Yau Sule can also be measured through those he has taught.
I have had cause to interact with some of his former students, and their recollections of him have been overwhelmingly positive. Their testimonies suggest a teacher who did more than transmit knowledge, one who influenced lives and encouraged professional growth.
Today, his transition from the media and public communication arena into the higher academic calling of professorship represents not a departure from his previous contributions, but an opportunity to expand them.
His journey demonstrates that professional influence is not necessarily measured only by the positions one occupies, but also by the people one inspires, the institutions one strengthens and the lives one touches.
Of course, Professor Sule Yau Sule, like every human being, is not without shortcomings. No human being is perfect; perfection belongs only to Almighty Allah. But beyond individual imperfections is a body of work and a record of relationships that have made his contribution to the media community significant.
His footprints across the NUJ, NGE, NIPR, SNB and other professional circles are too numerous to catalogue in a single article.
His attainment of professorship is therefore worthy of celebration, particularly by those who have followed his journey from the newsroom and professional associations to public service and now academia.
As he enters this new chapter, the expectation is that Professor Sule Yau Sule will continue to deploy his experience, knowledge and vast professional network in advancing academia, the media, professional associations and humanity at large.
Congratulations, Professor Sule Yau Sule, on this well deserved academic feat.
May Almighty Allah guide you with wisdom, strengthen you for greater responsibilities and continue to make your knowledge and influence a source of benefit to the media profession, your students, your colleagues and society.
Comrade Abbas Ibrahim
Veteran Journalist and Media Practitioner
Email: abbasibrahim664@gmail.com