Reminiscences With Alhaji Sani Kontagora
Alhaji Hassan Sani Kontagora, who holds the traditional title of the Magajin Rafin Kontagora, was a controversial figure in the late 1980s and 1990s when he published a news magazine, Hotline, in Kaduna. He disclosed how he got into publishing and shared his experiences and what made him controversial at that time. Kontagora, who will clock 70 years this month, is also the Ajiluse of Isanlu land in Kogi State. He also shared his views on the current happenings in Nigeria.
You were one of the first to start a weekly magazine in northern Nigeria; how did you come about the idea?
Honestly, it was not my intention or idea. It happened by accident. I was having an idea to set up a company and I came across Lawrence Obaje, a veteran journalist also. He was publishing a weekly newspaper he called Hotline. I was not even the person who named the magazine ‘Hotline.’ He came across me and he asked me to grant him an interview, which I did. Later, he came to me and said he would like us to be partners. He wanted me to invest at least 40 per cent shares in the paper, which I did. But before his coming, I understood he had his way of getting people to put money into what he was doing, but along the way he would look for another person.
When he came to me I was enlightened in a way that he could not do such a thing to me. His total investment was N100,000. That was around 1986-1987 or thereabouts. I told him we needed a lawyer so as to put it into writing. He agreed and we got a lawyer who helped us to put it in writing. I invested 40 per cent while he invested 60 per cent shares.
He was printing at Barnawa, but later, I was taking care of most things, including his office. I was the one paying his rent, light bills and even staff salaries. So after sometime I discovered that I invested almost N120,000 in the business, so I said, ‘Lawrence, you have 60 per cent shares but I am the one paying your bills.’ He said, ‘Yes.’
I told him that with the 40 per cent shares, I realised I had invested up to N160,000 in the business. I told him that I could not be taking the burden; hence he should either give me my N160,000 so that I would get out of the partnership or give me his 60 per cent for me to take over the company. He agreed for me to pay him, which I did.
What I want you to understand is that during that time, it was not about the paper or the name of the paper, it was about the person. The moment I took over the paper it was no longer the Hotline of Lawrence Obaje, it became the Hotline of Hassan Sani Magajin Rafi. I turned the first edition I did into a magazine. That was all.
How many editions did you publish before you paid him off?
I can’t remember that, but when we are done I will show you some of the copies. I had a lot of staff. My first editor was the elder brother to the current governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal. That time, he was working in the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) but I told him to come and work for me. We joined hands and that was how we started.
What were the challenges you faced publishing a magazine in northern Nigeria?
At that time there was anger and people were looking for those who could come out to say it as it was. That was the only magic I used - I was ready to say it as it was. My only focus was to protect northern interest, and in doing that I tried to explain it in a way that people could be convinced. This was how we succeeded.
There were many media organisations as we have today, but you would see people waiting for a week to read Hotline. In fact, it was not even the magazine that was an issue, it was the Publisher’s Corner. It was my corner where I said whatever I wanted to say. Some people would buy the paper and open the Publisher’s Corner to read before going home to read the rest.
What was the Publisher’s Corner all about?
It was my own views about certain issues. All I wrote there were my views on and analyses on issues; that was all. That was why people didn’t care about the editor-in-chief; they saw whatever Hotline published as what Magajin Rafi said.
That means your personality was superimposed on the publication itself. Did you like it that way?
My editors and reporters knew that whatever issue we were going to talk about we looked at it critically and sincerely. That was my stand because I knew that whether I liked it or not it had to be me. Sometimes even when a reporter filed a story, people would not attribute it to him. The moment they saw a report in Hotline they would attribute it to Magajin Rafi. This is what has been following me till date.
Can you recall how many copies you were selling?
To be honest, it was not as you people are doing it now - checking everything, and you have computers. We published, but sometimes if we discovered that the edition was hot, we would republish. My concern was not how much I made but how many we circulated. Even the circulation and some of the advertisements were done free of charge. The paper became popular because it featured current news. Any prominent person that died in the North you would get it in Hotline. Any prominent person that was turbaned we didn’t go to him to pay, we would just publish it.
There was a time you landed into trouble over a publication during the Abacha era and you were detained. You suspended the publication of the magazine when you came out. What actually happened?
What actually happened was that I’m Hassan Sani and Hotline was Hotline. Whatever happened to Hotline was Hassan Sani because people didn’t see it as a company that could be sued, and that Hassan Sani could be separated from the company and sued differently.
We normally went to banks to get money and pay gradually, just like any other business. I was not arrested because I did something wrong; they said it was because Hotline was owing money in a Kaduna bank. I was just here when they phoned me My editors and reporters knew that whatever issue we were going to talk about we looked at it critically and sincerely. That was my stand because I knew that whether I liked it or not it had to be me. and said I should come. I knew there was a problem because it was the Abacha era. A lot of people believed I was a surrogate of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB). Whether I like it or not, IBB is my brother and there was no way I could convince people that he was not in the knowledge of what I was doing. This is because people knew us to be together and there was nothing anyone could do about it. When Abacha came, they were asking people to pay back the money they collected from banks, so I was asked to return the money collected by Hotline. I told them that it was Hotline that collected the money and they said I was the Hotline. I remember I also had money with the state governor then, but I went and got some money, which I gave them, but they said they wanted the remaining money. I told them I collected the money based on the understanding that I would be returning it gradually, but they said no. They took us to a police station behind police college. I gave them a N500,000 cheque. They asked me to go and clear it, but I told them it was a draft cheque. They said I should wait until they cashed the money. So we waited, together with the bank manager, Usman Daura and eight others. About 5am we saw three cars which came to take us to Lagos. We reached Lagos around 10pm. As soon as we entered they took us straight to Alagbon Close.
How many days did you spend in detention?
I was lucky I spent only 10 days before I was bailed and released. But I left some of them behind.
How much was the total money you collected from the bank?
The total money was N5. 5million.
So your detention had nothing to do with a story you published as was widely believed?
If something happens to you now, whether you like it or not, people may say it is because you work for Daily Trust.
Was it IBB that bailed you out of the financial problem?
I told you I was arrested, detained and after 10 days I was released. So, whether it was Babangida or not, that is not your business. You don’t expect that if you are my younger brother I would abandon you if you are in problem. Is that possible? So whether it was him or not that bailed me out; it was him. Whether I was bailed by someone else, it was him still.
You were born in Kaduna, how was school in those years?
I was born in Kontagora, but my father was a broadcaster in a radio station. From Zaria he moved to NBC Kano. So we followed him from one place to another anytime he was transferred.
I started school in Abubakar Imam School, Zaria, then moved to Kano. But I was later asked to return to Kaduna. He later decided to move us to Kontagora to settle.
It was in Kontagora that I reached up to senior primary school. After that he brought us back to Kaduna in 1960. I was in Kaduna up to the end of 1962. I took common entrance examination and got two schools, Provincial Secondary School, Suleja and Government College, Bida, but my father decided that I should go to Bida. My mother was from Suleja, so he said he would not allow me to school there because she might be coming to see me in school and that would not allow me to concentrate. So I went to Bida in 1963 while IBB and the rest of them left in 1962. They just left in December and we entered in January 1963.
So you didn’t meet IBB in school?
I didn’t meet him in school.
You later went to BUK?
Yes. I left Bida after my Higher School Certificate (HSC). Normally, if you were done you either went to work or teach in school,. That time we were in the northwestern state so I decided to teach in secondary school in 1970. After that I went to Bayero College, which was affiliated to the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU). It was later that they changed the name to Bayero University, Kano (BUK). But during our time it was Bayero College.
Were you involved in unionism in BUK?
Looking at me, is there anything you think I would not be involved in?
How was it like then?
It was good. I enjoyed Bayero and I am happy with what happened there, even though I was asked to go back and repeat some courses.
Anywhere I am, I normally want to show myself. It is natural with me and there’s nothing anybody can do about it. So I am always the focus of controversy anywhere I am, as long as it is positive. Many people thought IBB was the person sponsoring me because my best friend was the late UK Bello, his ADC. We were friends even before he became ADC. But when he became ADC I had to be going to Lagos to see him. If I met him I would also see IBB.
Babangida treated me as any elder brother would treat his younger one. IBB was not just a big brother, he was like a father to me. This is because what he did for me can only be compared to what a father can do for a son.
Was it UK Bello that introduced you to Babangida?
I said IBB was like a brother to me. We grew up together in Minna with my uncle, the late Madakin Kontagora. He is from Wushishi, which is part of Kontagora. Our parents were all together. We didn’t meet by accident, we are related.
So you knew him before he became president?
Exactly.
Where did you meet UK Bello?
We met in secondary school. He was my classmate from 1963 to 1967. He was the son of the late Sarki Bello of Paiko. We were best of friends and we all met there and grew up together.
There was a time you ventured into politics, what was the experience like?
I said IBB was like a brother to me. We grew up together in Minna with my uncle, the late Madakin Kontagora. He is from Wushishi, which is part of Kontagora. Our parents were all together. We didn’t meet by accident, we are related.
Honestly, that was when I understood what politics is all about. It was then that I knew people like me could not be in politics because you have to mix politics with deception, lies and so many things. I am somebody who always wants to be straightforward. I am not perfect, but I always want to do my best in whatever I am going to do. I first decided to join the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).
My brother, Mustapha Bello wanted to contest the governorship seat under the PRP in Niger State. He came to me because I was close to Balarabe Musa, but after the primaries I found out that they were trying to scheme me out. They were able to convince Balarabe Musa to bypass me. So as soon as the PRP was not able to give me the Senate seat, I left. The United Nigeria Peoples Party (UNPP) asked me to come and contest. We did the primaries and they said it was my brother, AIG Nuhu Aliyu that secured the ticket. After that, I packed my things and moved back to Kaduna.
You didn’t try to re-contest?
No, that was the first and last time. I don’t think I am the type that would say things in the night and later change it in the day.
After your magazine closed down, so many papers came up in the North; would you say that these papers are doing what you would have done if you had sustained your magazine?
To be very honest, I was focused to do what Afenifere was doing to the North, which is not what the northern papers are doing today. I think you should compare me to Afenifere. They were solemnly behind their people and I was solemnly behind my people too. That is why in my editorial you would find people across board as long as you were a northerner. My objective was to protect my own people just like they were protecting their people. So I don’t see any reason why somebody would say I was wrong. I was not trying to say I am better than you, but only saying I’m equal to you.
So there was no plan to give your magazine a national outlook and you are happy with that?
I am happy to protect my people, just like Sardauna was happy protecting his people.
Why did you stop publishing?
I told you what happened after the incident of Abacha who came to accuse me. I also went for a senatorial seat, and so many things. I found out that I didn’t have money and there were so many forces around, which I won’t tell you because I don’t think it is for Daily Trust’s consumption. This is what happened. You see, the problem of the North is a question of having someone to come forward and see it the way it is. It is only in the North that you find a Christian and Muslim coming from the same family. My best friends in school were Christians. I was not brought up to show preference based on religion. My religion says I should treat everybody equally, sincerely and in honesty. We lack people who can come out to say it as it is, not based on religion.
The North is divided along religious lines, which shouldn‘t be. If something happens we should be strong enough to say this is how it should be. There is no community you go to in the North without seeing a Christian or Muslim. We need people who can speak out.
People are shouting Buhari, but it is not about him. Even if you ride on Buhari’s back you will fall, as long as you are not doing what he is doing. So it is not enough to say I’m in the All Progressives Congress (APC); people are now wise enough to know who you are. If you don’t do anything, even if you are in the APC they will vote you out. We lost the glory we used to have. We should do justice to everybody as we want others to do to us.
What is your view on the current political happenings in the country? Those contesting the presidency are from the North.
This is our problem, and this was where I disagreed with our past leaders. When General Abdulsalami Abubakar left, they shouldn’t have brought Obasanjo from prison to make him president. Alex Ekweume should have been made president, not Obansajo. If Ekwueme was made president, all these things wouldn’t have happened. Ekwueme was good and loyal to Shagari. He was loyal to us and everybody.
Why should we bring Obasanjo who was a military president and was not even outside with us? He was in prison and they went there to bring him out and made him president when Ekwueme was there. That was the right time to have an Igbo president. If we had done that, all these problems we have found ourselves in wouldn’t have been there. Obasanjo knew that Umaru Musa Yar’adua had a terminal disease and that he may not last more than two to three years. The best thing for him was not to bring somebody from Bayelsa but somebody from the South-East as vice president. He should have brought somebody from Anambra, Imo or Enugu. If he had done that, by the time Yar’adua died, an Igbo man would have been the president. The thing is clear, but we don’t want to say it, and that is why we have a problem. I once said it and some people came out to sacrifice me, but that’s the truth. That mistake of Obasanjo in bringing Jonathan instead of an Igbo man and the mistake of bringing Obasanjo to be president is affecting us now. Whether we like it or not, these three major tribes - Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo - will continue to be a major dominant factor in our politics. This is what is bringing all these defections; everybody wants to come to the centre.
What is the way out?
You are trying to add 2+2+1 to get six, but you will never get there. You have to add 2+2+2 to get six. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is there and he is good, whether you like him or not. But then, if Buhari leaves, what would you do with Osinbajo? Would you ask him not to aspire to be president? If you do, then he has to agree first. He has the right because he is the vice president. If he is magnanimous enough to say he would not seek the position in order to move the country forward, that would be fine.
If not, it is the same arithmetic that we will be doing, looking for the number, Six.
What do you do now for a living?
Well, at my age, I don’t see myself moving around doing something dishonest. I cannot be a contractor because there’s no contract now that is honest.
You did not go into farming?
That is what I was looking for money to start, but right now, I am not doing anything. I am only trying to find something to eat. I am okay, and whenever my friends and brothers come around once in a while, they help. I thank God.
Would you encourage your children to go into publishing?
I don’t know; but it is a choice they have to make. My father was a broadcaster while I was a publisher. So you don’t tell your son to do this or that because everybody has his destiny. If you see somebody taking a certain direction, allow them because they are not the ones doing that; it is God. Allow them to make their choices as long as they are not doing something wrong.
What are your hobbies? I can see you love sports.
Yes, I like sports. In 1988, I formed a national club, and through that I decided to register a Federation of Youth Club under the then Nigeria Football Association (NFA). It was signed by Abiola’s daughter and Ibru. I brought Ibru to Kaduna.
What is your favourite food?
I eat anything that comes my way.