Re: I did not misuse any money
The August 31, 2015 edition of Daily Trust carried a story under the above headline. It was a responsetoanaccusationlabelledagainst our renowned broadcasters and media administrators: Mallam Mohammed Ibrahim, former director-general of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) respectively, Dr. Tonie Iredia, Mr Timawus Mathias, a guru in journalism, Professor Umar Pate of the Bayero University, Kano, as well as a notable figure in the industry, Alhaji Ahmed Aminu. They were accused of embezzling the sum of N140 million while serving in the Steering Committee of the Jigawa Television (JTV). The accusation was made by the managing director of the media house, Ishaq Hadejia.
I am under obligation to put the record straight. Ordinarily, I would have allowed the matter to die naturally, but for the benefit of curious members of the public, there is the need to respond because all the people accused are of proven integrity. It is on record that they made their marks on the sand of history. I’m sure they made sacrifices by serving Jigawa State. For starters, it is important to state here that they were called by the immediate past governor of the state, Sule Lamido, to help in repositioning the television station to an enviable height. As it were, the former governor desired to bequeath a world class status to JTV.
For those who did not know, let me further state that Malam Mohammed Ibrahim is the district head of KanyaBabba in Jigawa State; Dr Tonie Iredia, Mr Timawus Mathias and Ahmed Aminu are successful media consultants, while Professor Umar pate is a highly respected academician. More so, apart from Professor Pate, none of these gentlemen is below 60 years, and none of them, including the professor, has an unwholesome quest for wealth accumulation. So it is highly embarrassing and ridiculous to malign these respected people.
I’m sure that the incumbent Governor Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar did not appoint the managing director for the purpose of vendetta. If he has personal scores to settle with these elder statesmen, let him tread with caution. Let him direct his inquiry to the Transition Committee established by Governor Abubakar. I have no doubt that he will get all the information he needs pertaining the funding and expenditure of the stateowned television station.
Honestly, I begin to wonder whose script the managing director is acting. As a new breed politician let me advise Ishaq Hadejia on the need to understand the dangers of blackmailing such highly respected citizens of this country. He should also understand that his actions and utterances are denting the image of the government he is serving. He is giving the impression that the present government does not appreciate great contributions from honourable people.