One of the then leading newspapers in Nigeria, The Democrat, contributed to the development of Northern Nigeria and the country as a whole. During the June 12, palaver, Democrat was one of the most reliable sources of news and these authentic news usually came through two investigative proprietors, Malam Ismaila Isa and Abidina Coomasie, coincidentally, these two gentlemen of blessed memory hailed from Katsina state.
They had helped in the stability of this nation through adequate authentic information on the state of the nation at the time. Malam Ismaila Isa, OFR, mni was a seasoned administrator, a front line politician, a humanitarian and the proprietor of The Democrat Newspapers. He was the sole financier of the paper despite the capital intensive nature of newspaper publishing in Nigeria.
In the 1990s advertisement in newspapers was scanty. Nevertheless, Kano Office of The Democrat Newspapers under the editorship of this writer and the foreign affairs analyst, Bash M Bash, lent a helping hand to the headquarters in terms of revenue generation. And this is just because the publisher encouraged us.
The publisher’s friends in Kano were also helpful. The included Dan Adalan Bichi Alhaji Isyaku Umar Tofa, late Alhaji Sale Jambo, late Alh Isyaku Mohammed, late Alh Audu Adhama, former Kano SSG Alh Ali Ahmed, late General Hamza Abdullahi and many others.
Construction companies in same business with the late Malam Ismaila Isa’s Bulet International were also supporting the paper all because of the father of the Democrat Newspapers Malam Ismaila Isa.
For what it achieve in responsive and responsible journalism, Malam Abdulhamid Babatunde is one who had amply demonstrated his professional prowess, skills and unrivalled courage in editing what was then regarded as a medium of communication second to none in the northern part of the country.
His penchant for uniqueness, competence and the capacity to live up to expectation had undoubtedly made him to command a credible persona among the editorial staff of the Democrat and equally hated by indolent staff, whose performance was below average.
Babatunde, currently a media consultant, was revered for his sound and apt editorial judgement, having found himself in a tasking and challenging position as one of the most respected and versatile editors of the rested Democrat newspaper, which appeal and wide acceptability was unprecedented.
For the personality of Malam Abdulkarim Albashir, whose remarkable stint in the journalism profession had been a subject of immense national discourse, he had also demonstrated his gluttony for perfection in effecting credible and sound editorial judgement, spectacular feat that made the Democrat newspaper a household name worthy of commendation.
His industry and pedigree as an astute public affairs commentator and respected columnist had endeared him to his keen listeners and readers who courtesy of their conventional wisdom rated him as a master cruiser.
For the proprietor and publisher of the paper, the late Malam Ismail Isah Funtua, he did what most t of the present day politicians are shying away from, he embraced all political friends that shared the same party ideology with him and political opponents. He interacted with all the political class, irrespective of party differences.
The present day Nigerian politicians have a lot to learn from late Malam Ismaila Isa. We can confidently say his support to humanity in general had no boundary, his helping hands had reached all parts of this country, he gave out without discrimination on gender, religion or tribe.
He employed large numbers of Nigerians from all parts of the country in his company, Bulet International Nigeria Limited. The company had undertaken federal projects in all parts of Nigeria. As a man with business acumen, he invested his hard earned fortunes in not only northern Nigeria but also in the Southern part of the country.
Contemporary politicians should emulate the virtues of late Malam Ismaila Isa, the father of the Democrat Newspapers, the father of the Nigerian Democrats, and a par excellence. He died on July 20, 2021 in Abuja. Our dear Baba Sama, may your soul continue to rest in perfect peace, Ameen.
Kabir Saidu Danladi, Blueprint Newspapers,
Kano Zonal Office,
Kano, Kano state.
