NPHCDA: Singling out Salaudeen for truth, honesty in retirement

Sa’adudeen Salaudeen recently pulled out as NPHCDA image maker, with his colleagues, friends and well-wishers harping on the truth element in his person. ABDULRAHMAN A. ABDULRAUF writes 

For 60-year-old Saadudeen Salaudeen, a reputable media practitioner with wealth of experience behind him, Friday, the 28th of June, would for long remain a day to relish.

On this day, SS, as fondly called by friends, well-wishers and acquaintances, was the cynosure of all eyes as he was celebrated after putting in several years into the service of his fatherland.

The venue was headquarters of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Abuja, where all converged to celebrate the media strategist and the agency’s head of public relations unit of the agency who took a glorious exit from service.

Salaudeen, who can simply be said to have  seen it all at NPHCDA,  was in the service of the agency for some 19 years, having started his  journalism career at the Kwara State Broadcasting Corporation (Radio Kwara) in the ’80 where he made it to the top as editor.

…At work place

It was time for tributes to start pouring in with his boss and NPHCDA Executive Director Faisal Shuaib  taking the lead.

Shuaib said:  “Everybody knows that Mr Salau has been a pillar of strength to the agency. For everybody who has been here and observed the work of Mr Salahu, he will leave us with a weakness in the system that will be very difficult to strengthen. For everyone here, I’m sure there are mixed feelings. Mixed feelings on account of the fact we wish him well, that he is actually into another vista of his life. In the last few weeks, I’ve seen a lot of excitement on his face, meaning that there are so many things out there that he’s going to do.

“It also means that we have to try and live without him being the foremost voice of this agency. In the last two and a half years (that I have headed the agency), Mr. Salahu has not only been the head of the PR Unit, but has also been a personal friend, he has been a strong voice for a lot of the innovative ideas that we’ve rolled out in the agency. If it makes sense to Mr. Salahu, it makes sense to the rest of Nigeria.”

As an indication of what the media guru means to the agency, Shuaibu said though Salaudeene was leaving, the agency  would still not let go of him as a window would be created to ensure he remains part of the out it.

 “Mr.Salahu is one person in the whole agency who does not shy away from the truth. He will say it as it is, no matter how bitter it is. He has a way of delivering the truth that is coated with sugar. It is only after you’ve licked the sugar that you begin to see the bitterness. But, he’s really guided you…

“I have not worried my head in the last two and a half years that I’ve been the ED about the press because he takes good care of that department. I do not know whether it is possible to get another Salahu in NPHCDA. I do not even think that it is possible to get another Salahu anywhere in this country because he has really created a brand that comes from being a thoroughbred journalist.

“We can only say thank you Mr Salahu for being honest, for being transparent and for being a genuine friend of NPHCDA. No matter what life throws at you, no matter what you do when you leave here, we have no doubt that you will continue to be a kind of string that binds things together because you have bound us together as a family,” he said.

And to the director of administration and human resource at the agency, Lami Abubakar, Slaudeen  was “big brother, mentor and confidant.”

She said: “I will really miss his guidance because he has always been a good counsel to me. He helped me through a major interview I had with a top personality immediately after my Master’s programme.

“Thank God, because not all our colleagues get to see this day. I wish you the best in everything and may Allah bless you for putting in your best into this organisation.”

For director, advocacy and communications of the agency,  Remi Joseph, the man of the moment is simply a gentleman.

“I know Alhaji Salahu as a gentleman. He is a father to many, he is a brother to all. If you are in any situation, you will find the best answer from Alhaji Salahu.”

…Odemije too

In a similar tribute, Salaudeen’s  age-long friend and  broadcaster of note, Mr. Godwin Odemijie,  recalled his friendship with the celebrator at the  Times Institute of Journalism in Lagos where they both learnt the art.

Odemije said: “We’ve been to many places together and to say the least, the relationship is cordial. One thing very unique about Salahu that has been emphasised again and again is that he is blunt, resilient and he knows his job thoroughly. Salahu is journalists’ delight.

“When you are looking for information and you go to Salahu as far as National Primary Health Care Development Agency is concerned, you are bound to get the true position. And that is the stuff he’s made of and the reason he is being honoured this way today.”

Yusuf, Bakare also…

Also extolling the virtues of the quintessential community leader in his own right, managing editor, northern operation, The Nation newspaper, Alhaji Yusuf Alli,  described the celebrator as  an upright individual.

He said: “As a journalist, I met Alhaji Salahudeen 30 years ago, in 1989. He is a truthful man and no matter who you are, he will tell you the truth. He has so much energy to do many things. He is a multi-task civil servant. He is honest, straightforward in whatever he does.”

Recalling their days in Ilorin where they both cut their professional teeth, Yusuf said, “In the beginning, the world is uncertain for all of us, but consistency is key. We believed in Allah that we will make it in life.

“Allah says you should continue to serve until He comes to thee. So that means there is no retirement. So take advantage and continue to serve humanity and God will be there for you.”

In his tribute, Tunde Bakare, a journalist and an O to gee (APC campaign slogan in Kwara) campaigner, spoke on Salaudeen’s readiness to always render a helping hand to whoever comes his way.

In a eulogy on a social media platform, Bakare said: “Today, I celebrate my mentor and mentor of many, Alhaji Sahadudeen Salahudeen as he retires from civil service. I beseech Allah to shower him with all his blessings as he has been a blessing to countless others in journalism and in life’s lessons.

“If you do not know Alhaji Salahudeen, nobody should begrudge you. He has never been an attention seeker. Yet, he has been the wind beneath many wings. But I know him. He is a man of strong personal convictions, a strategist and a humanist. Take it from me, Tunde Bakare, if anybody can lay claim to ‘ownership’ AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the governor, it has to be Alhaji Salahudeen. But you will never hear him say so. Why? He is not an influence peddler.

Only God knows how long Alhaji Salahudeen has enjoyed robust relationship with the AbdulRazaqs. If you are looking for a man who can look Ramoni (governor) in the eyes and tell him the truth, in or out of office, it has to be Alhaji Salahudeen.”

Appreciation

For the highly delectable Salaudeen, it was time to say ‘thank you all’ for the encomiums and tributes, which glaringly overwhelmed him.

The suave media manager said: “The compliments from directors, my friends and everybody here pouring out their hearts, I am grateful. I thank God for sparing my life, for keeping me healthy at a such at time.

“I want to thank all my colleagues, the directors, all members of the management, the retired staff of the agency, at the senior level and state. It has been wonderful for me for about 19 years that I joined the agency.”

“ In all places where I’ve had the privilege to serve, it’s been wonderful, it’s been exciting and it’s been memorable. I have a few that I went through their hands as my boss in various places and they made life very comfortable for me. So, when I joined this agency, I declared a philosophy to my staff that they will find it difficult to find an Oga (boss) in me that they will only find a family man. And that is the philosophy with which I’ve lived till today.”

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