I was highly excited when Ado Salisu, my former colleague at the Triumph Publishing Company who is now with the Abubakar Rimi Television mailed an electronic copy of his daughter’s Wedding Fatiha Invitation to me Wednesday last week.
My happiness and excitement after receiving and reading the content of the invitation were first to congratulate the bride’s father for seeing this wonderful time which is a dream and hope of every parent to see.
And secondly, the gathering will serve as an opportunity to reunite with so many people I have lost touch with, especially those I knew many years ago in the sports sector of the state but lost contact and touch with for a long time due to my unceremonial exit from the sector.
Remembered that ever since our company, the Triumph Publishing Company, was shut down abruptly in 2012 and got myself out of the sector when I was transferred to academic circles, I lost touch with so many people in the state sports sector.
And for sure Ado’s invitation will serve as a chance for me to see and exchange pleasantries with many of them because I know for sure they will be there to celebrate with him putting into cognizance that Ado is a man of the people.
Another advantage Ado’s invitation will serve me, is to come face-to-face with my brethren in sports journalism who I always referred to as the new generation of sports writers who now form and control the Kano chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).
What is certain or sure is that I know them all but by their names and not physically. I have never seen most of them. I only know most of them by their names through their different sports programs in their respective media stations.
But I must say clearly that my presence at the Ado’s daughter’s wedding Fatiha has paid off handsomely in some areas because I have seen those I presumed to see but also failed in others areas because some did not come.
I was very happy to come face-to-face with some big names and big time sports administrators like the former Nigeria Football Association chairman who was also the immediate past Executive chairman of Kano State Sports Commission, in person of Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima.
The former Director of Sports as well as the former chairman of Kano Pillars Football Club, Alhaji Tukur Babangida, former Director of Sports, Alhaji Ibrahim Abba and the former chairman of Kano Pillars Football Club Supporters Club, Alhaji Ayuba were there.
I was also able to see the present chairman of Kano Pillars Football Club, Alhaji Babangida Little, some members of his management board and some that I cannot remember their names.
I was in contact with the former Managing Director of the Triumph Publishing Company who was also the former permanent secretary of the ministry of information, Malam Muhammadu Danyaro and even have some fruitful and interesting discussions with him. The former commercial manager of the Triumph Publishing Company, Malam Muhammad Adamu was present too.
Former and present staffers of the Triumph Publishing Company were not left out as they formed the greater number of those that answered Ado Salisu’s invitation.
From what I witnessed, the Triumph staff showed that Ado Salisu is one of them because they trooped in numbers.
In fact, this space will be too small to name all of them. Those I can remember seeing are Aliyu Umar, Bala II, Najib Lawan Dambazau, Taiwo Yusuf, Muhammad Sadiq, Aliyu Marafa etc.
My only worry was the absence of present and former commissioners of information Baba Halilu Dantiye and Comrade Muhammad Garba. But I know their absence will not be unconnected with their tight schedules.
That of Garba Shehe, Ali M. Ali, Mahmoud Adnan, Kabiru Muhammad Gwangwazo also displeased me too.
I was able to see my primary school classmate (Army Children School, Kano) who is also the state chairman of the Kano state branch of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Malam Abbas Ibrahim and many other senior journalists in the state like Salisu Biso, Muhammad Salisu Rabiu and many more.
Those I did not see at the event which irked and disturbed me most were the members of Ado’s constituency, that is, members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) both state and national.
That really surprised me because I thought it was an occasion all of us, especially those into sports journalism in the state and the country, should be proud of and be part of the historic occasion because their senior colleague is giving his daughter’s hand in marriage.
For the absence of the members of the national body, one may connect it with the high cost of transportation or the ongoing Nation Cup as most of them were reported to be in a faraway Cote D’Ivoire covering the event.
But the absence of our National Vice President (North) of SWAN, who is visibly, healthy and hearty in town was surprising as I expected him not only to be the representative of the national body but also come to the occasion with special gifts for the bride from the national body.
I am waiting for an explanation from him because Ado was a national officer many years ago, the national body needs to do something handsome for the bride.
Equally, I am at loss why I did not see any member of Kano state chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) despite the fact that Ado is a bonafide member of SWAN his Kangaroo suspension notwithstanding.
Kano SWAN members must know that Ado Salisu was an exco of the association many years ago, he was the vice chairman of the association in the state many years ago and he was also the state chairman of SWAN many years ago. Besides, Ado Salisu was a national vice chairman of the association many years ago too.
So their absence spoiled my show of getting to know them physically by their appearances. I thought it would be an occasion to see ourselves, socialize and even establish a relationship.
As I stated before, I only know them not by their true looks but by their names which had it been they came, we could have known ourselves and even exchanged our contacts. It is certain that the chance to see ourselves has been wasted.
But their failure to be there was a pointer which I don’t want to believe was true. I don’t want to believe that Kano SWAN is still angry and fighting Ado Salisu because of his misunderstanding with Malikawa over their contention in the previous national vice chairmanship election.
I don’t expect a team of youthful, intellectuals and highly educated individuals to bring themselves so low or allow themselves to venture into something they have no business in. It is normal for friends to have misunderstandings among themselves but they should be left to sort it out and mend fences.
What is expected from us is to try and settle them but not to side with one. We should distinguish between personal and general life. We all have the right to go for what we want, except if it is unlawful.
We should not extend our hatred to someone because he or she is pursuing a position in his personal life. We should know that everybody has yearnings and aspirations to pursue. They should not take things personal or offensive. Everybody is free to go for what he or she wants.
The unnecessary animosity developed years ago because of Malikawa and Ado’s misunderstandings should be stopped and be reunited to develop the profession and sports in the state.
Kano SWAN should know that nobody is free from making mistakes. And a mistake can occur or be committed knowingly or otherwise. Whatever the case may be, we should put it behind and move forward.
They should also know that they are scapegoating one of their best and hardworking members just because they want to please another member. Which is too bad.
We should also know that the members of Kano SWAN spoilsport my day because I want to use that day to see my colleagues who we do the same work with but far from each other.
The attitudes or behaviors of my colleagues have ruined my pleasure or enjoyment of coming to know and see them live.
In fact, they have killed my joy but whether it is intentionally or unintentionally, they should know that they have ruined and drained my happiness of seeing myself in the midst of young and vibrant sports journalists of the state.
I wish to see you all one day. Thanks.