Celeberating Ahmad Rasheed Makarfi at 40 It has become a norm among Nigerians to celeberate wealthy individuals and greedy people who have attained certain age and who amass the wealth of ordinary Nigerians forgetting those that made impact on ordinary Nigerians. January 5th 2015 is a special Day for Nigerian Journalists, a day when Ahmad Rasheed Makarfi attained four Decades on earth. Its a special Day also for this writer as his closest ally and who happened to work in a reknown Media House with the celebrant. In Kano and its environs the Name Ahmad Rasheed Makarfi rings a bell to the ordinary man in the streets of Kano and even the GURUS in Kano Journalism who attain some degree of professionalis in the Fourth estate of the realm, Time and space will not allow me to juxtapose the persona of Ahmad Rasheed Makarfi but i will summarise in a few words for readers to comprehend. Before his retirement from the services of Freedom Radio in May this year Ahmad Rasheed Makarfi told me that he hardly exceed two years in any organisation since he started his working career ,the moment he leaves another Job is waiting for comrade Ahmad. He also told me how he has the passion to practice Journalism and to be a Journalist, when Malam Ahmad pick a pen and start writing you will think that he has a PHD in print Journalism. When he start teaching you chemistry and Physics you will never Know that he has not bagged a Master Degree in Science. On political analysis i enjoy every bit of my time with Ahmad Rasheed Makarfi whenever he is making political analysis, if it comes to International relations ,you may be cajoled that he was once Nigerias permanent representative to United Nations. I was amazed when one day i found him teaching SS 3 student chemistry, the boy was listening attentively while i was caught unaware that we are not in a chemistry laboratory but preparing to go to the Newsroom to prepare the Days story. Prior to the appointment of Emir Muhammad Sunusi II on June 8 and Names are being mentioned on the possible successor of Late Alhaji Ado Bayero, Ahmad told me that the best among the candidates is Malam Sunusi Lamido Sunusi, Ahmad was vindicated when the state Government announced the appointment to the people. All the above itemised issues on Ahmad Rasheed Makarfi is no exaggeration, but a replica of his character, which is indeed a blessing. Ahmad Rasheed Makarfi emerged from an influential and scholarly family from Makarfi Local Government in Kaduna State but he is never boastful of where he comes from. A Biological brother to the present Vice Chancellor of Bayero University Kano, Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed and a Scion of Islamic Scholars of the ancient town. Since i started writing on this great personality 2 years ago there was never a time i compose a piece on his birth while he is aware, i firmly beleive that if i will let him Know that i will write on his birthday he will never allow it. I once wrote on this page that Ahmad Rasheed Makarfi is a prolific writer who write for Nigerian National Dailies, i also destined to Know him on the pages of Newspapers before we came to Know each other. During Morning Editorial Meetings at Freedom Radio Ahmad Rasheed Makarfi make the gathering lively by innovating ideas and bringing issues that will make the gathering laugh. One beautiful lady among us whom he knew better than me once called him a CLOWN she once told me that Alhaji Ahmad Rasheed Makarfi keep her company during every editorial meerting. On community relation, the celebrant has a clean report card because the young and the old admire who is Ahmad Rasheed on his Job and how he view other individuals stand on issues no matter how tiny it is. His House has became a trooping place as if people are going for festivities due to his hospitality,the old,the young and the downtrodden are not left. All the personal traits of Ahmad Rasheed Makarfi would not have been possible without the support of his wife Hajiya Maryam Makarfi and his immediate Family. I and your fellow comrades are wishing you many happy returns as you attain the age of 40. Allah ya kara lafiya da tsawon Kwana. Abbas Yushau Yusuf, 20:18, January 5 2015.
Posted on: Mon, 05 Jan 2015 19:28:02 +0000