A Tribute to Comrade Umar Gazali: A Life of Service and Integrity

-
By: AbdulSalam Mohammed

One week after his retirement on 16 January 2026, I write this tribute to Comrade Umar Gazali, the retired Acting General Manager, a selfless, upright, and principled leader whose career exemplified professionalism and dedication to public service.

I first met Comrade Umar Gazali more than three decades ago when I joined the Borno Radio Television Corporation (BRTV) in the early 1990s as a translator in the Current Affairs Department. From those early days in the programme department’s film-editing unit to his eventual appointment as Acting General Manager, he remained a steady presence—calm, disciplined, and deeply committed to institutional excellence.

Throughout his career, Comrade Gazali played a central role in shaping BRTV’s editorial and production standards. He supervised the editing of flagship programmes such as Highlights of the Week, Taskar Labaru, and major news outputs, while also guiding the station through the critical transition from analogue to digital production. His insistence on editorial clarity, accuracy, and professionalism helped modernise BRTV’s production culture and raised standards across departments.

As Acting General Manager, Malam Umar Gazali served with humility and diligence, providing firm yet calm leadership during complex operational challenges. Disciplined, straightforward, and principled, his decisions were marked by consistency—his “yes” was always yes, and his “no” unmistakably no. This integrity earned him deep respect, trust, and loyalty among staff.
Firm but fair, he was a no-nonsense administrator whose high expectations instilled professionalism, discipline, and pride in the institution. 

Beyond administration, he was a brotherly mentor who guided younger colleagues with patience, firmness, and genuine care, leaving a lasting personal impact on many careers.
His selfless devotion to duty has left an enduring imprint on BRTV, evident in improved staff discipline, strengthened editorial ethics, and enhanced technical competence. Many of us carry forward the lessons of his leadership, and his mentorship will continue to shape the station long after his retirement.

As Comrade Malam Umar Gazali bows out of active service, I salute his exemplary career and lifelong commitment to integrity. I wish him long life, good health, and prosperity. His guidance, brotherliness, and upright character will be deeply missed.

By: Abdulsalam Mohammed, Nigeria’s Northeast
Published from our Bureau Office, Nairobi, Kenya

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Borno: New Commissioner of Police assumes duty

-
Image
 BY: ADAMU ALIYU NGULDE The Borno State Police Command has welcomed its new commissioner of police, Naziru Abdulmajid. The 43rd Commissioner of Police for Borno State Command is now CP Abdulmajid after CP Yusufu Mohammed Lawal retired on June 8, 2025. ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, the command's spokesperson, announced on Tuesday that CP Abdulmajid, who has served for more than three decades, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Across the country, he has held various positions, including operational, investigative, and administrative ones. ASP Daso mentioned that the new CP has carried out routine police duty in various state commands, including Plateau, Katsina, Kano, Borno, and Lagos.  Furthermore, he has been in key positions, including being Unit Commander for 36 PMF in Kebbi State and Assistant Commissioner for State CID in Nasarawa State. CP Abdulmajid's impressive career also includes stints as Area Commander in Hadejia, Jigawa State, Commander in 24 PMF...
Read more

Decade Later, Malam Fatori Residents Return Home, Urged to Embrace Lawful Life

-
Image
‎ ‎By: Adamu Aliyu Ngulde, Maiduguri, Nigeria ‎ ‎After more than ten years of displacement, families are slowly returning to the town of Malam Fatori, bringing with them hope, cautious optimism, and a call for unity and adherence to the rule of law. ‎ ‎Speaking to the International News Syndicate in Malam Fatori, the District Head, Abba Yerima Mustapha (YERIMA OF BORNO), welcomed the returnees and urged them to be law-abiding citizens. “We are happy to see our people returning after years of hardship. As we rebuild our homes and communities, it is crucial that everyone remains peaceful and committed to the law,” he said. ‎ ‎The District Head commended the Borno State Government, led by Governor Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, for its efforts in reconstructing the town. According to him, the revival of Malam Fatori has been made possible through the collaboration of security agencies, volunteers, and the resilience of the local community. ‎ ‎“The security agencies h...
Read more

The hospital has discharged minors who were victims of viral child abuse videos and they are currently recovering well.

-
Image
BY ADAMU ALIYU NGULDE, MAIDUGURI Hauwa Mohammed Goni and Ummina Hajara Mohammed Goni, who were disrupted by a disturbing child abuse case that was captured in a viral video, are now discharged from the hospital and regaining their health. On Monday, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, the public relations officer of Borno State Command, released an update on the case, which affirmed that the children who were treated cruelly by a couple are now in a stable condition and receiving the required care. The statement indicates that their father, Mr. Goni Murmured, visited the state headquarters, where they were given financial aid by senior police officers. The victims are recovering after being released from the hospital, as stated by ASP Daso. As the case continues, the Borno State Police Command remains committed to ensuring justice and will provide updates to the public. The police arrested the perpetrators after the viral video caused widespread outrage and condemnation. The police hav...
Read more