Why Nagarta Radio Must Not Capsize

Why Nagarta Radio Must Not Capsize

Bala Yahaya

One of the numerous disadvantages of Northern Nigeria within the geographical expression called Nigeria is the paucity of media i.e. both print and electronic.

As a result of this, the region has suffered serious blackmail over the years especially from the thriving press axis of Lagos/Ibadan which literally controls the nation’s media industry. Several attempts to establish respectable media outfits particularly newspapers that would also give a strong voice to Northern Nigeria in the country’s largely information-based politics and economics have grossly failed. The demise of hitherto promising outfits like the “The Democrat”, “Citizen”, and the “The Reporter” to mention but a few is a sad commentary any day. It has been argued over and over again that one of the factors responsible for the collapse of these all-important institutions especially at this critical period of our history is the poor reading culture in the region occasioned by mass illiteracy which invariably results in low patronage.

It is however an established fact that what the average Northerner lacks in reading culture is made up in an unsurpassed radio listening culture. There is hardly a home in Northern Nigeria in which there is no well-established culture of relying on the radio for information and entertainment. It is however unfortunate that even this very important weapon of information dissemination has been grossly neglected by our entrepreneurs and politicians leaving the industry in the hands of government which in turn use it as an instrument of propaganda and self-glorification. Thus the average Northerner left with no credible alternative takes solace in metropolitan media outfits such as the BBC, VOA, DW Radio and CRI among many other such stations. Even though it is a fact that these outfits provide a premise for opposition politicians in developing economies such as ours to air their views at the same time, some of their programmes are wrapped up in antics geared at the promotion and defence of their paymasters’ ideologies and views about world affairs which are often at variance with our inherited religious values, cultures and traditions.

It is in the midst of this difficult situation that an unprecedented, gigantic and praiseworthy initiative was undertaken by one of North’s prominent sons to provide an alternative indigenous and privately owned radio station that will serve as a springboard for the furtherance of Northern interest within the Nigerian polity. Since the station which operates on the medium wave band KHz 747 came on air, it has successfully carved a niche for itself as most radio listeners across the North see it as a credible option to the status quo of radio broadcasting in the region.

It is also on record that the success of the new outfit has a direct relationship with the steadfastness and total commitment of its pioneer General Manager Mallam Shehu Yusuf Kura who unreservedly brought his immense wealth of experience and long-established goodwill and reputation as a veteran broadcaster to bear on the new outfit. The introduction under him of popular programmes such as “Kowane Allazi”, “Duniyar Finafinai”, “Sira”, Kimiyya da Fasaha a Musulunci”, etc. no doubt added to the fame of the radio station for as it is there is something for everyone ranging from the youth and the aged, the male and the female, the learned and the unlearned, etc.

Also special features such as perspectives on the life and times of great Northern personalities like the Late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Mallam Aminu Kano and even the legendary Hausa Musicians like the late Dr. Alhaji Mamman Shata and Late Alhaji Musa Dankwairo all added spice to the station’s activities and contributed to its increased listenership across the region and beyond. Add all these to the variety of Ramadan Tafsirs which gives all Muslims a sense of belonging and commitment to the station irrespective of their sects within the religion as well as the Sallah interactive programme which assembles various artists whom listeners always long to see in flesh and blood.

Furthermore, as stated above, the ever-charming and magnetic voice of Yusuf Kura makes the station almost synonymous to VOA such that whenever the much-appreciated voice comes on air in programmes like “Kowane Allazi” you hear listeners stating with delight “Yau Na Kura ne da kansa!” (Today it is Kura himself that is presenting).

It is therefore with the deepest sense of displeasure that the teeming admirers of Nagarta Radio received the news of the feud between Kura and the Board of Nagarta which led to his relegation to the rank of General Manager (Operations) as reported by Leadership Newspapers which itself is yet another commendable initiative towards addressing Northern under-representation in the southern-dominated scene of Nigeria’s print journalism. It is therefore pertinent to at this juncture call on the Board of Nagarta to unreservedly forgive Kura for whatever “sins” he might have committed in the course of his stewardship as no one, except God is perfect. The fact that he sacrificed a well-paying job in the US to come home and nurture Nagarta to its present fame is a rare demonstration of sacrifice, brinkmanship, and sincere commitment to serve fatherland which must and should always be praised and encouraged. The success of Nagarta has always been a source of inspiration and pleasure to all Northerners that the age-long jinx against Northern private initiative in the media industry has been effectively broken. If therefore by any act of commission or omission Nagarta is allowed to capsize, posterity will never forgive us!