By dint of hard work, Abdullahi Bego is the longest-serving spokesman of the Yobe State government. Like Napoleon Army who carried 40 and 60 pounds of muskets and cartridges, Bego carries out his duties as an image-maker on his shoulders without falling to his knees, due to his extraordinary competence in carrying out every task he is entrusted with. If I should be the one to decorate his shoulder, I would rank him a five-star general. Bego is indeed a mentor and role model to every up-coming journalist.
Bego’s ingenuity could be traced to his days in the Daily Trust newspaper where he cut his journalism tooth. Ever since this sojourn, Bego’s profile has been witnessing a soaring growth in the journalism profession. Mr Bego’s journey to limelight began when he bagged an appointment with the Yobe State government in 2007 where he served as a Director of Press and Public affairs to late Governor Mamman Ali who died in 2009. The then deputy governor, Ibrahim Gaidam, who later became the governor reappointed Bego for the job from 2009 to 2019. Mr Bego’s achievements during that period were undeniably resounding.
Having found worthy and capable, Mai mala Buni, the current governor of the state, re-appointed Bego into the same position in 2019.
Success stories on Bego never end but, quote me anywhere, when you cross his path, you would understand what it truly means to be in the presence of an intellectual. He is the Jack the giant slayer of politics, right from his time at the University of Maiduguri where he studied Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Mass Communication/Media Studies. His equality and brotherhood have touched the hearts of many Yobe people. He lifts their hearts in dark times, gives them hope in despair and paid his dues to the entire state.
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Yobe, being a state worse-hit by the Boko Haram insurgency, needed a media man with the Midas touch. Remember the Dapchi girls’ abduction in 2018 and how he managed the crisis. As a spokesperson, Bego never caved into pressures from the parents, the nay-sayers and the government he was serving.
A wise man once said; “to a man with a hammer, every problem is a nail”. Mr Bego is the Thor with the hammer that nails Yobe state issues. He doesn’t just solve issues in the government house, he solves profound issues that fly like a speed of light out of the state. Bego, even under pressure, would diligently and perfectly deliver, and that’s what great minds do.
Mr Bego does not need to hear a problem twice, he works with cutting-the-head-of-the-snake strategy, he has the technical know-how of solving problems and root cause analysis of cultivating problems. His exquisite skills and hard work took him to where he is today.
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Big drums are only beaten for bigger men at big events. Today, I am beating this drum to you, Sir. I am impressed by how you handle your office as a spokesperson to the state governor. I am impressed by how you manage media organizations and how you polish the image of your principal. I am also amazed by how you maintain the media budget and how you managed the in-fighting that is always endemic in every other organisation, to the extent that, today, there is no crisis around the governor or the government. All government activities are well-publicized in a manner that leaves no one in doubt.
The tons of credits you pulled to your past principals are outstanding. And the wonderful job you are now doing to your new principal for the past few months is magnificent. I can’t imagine what and how much you will achieve in the next 3 years as a spokesperson.
Bego paid his dues. To me, he is the crackerjack spokesman of this era. You will always have my enamours regard and respect. You are indeed a role model I will always look up to. As you continue your journey as a spokesperson to the governor of Yobe state, I wish you the very best and God guidance in executing your duties. No amount of words can fully describe the gratitude I wish to convey, but you have my best wishes, Sir.
Rayya Alhassan writes from Abuja, and can also be reached via rayyanalhassan111@gmail.com
