By Nazir Musa S-Fada
In life, we sometimes meet people whose kindness, vision, and belief in others leave an everlasting mark on our hearts. For me, that person is Malam Aminu Abdullahi Gombi, the immediate past General Manager of Radio Nigeria Globe FM, Bauchi.
He was not just a boss he was a leader, a mentor, and a friend. A man whose eyes could sees potentialities even in places where others see nothing. A man who believes in the ability of people long before they believed in themselves.
Before I meet him, my journalism journey is filled with obstacles and struggles. I had worked for years in various media houses, but recognition was always out of reach. In 2017/2018, I joined Radio Nigeria Globe FM as a volunteer, presenting the Hausa request programme Zaben Rana. That was all I did and I was contented, though I definitely wish and pray for more opportunities.
Unknown to me, Malam Gombi had been secretly watching my dedication and commitment to duty. There is a day I will never forget for as long as I live. My phone rang twice from an unknown number. When I called back, a warm, calm voice answered:
“Assalamu Alaikum, my name is Aminu Abdullahi Gombi.”
I froze. This was the General Manager himself a man I had never even spoken to before. Why would he call me? My heart sparks, thinking perhaps I had done something wrong. But instead, he invited me to his office.
When I arrived, he looked at me in the eye and say something I shall never forget. He appreciated my work, praised my dedication, and told me he believed I could do more. Then, with a smile, he handed me a casual appointment letter with a monthly allowance.
From a simple Hausa programme presenter, he entrusted me with one of the most sensitive positions in the station Duty Continuity Announcer (DCA).
He did not just give me a role; he gave me confidence, dignity, and a voice.
But it was not just me. Many at Globe FM can tell similar stories stories of how Malam Gombi lifted people, encouraged them, and made them believe in their own potentialities. His legacy is not only in the administration he ran so diligently, but in the lives he touched so deeply.
Now, as he takes his final bow from the station, the corridors of Globe FM will miss his warmth, his firm but kind guidance, and his open-door leadership style. We, who had the privilege to work under him, will forever remember the man who believed in us when the world did not.
Malam Gombi, you are more than a manager you are a blessing to those who crossed your path. We pray for your continued success and hope to see you soar to even greater heights.
Thank you for seeing the light in me when others only see the shadow.
