Remembering Suleiman, the Managing Editor who could

Years after, when I began to work for the Trust as a young reporter, I bumped into him in the newsroom at the Abuja office and I immediately felt at home as he took me round, introducing me to a bunch of new faces, instantly making me feel at home. One of such faces was that of Habeeb I. Pindiga, then a reporter and now the Editor of Daily Trust. One of the things about Malam Suleiman that struck me the most is that, for over a decade of knowing him, I never saw him angry, or even upset.
As condolence visits, phone calls, text messages and e-mails continue to come in, I spoke to some people who have met him and worked with him closely. One of them, Umoru Faruk Salifu, Chief Sub-Editor of Weekly Trust, said Malam Suleiman was the very first person he got acquainted with when he began work at The Democrat in 1990. “One of the things those of us on the Sub-Desk marvelled at a lot during production peak-periods is getting stories which require little work to be done on them. Suleiman was a delight because his stories and features were always almost flawless. So, if he would be the last to send his stories late into the night, we wouldn’t mind,” Salifu said, adding that during his wedding in 1991, Malam Suleiman was very visible. “And again when we met here in Media Trust Limited, I found in him a reliable old friend. He has a way of understanding situations without bias and would be blunt with you if need be.”
Atika Balal, the Trust’s Judiciary Correspondent, said Malam Suleiman was someone who strives to put you on the right track even when it meant inconveniencing himself.  “My first real encounter with him was at a meeting we reporters had with him and the Editor-in-Chief to discuss challenges on our various beats. He made me understand that if I had to make an impact as a writer and develop as a court reporter, I must be dedicated. I like to think I’ve achieved just that, thanks to him. I will always remember him for his compassion, his charming smile and the listening ear he always gave. May Allah grant him peace and make Aljannat Firdausi his abode.”
Deputy Editor of Daily Trust, Suleiman Bisalla wondered why good men die at their prime when those close to them need them the most. “This is the case with Suleiman Mohammed, a colleague since our days in The Democrat in Kaduna. He was hard-working, simple and approachable and that is why he was able to put smiles on the faces of co-workers, including distressed ones. He was the perfect Managing Editor, balancing his duties – and they were legion – in a most judicious manner. He will be missed by all.”
Abbas Jimoh, one of the Daily Trust’s political correspondents, remembered when the National Assembly’s being on recess afforded him the opportunity to meet Malam Suleiman a day before he died, to sign a request for a new camera. “I did not spend more than five minutes with him and it was done. That’s just the way he is, no red tape or unnecessary bureaucracy about him. ‘Do your best, as everyone has a role in life to play and should not give room for distractions’ I remember hearing him telling a colleague.”
Other friends and colleagues who remembered the late Managing Editor include Mohammed Isa, the Senior Special Assistant on Print Media to the Speaker of the House of Reps. He said the deceased was a point of inspiration for many journalists who have been privileged to meet and interact with him. “From way back when we were colleagues at The Democrat till the last time I saw him, Suleiman has been an exemplary human being and professional.” Also, JibrinAbubakar, one of the Media Relations Managers of the Dangote Group, said late Suleiman could not be reduced to just words. “When I was the Group News Editor of the Trust titles, he was all I had, and as it turned out, all I needed. With his help, I honed my skills and built sturdy confidence in myself. It will be hard, indeed, to find a gentleman like him.” Also, Nosike Ogbuenyi, the Special Assistant (Media) to the FCT Minister, was visibly shaken. “I’ve known him for over two decades but we became close at about 1992 when I relocated to Abuja and he welcomed me most warmly. What I will never forget about him is his simplicity and de-tribalized nature.”
Ahmed Tahir, the Weekly Trust’s News Editor, probably summing it up best, said he’s known Malam Suleiman since January 2001, when he joined Media Trust Limited. “It was a tension-packed newsroom back then and I was on the proof-reading desk. Everything was manually done and by a few people. Stories were hand-written and faxed in from the states, mostly illegible. The News Editor would do all he could as he tried to make sense out of the stories before passing them to the compugraphers. From there, we would takeover, as work naturally piled up. At that tense moment, he would come to my table to help out with the pages. He took special interest in me and guided me along as he would with many others. He was our guiding light, now extinguished, leaving us with a starless night. Goodbye, sir, and Godspeed.”