Combining journalism with politics for me is a pleasure – Abdulhameed

Abdulhameed Oladipupo Alli, is a journalist of international repute; a career publisher of magazines, and former member of Transitional Implementation Committee (TIC) in Kwara State. In this interview with SIKIRAT SHEHU, he shares his experience as a journalist who combines his profession with politics; how he became the youngest publisher in Nigeria, among other things. Excerpts:

May we know more about you?

I am a native of Ilorin, Kwara State. I started my education at Ansaruldeen High School. In 1993, I proceeded to Lagos State University (LASU) Ojo. I attained Diploma in Journalism from Nigerian Institute of Journalism in 1995 and MA, in journalism at Almeda University in 2007.

Why did you venture into publishing?

I became the youngest publisher in Nigeria who started at age of 16 years, in 1990.
The then Minister of Information, Alex Akinyele launched my magazine ‘Morale Mag’ at Lagos City Hall. In 1992, the then deputy governor of Lagos Zeenat Ojikutu launched another edition.
I always think of tomorrow. I am from a very humble family background, born and bred in Lagos State. I discovered my talent at a very tender age, I started writing at age 12 and by 14, I started contributing to children pages on national dailies like Punch. I succeeded in growing over time and by 1999 I became the youngest publisher in Nigeria and that made me start learning act of printing.

People fondly call you Mr. Nigeria, what brought about the name?

In 2007, when I was in South Africa to cover Cape Town book fare, it was also time we were facing problems of many Nigerians being killed in that country. Gbenga Ashiru, of blessed memory, was Nigerian Ambassador that time. We had a meeting with him concerning the issue of relegating Nigerians, and the man in his wisdom said: “Go and blow your trumpet; if you do not blow it, no one will blow it for you.” So, Nigerian Union which I happen to be a member was created.

I took it upon myself, went back to South Africa which took me to Mozambique and Swaziland, it was in Mozambique where the Portuguese started calling me Mr. Nigeria because I always talked about Nigeria. That was how I came about the name.

Incidentally, it was the time the late Dora Akunyili as the Minister of Information, was talking about rebranding Nigeria. It was the message of rebranding Nigeria and I established Nigerian club on wheel platform. I was going round to talk positive and portray good image of Nigeria. Then, I registered Achievers Magazine in South Africa.

How did you acquire publishing knowledge?

I learnt through hard way and I did not go for formal training. I got support from my aunt, Olori Lola Bashorun, who was the client service manager with ‘Prince of Print’ in Lagos. She was into printing; most times I do a lot of printing because there is no money to give contract out. I had to learn the art of printing so, in between the line, I handle my production by myself thus, and I do direct labour.

From there, I started learning how to print invitation cards, T-shirt and others. In 1996, I registered Treasury Ventures which has to do with printing, publishing and media consultancy. That was how I got into the job and as God will have it my magazine continues to grow.

I started book publishing with Sheikh Alaya’s biography in 1999, in 2002, I published another two books for Sheikh Abubakar Sadeek Agbarigidoma, and Sheikh Aminullahi Abdulraheem Oniwasi Agbaye. I have an NGO ‘International Moral Mag’ organisation for morality. With publication of Moral Mag, I started campaigning for World Moral Day and I took the campaign to United Nations even as a school boy.

When I got back to Ilorin in 1992, I had an office, at publishing and printing outfit with the support of Hon. Belgore. I published Kwara People Magazine. Shabba Lafiagi who was the governor then and the Senator Ahmed Mohammed was the DG Ministry of Information; both attended the launch. Since that time, I have been nursing the ambition of contributing to development of Kwara State. There about, I did a special edition dedicated to Dr. Olusola Saraki on his 70th birthday and many more.

Now, we do direct image printing and by extension, we also have media practices. We run jingle, advert, and printing of fliers. My magazines include Achievers Magazine, Nimma, Kwara People, and Moral magazines.

Can you share your experience combining journalism with politics?

Politics is not about you forgetting your business, I started with journalism and along the line, politics emerged. When I was council chairman, I still practised my profession (journalism) because I know that after leaving the office, I would continue with my work.

It baffles many people how I am coping with the two. And I do reply that it is in my blood. I do say that the media is like my father’s house while politics is my mother’s house.

The six months I spent as council chairman was successful, I did not disappoint my constituency as a journalist partaking in politics. We achieved a lot while in office as TIC chairman and we still have more that are pending, we were unable to finish some other projects due to time frame and approval,  that is why at the expiration of my tenure I started receiving awards and still getting from different outfits claiming our better performance.

Some projects were uncompleted because his Excellency, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has not given approval. We started Ilorin West TV which was invented by me; the proposal is awaiting the approval. Also, Ilorin West Sachet water awaits approval, Maigida Ultral Modern motor park – Saw mill Garage, Oja Tuntun and Ipata Oloje markets projects were uncompleted. If the person there now is interested in completion, we are ready to collaborate for development of Kwara State.

So, now as I left office, I am fully back and concentrated with my professional career and business. Today, I have no regret because we were able to touch lives positively.

However, with my mission of moving forward, I just established Mr. Nigeria Media Enterprise and Skills Acquisition Centre. Apart from media work, youths will have opportunities to acquire knowledge from us.