Board of Directors
MALAM WADA ABDULLAHI MAIDA, OON, FNGE
CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
A graduate of Communications studies from Aberdeen College of Commerce, Scotland with a Post Graduate diploma in Development Journalism- with Distinction-from Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi, Malam Wada A Maida attended media management courses in the U.S.A. and the U.K. In 2003 he completed a programme for Senior Executive Fellows at John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, USA.
He joined the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as Editor and served as Foreign Correspondent (Western Europe-based in London), Editor-Political Desk, and Editor-in-Chief until June 2003 Served as Managing Director, NAN for nine years.
He was Chief Press Secretary to a former Head of State, one time President Nigerian Guild of Editors, Chairman Interim Board of Directors Pan African News Agency (PANA) 1995-1999, Chairman Board of Directors of Directors Katsina State Broadcasting Corporation in 1988 to 1990 and member VISION 2010 Committee. Media Representative/Member Presidential Committee on National Awareness on United Nations Reform.
Winner of Best All Round Student Award at pioneer Course of National Institute of Journalism, Lagos and “Times of India” Prize of Best Journalism Techniques at Indian Institute of mass Communication. Awarded National Honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) in 2001.
Currently Managing Director/CEO of Finlay Communications Limited, a media outfit engaged in advertising, consultancy, printing, publishing, public relations, marketing media management and research. A member of Board of Directors of four other companies
Widely travelled and a member of Nigeria Guild of Editors, International Press Institute(IPP) Commonwealth Press association (CPU) and International Public Relations Association (IPRA) among other professionals associations
MALAM BILYA BALA
DIRECTOR
Malam Bilya Bala is a Bachelor of Science graduate in Political Science and English from Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria. He had attend various courses both in Nigeria and abroad; enriching his profile as a Management consultant and is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Personnel Management, Nigerian Institute of Management and Nigerian Institute of Training and Development. He is also an accredited member of the Centre for Management Development.
A highly versatile administrator, Mr. Bala has led several Management consulting engagements in organizational re-structuring, privatization, banking and other financial services, telecommunications, publishing, health services, electricity and water sectors amongst others.
He has a wealth of experience as a business consultant, with a wide-ranging and in-depth experience of supporting and facilitating reform processes in a number of public organizations, where private sector participation was being considered. He is a seasoned Human Resources Management consultant with specialization in organizational review and structure, training and development and communications strategy. He had worked variously as a teacher, researcher, an administrator, personnel manager and after fruitful career in teaching, publishing, civil service and Banking finally become a management consultant where like in other places he worked now excelled.
HAJIYA HALITA ALIYU, MFR,FNIM,FIMC
DIRECTOR
A B.Sc. (Hon) Social Science graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, an alumnus of the University of Manchester and the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria, Hajiya Halita Aliyu has had a successful career serving at management and board levels; Chairman MTEL, two time Board Member NITEL, Director Interconnect Clearing House Nigeria Limited, Member Steering Committee Pension Reforms, Board Member Mobile Telecoms Service (MTS) etc.
Hajiya Halita Aliyu is the founder of Akklaim Telecoms a pioneer private telecommunication company providing innovative value added network services some for the first time in Nigeria
A Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management (FNIM), Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants of Nigeria (FIMC), and Member, Nigerian Institute of Personnel Management (MNIPM), she has over 30 years working experience in both the public and private sectors, working as a manager, consultant and entrepreneur.
She was conferred with the National Honor of the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (MFR) in 2002 for contributions to the development of the telecommunications sector and Pension Reforms amongst others. She also a recipient of the National Productivity Merit Award and several other awards on account of distinguished and selfless service to the Nigerian nation.
MALAM IBRAHIM ISMAIL
DIRECTOR
Malam Ibrahim is a 1974 Law graduate of ABU Zaria and was called to the Bar in 1975. He was also at the Firm of Sharpe Pitchard & Co Parliamentary Agent in London, England between 1976–1978 for Legislative Drafting.
A Legal Practitioner of repute, Malam Isma’il was Secretary/Legal Adviser, Kano State Urban Development Board, Managing Partner B.M. Dalhatu & Co as well as Commissioner of Home Affairs & Information, Education and Works & Housing. He also served as Special Assistant to President Ibrahim B. Babangida and continued since 1993 as the former President’s Special Assistant as well as performing his role as Managing Director of Heritage Press Ltd. He is also currently the Chairman of Governing Board of Jigawa State Polytechnic Dutse.
MALAM SALISU I. MOHAMMED
DIRECTOR
Salisu I. Mohammed, a graduate of University of Maiduguri he has APCON certificate in Advertising apart from being APCON registered practitioner. He has over 18 years of media practice variously at Triumph publishing company, Kano and Media Trust Ltd where he resigned in 2006 as Group Advert Manager to begin Advertising Practice as CEO of The Print Communications. He has attended several courses organised by APCON, ITF and is an Alumnus of Kaduna Business School.
MALAM RUFAI IBRAHIM
DIRECTOR
Rufa’i Ibrahim is a 1974 graduate of Political Science from the University of Ibadan, and has been working mainly as a journalist since 1976 when he joined the New Nigerian newspapers as Executive Assistant (Editorial).
He is also a lawyer, called to the Nigeria Bar in 1991.
Rufa’i Ibrahim has held many top editorial and management positions in the course of his journalism career. He was Political Analyst, Head of Editorial Board and later Editorial consultant of the Daily Times. He was the first Editor of the Sunday Triumph and also the first Editor of Daily Triumph. He was also the first Editor of The Guardian On Sunday. He was also the First Editor of the Analyst Magazine. Rufa’i Ibrahim also served as the sole Administration and later CEO of the Plateau Publishing Company Limited, and was the Managing Consultant that established the Nasarawa Publishing Company from scratch.
Rufa’i Ibrahim has at various times worked as a stringer, contributing articles and stories to the London-based West Africa magazine, The Guardian of London, Africa Event magazine and has been consulted several times by the BBC World Service.
Among other things, Rufa’i Ibrahim also served as the Media Relations Consultant of the Oputa Commission on Human Rights Violation and Consultant/Resource Person for the National Population Commission during the 2003 National Head count.
MALAM GARBA SHEHU
DIRECTOR
Attended Barewa College, then Bayero University, kano for his BA. Obtained M.A. (Mass Communication) from the University of Nigeria, Nnsukka.
Worked at Nigerian Television Authority NTA, Sokoto and thereafter at the Network News in Lagos as Energy Correspondent.
Taught Journalism at the Bayero University, Kano, as part time job, while working at the Triumph Newspapers. Garba rose to the position of MD/Editor-in-Chief at the Triumph before moving to the Aluminum Smelter Company, ALSCON, Iko – Abasi as the Pioneer Deputy General Manager Public Relations.
He was appointed as Special Assistant (Media) to Vice President, Atiku Abubakar in 2007 and after he left that office he set up and independent media office for the Vice President which he still runs.
Garba was on the Board of Nigerian Press Council, Nigerian Institute of Journalism and was a President of a Nigerian Guild of Editors. He is currently a fellow and a trustee of the Guild.
ABBA KYARI
DIRECTOR
A graduate of Sociology from Warwick University, he also read law at Cambridge University.
We has worked at NNDC, Democrat Newspaper, African International Banks and also served as Managing Director of United Bank for Africa plc.
Kyari also served as commissioner in old Borno State, Member Presidential Advisory Council on Foreign Investment between 2000-2005 and currently on the Board of Unilever Plc. He is also a Trustee of Islamic Trust.
