Lamido Adamawa, Dr. Barkindo Musdafa, will turban Dr. Abubakar Abba Tahir as the official spokesman of the Fombina Kingdom on January 1, 2022.
The Lamido Fombina sphere of influence extends to the Adamawa region covering parts of the Cameroons, Tchad, and central Africa.
The Emirate Council conveyed the Adamawa State government’s approval of the appointment via an official letter to Dr Tahir in December 2020.
At the pleasure of the Lamido, KaaKaaKey Adamawa title holder will oversee the public relations functions of the Emirate’s administration. At various times, Dr. Tahir led the American University of Nigeria, Yola, in engaging with the host community.
Dr. Tahir, who was overjoyed at the title conferral, says, “I can hardly quantify or qualify my excitement and appreciation and that of my family, friends, colleagues, and associates. And for singling him out of several qualified candidates, my gratitude to the 12th Lamido Fombina remains immeasurable.”
Dr. Tahir is AUN’s second Vice President for University Relations. As the VP, he led many community engagement initiatives to foster relations between the university and its host community and other larger publics. Mr. Omorogbe Omoroguiwa, an alumnus and pioneer enrollee at AUN who has worked closely with Dr. Tahir, remains in awe of his keen interest in adding value to his homeland.
“The former VP’s passion is worthy of emulation. During my 15 years of knowing him, I have observed him to be someone who is always willing to use his knowledge and skills to serve his community in particular and humanity in general. His appearances as a volunteer guest on the API/Gotel TV Peacemakers programme is one evidence of his astounding passion.”
Before his leadership role at AUN, Dr. Tahir plied a distinguished journalism career spanning the TV, newspaper, and radio broadcasting. His performance in these media houses later earned him a position as the General Manager of Adamawa Broadcasting Corporation, Yola, from 1999 to 2003.
Besides VP at AUN, Dr Tahir doubled as adjunct professor in the Communications & Multimedia Design (CMD) programme. Here he brought to bear his experience in government and journalism in the classroom. One of his many students, Obinna Iroakasi, finds his characteristic demeanour endearing.
“Dr. Tahir was a very calm and collected teacher. He never lashed out at any of us for making a mistake; instead, he would encourage us. He always spoke fluently and audibly. He never had anyone ask him to repeat himself. He deserves all accolades, said the CMD student.
His passion for the younger generation led him to establish the Konngol SilverTongue Media & Language Institute. The institute has offered scholarships and free training to many youths in Adamawa State and beyond. Dr. Tahir promises to bring that same level of commitment to his new role as KaaKaaKey Adamawa.
“I pledge to dutifully serve the purpose of this recognition. I have taken the mantle and mandate to serve as the spokesman for our people and will dedicate my time, my energy, and my experience to defending and promoting the values, traditions, and culture of the people of Fombina.
“In this direction, I will work hard to engage other critical stakeholders to secure the guidance and direction in defining and designing appropriate strategies and plans to reposition the public relations and communication infrastructure of the Emirate.
“To serve the people better, we’ve got to have a more proactive, productive, and sustainable system to be in tune with the changing dynamics of today.”
Indeed, Dr. Tahir has always been a man of the people. Mr Omorogiuwa recalls his amicable working relationship and experiences despite their differences in ethnicity and faith. “Since 2011 when I was recruited to work with him, I have noticed that he is a very unassuming person and has genuine interest in his staff members at heart, motivating and encouraging them to be successful not just in the workplace but on a personal level.
“For example, he encouraged me to acquire land from the AUN Community Cooperative Society. As a down-to-earth person, he has inspired me a lot, and never ceases to give advice even when not sought.”
Dr. Tahir has high hopes for a modern outlook of the Fombina stool which he hopes to achieve by leveraging innovative technologies in the discharge of his functions.
“I plan to deploy the required strategies to initiate all the processes to re-order the PR and protocol infrastructure by deploying the required tools, techniques, and technology for modernising the flow of communication within and outside the historic Modibbo Adama Courtyard. All facilities, equipment, and personnel that are required for repositioning the information machinery in the Emirate will be deployed.
“I pledge to restructure and reposition the public relations apparatus at the Emirate Council for the common good. As the new spokesman who would be responsible for the overall visibility, my era will focus on proper planning, organisation, storage, documentation, and use of all facilities, equipment, activities, programs, events, and ceremonies at the Council for sustainable success. To achieve this dream, I need the support of everyone within and outside the Emirate.
Dr. Tahir hopes to improve the image of the Emirate Council by striking a balance between time-honoured traditions and innovations, which he believes are crucial for Fombina’s continued success.
“I know this new role comes with high expectations. In meeting this tall mark. I will work hard to recreate a befitting identity, which will symbolise the functions and responsibilities of the spokesman for the historic Emirate. The PR strategies and plans I hope to pursue will include institutional image rebranding to align with both tradition and modernity.
“I will lead the process of re-creating a functional website to showcase the values and virtues of the Emirate before the world. A variety of visibility materials and tools will be developed and deployed to enhance publicity and entrench a defined PR roadmap, which will include training and reorienting the necessary personnel, to meet the changing needs of the Emirate Council.”
The conferral of KaaKaaKey Adamawa on a member of AUN’s top management [as Dr Tahir then was] is seen in some circles as Lamido’s appreciation of the university’s commitment to improving town and gown relations in Adamawa State.
