By Kemi Yesufu
Former spokesman of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Mr. Sa’adu Salahu was the recipient of an outpour of encomiums on Thursday 27, June when he hosted by management and staff of the agency.
The event was a sendoff luncheon at which the Executive-Secretary of the agency, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, led a list his staff and other associates of Mr. Salahu’s, to celebrate his long and illustrious career.
Speaking on working with and knowing his retiring colleague, Shuaib, described him as pillar of support. According to the NPHCDA boss, the man fondly called ‘Oga Salahu’, can always be relied on to give sound advice.
‘If an idea makes sense to Oga Salahu, it will make sense to Nigerians”, Shuaib said of the many times the departing spokesman assisted the agency’s leadership in coming up with successful interventions.
Earlier before the NPHCDA boss eulogized the Kwara born administrator and image maker, other colleagues took turns to define him in bright colours, with each of them describing how he impacted their lives.
Director of Administration and Human Resources, Hajiya Aisha Lami Abubakar, Technical Assistant to the Executive-Director, Prof. Chima Monaka were among high level staff of the NPHCDA, who stated how much they would miss their departing colleague. Like others, they highlighted Salahu’s sterling qualities to include his versatility, ability to work for long hours and his wide contacts in the media as well as the health sector. Also on hand to speak on Salahu’s strength of character was a senior member of his Public Relations Unit, Mr. Remi Adeleke. According to Adeleke, his former unit head is a man of integrity, who walks the talk when it comes to transparency.
From the media, the sector which Salahu started his career were highly regarded journalists like Mr. Yusuf Alli and Mr. Godwin Odemije. Both men had words of commendation for the NPHCDA ex-spokesman. Alli, the Managing Editor (Northern Operations) of Nation went down memory lane to recall how Salahu trilled radio listeners in Kwara State several years back. Alli rated the man with whom he started his equally celebrated career in Kwara, as a good example that hardwork, professionalism and consistency pays.
When it was time for Salahu to speak, he managed to keep his composure despite the rollercoaster of emotions on display. He thanked God for retiring in good health and with his reputation intact. He also thanked Shuaib and past bosses he worked with.
‘It is an understatement to say I am overwhelmed. I could never have believed that I would be this honored. It is incredible the compliments from eminent citizens, directors, my friends and everyone here pouring out their hearts.
“The way I can put it is that I thank God for sparing my life and for making me healthy to be sure that at such a time, I can retire with so much compliments coming my way”, he said.
Salahu, who spent 19 years at the NPHCDA, singled out Nigeria’s legendry minister of Health and early advocate for an efficient primary health sector, Professor Olikoye Ransome- Kuti for thanks, for bringing him into a sector he grew to love working in.
Salahu started his journalism career with Kwara State Broadcasting Corporation in the 80s, rising to the post of Editor. He was also a star presenter on TV with the well watched programme, The Newsmaker on Kwara TV.
Salahu served as Political Adviser to one time minister of State for Health, Dr. Amina Ndalolo. He joined the NPHCDA in 2001 as an Assistant Chief Public Relations Officer and rose to the rank of Head Public Relations a position he held until his retirement.
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