Garba Shehu

Mallam Garba Shehu born on (November 27, 1959) is a Nigerian Journalist and politician who serves as the Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari.[1] He was the president of Nigerian Guild of Editors and spoke person of the former vice president of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar.[2][3]

Garba Shehu
BornBorn in 1959
Dutse Jigawa, State.
NationalityNigeria
Citizenship Nigeria
Alma materBayero University
OccupationJournalist
Known forJournalism
TitleMallam
Political partyAll Progressive Congress (APC)

Background

Shehu was born on December 12, 1962 in Dutse, Jigawa State. He grew up with his parents in Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria.[4]

Education

Shehu attended Dutse primary school in 1970. He then preceded with Barewa College, Zaria in 1975. In 1981, he obtained a Bachelor's Degree from Bayero University, Kano.[4]

Career

Shehu started his career as a correspondent at Nigerian Television Authority, Sokoto in 1982. He was then an energy correspondent at Network News Lagos in 1984. He served as the President of Nigerian Guild Editors, he was the then the director Media and Publicity of the All Progressive Congress for 2015 presidential campaign council. In 2015 he was appointed as Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity by the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and he currently writes as a columnis in the Nigerian Premium Times.[5][4]

Controversy

On November 2020, Boko Haram members killed 66 people, mostly farmers and fishermen at Koshobe village near Zabarmari, Jere Local Government Area of Borno State.[6] Garba Shehu was criticized after his interview with BBC[7] where he said the victims didn't get military clearance to farm.[8]

On December 2020, about 333 students were abducted in the town of Kankara, in Katsina state. Garba Shehu came under heavy criticism when he said only 10 students were abducted contrary to the state government and media claims. He would later apologize for misleading the public.[9]

On December 23, 2020, a former presidential spokesperson, Reno Omokri, challenged Garba Shehu, after his claim that President Muhammadu Buhari has made Nigeria safer that it was, to spend a night without security in Koshobe, or Kware, verified by an independent journalist. Reno promised a reward of $20,000.

Garba Shehu in his response said; "If this is the money from the collections made in the name of Leah Sharibu, the unfortunate Christian girl stolen by Boko Haram, I won’t touch it with a long. Please keep “your USD20000"".[10] He was criticized by Nigerians who believe his description of Leah Sharibu as "unfortunate Christian girl" is insensitive.[11]

References
  1. "Buhari appoints Garba Shehu, Femi Adesina as spokesmen | Premium Times Nigeria". 2015-05-31. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
  2. "Garba Shehu: A quintessential presidential spokesman". Vanguard News. 2017-11-27. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
  3. editor (2019-08-31). "Garba Shehu: I'm a Driver's Son...I Wasn't Born with a Silver Spoon, I Worked Hard to Propel Myself". THISDAYLIVE. Retrieved 2020-10-14.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  4. Nwabueze, Chinenye. "Garba Shehu biography, early life, marriage, education – MassMediaNG". Retrieved 2020-10-14.
  5. "Garba Shehu at 60: A tribute". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2019-11-27. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
  6. "Boko Haram terrorists kill 66 farmers, fishermen in Borno". Vanguard News. 2020-11-29. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  7. "Newsday - Nigeria massacre: farmers death toll may rise - BBC Sounds". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  8. "Borno Killings: Farmers didn't get military clearance to farm — Garba Shehu". Vanguard News. 2020-11-30. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  9. "Kankara school abduction: Garba Shehu apologizes for giving misleading figure". Vanguard News. 2020-12-18. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  10. "Reno Omokri offers Garba Shehu $20,000 for a night in Borno; he declines". Vanguard News. 2020-12-23. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  11. "Nigerians attack Garba Shehu for describing Leah Sharibu as 'unfortunate Christian girl'". Vanguard News. 2020-12-23. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
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