As public relations practitioners prepare for the forthcoming Golden World Awards (GWA) in Athens, Greece, Nigerian media entrepreneur Gidado Shuaib has been appointed a United Nations Youth Representative by the International Public Relations Association (IPRA), the world’s leading global body for PR professionals.

The appointment was formally conveyed by IPRA Secretary‑General Philip Sheppard, who confirmed that Shuaib will work with the association’s UN Bureau in New York, represented by Jim McQueeny and Matt Cossel, to strengthen IPRA’s engagement with the United Nations on youth‑focused initiatives and global development conversations.

The development comes as Nigerian PR agencies—including Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR) and LSF PR—secure shortlist positions across multiple categories of the 2026 GWA, while the Comptroller‑General of the Nigeria Customs Service, CG Bashir Adewale Adeniyi is scheduled to receive a special honour at the Athens ceremony on September 25, 2026.

Shuaib currently serves as Special Assistant to the Director‑General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), where he supports strategic communications, media management, stakeholder engagement and public affairs. He also works as Digital Communications Specialist at Baze University and consults for organisations such as the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Nigeria’s chapter of Transparency International.

A rising figure in Nigeria’s media landscape, Shuaib is the Publisher and CEO of Youths Digest, producers of News Digest Nigeria, and the founder of the Campus Journalism Awards, now in its eighth edition. The initiative has grown into one of Nigeria’s most influential platforms for mentoring and celebrating emerging journalists while promoting ethical reporting and responsible public discourse.

His professional experience spans major newsrooms including the BBC, Premium Times, and Daily Trust, alongside contributions to national debates through opinion writing, media commentary and interviews on governance, youth development and strategic communication.

He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), the African Public Relations Association (APRA) and the International Public Relations Association (IPRA).

Beyond journalism, Shuaib convenes the Campus Journalism Dialogues, edits Musings of Young Minds, and champions civic participation among young Nigerians. In 2015, he represented Nigeria at the Youth Assembly of the United Nations, joining global youth leaders to deliberate on sustainable development and international policy.

Holding the chieftaincy title of Shettiman Dukawuya, Shuaib holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Baze University, Abuja, and a Master’s degree in Media, Campaigning and Social Change from the University of Westminster, London. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Development Communication at Nasarawa State University.

Founded in 1955, IPRA remains the world’s premier international association for public relations professionals, promoting global standards, ethical practice and professional engagement. Through its UN Bureau, the association amplifies the voice of PR practitioners within the United Nations system while advancing youth participation in global policy and sustainable development.

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By Yushau A. Shuaib

Thirty years ago, a quiet message travelled from the ancient community of Dukawuya in Kano: a child had been born. It was an ordinary announcement, yet it emerged from a place that has never been ordinary.

Dukawuya is one of the historic gateways—Kofa—that once guarded the ancient walls of Kano against foreign invaders. Long before modern cities grew noisy with human traffic, Dukawuya stood as a sentinel of history, culture, and resilience. Even today, it occupies a unique intellectual geography. To its south stands Bayero University Kano (BUK); to the west, the Federal University of Education (formerly ATC/ABU); to the east, Kano Polytechnic; and to the north, the Women Teachers College (WTC) and Government Secondary School Dukawuya. Few communities in Nigeria are so completely encircled by institutions of learning. It is no exaggeration that Dukawuya is rightly described as the Centre of Education in Kano.

It was in this cradle of knowledge that the newborn was named Gidado, after a man remembered for his integrity during the Abacha administration. His educational journey began in two worlds at once. In the mornings, he attended Stella Maris, a Christian school in Garki, Abuja. By afternoon, he joined young pupils studying the Qur’an in the traditional Almajiri‑style setting in Wuye. Two systems. Two philosophies. Two streams of knowledge flowing into the same young mind. This early exposure to diversity would later define his worldview.

After primary school, he moved to Command Secondary School, Asokoro, where the culture of military discipline sharpened his sense of responsibility. Yet his parents, determined to expose him to broader experiences, later enrolled him in Alhaji Akilu Islamic School in Modibbo, Kano—a rural environment where life was simpler, harsher, and deeply instructive. From there, he returned to Abuja to complete his secondary education at Nigeria‑Ghana College. Each school left its imprint: faith, discipline, resilience, and curiosity.

With strong results, he gained admission into BUK to study Sociology and Mass Communication. Immersed in a new academic ecosystem, his performance improved steadily, surprising even those who had watched his earlier journey.

But destiny had its own interruptions. At the time, Boko Haram’s insurgency was spreading fear across Northern Nigeria. Schools, markets, and security formations were under attack. The Federal University of Education, just a short distance from Dukawuya, was among the institutions targeted by suicide bombers. Concerned for his safety, his parents made a decisive move: they relocated him to Baze University, Abuja.

There, he continued his studies in Mass Communication and graduated with a Second Class Upper. His academic curiosity later took him beyond Nigeria’s borders to the University of Westminster in London, where he earned a Master’s degree in Media Campaigning and Social Change.

Yet education alone does not define a life. His career spans impactful roles as an intern and trainee at leading media organizations, including Premium Times, Daily Trust, and BBC London. During his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year at Government House, Minna, he worked under a mentor who remains his current boss, learning the intricacies of crisis communication, strategic media engagement, and reputation management.

But his true passion was beginning to reveal itself: digital journalism. From that passion emerged Youth Digest, a platform he created to inspire young Nigerians through engaging stories and practical skills. Soon after, he launched the Campus Journalism Awards (CJA) and the Youth Digest Dialogue Initiative, both aimed at empowering young communicators across the country.

Determined to pursue deeper, more impactful journalism, he founded News Digest, a platform that gained more attention than anticipated. At one point, his work led to a confrontation with security operatives. He was arrested in Abuja and transported to Ilorin over a report investigated by award‑winning journalist Alfred Olufemi. A court case followed, producing an initial unfavourable judgment before being overturned on appeal.

Even earlier, a case of mistaken identity had placed him under interrogation by the then CSP Tunde Disu‑led Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in Lagos. After careful questioning, he was cleared by the officer who is now the Inspector‑General of Police. For a young journalist, these encounters were less frightening than they were instructive.

Meanwhile, his communication skills were opening new doors. He participated in the World PR Forum in Ghana and the UN Young Assembly in Washington, consulted for organisations and brands, and steadily built a reputation in strategic communication. His roles later included Social Media Coordinator for Baze University, Chief Communication Adviser for CISLAC/Transparency International and Special Assistant to the Director‑General of Voice of Nigeria, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace—a mentor whose influence he acknowledges with deep respect.

Recognition soon followed, including a “30 Under 30 Young Communicator” honour.

But perhaps the most meaningful recognition came from home. During the holy month of Ramadan, a message arrived from Sarkin Kofar Dukawuya, Alhaji Bello Maitama. The letter praised his family’s contributions to the community and the pride they had brought to the ancient gate that once defended Kano. In recognition, the community resolved to confer upon him the traditional title of Shettiman Dukawuya.

The title carries deep symbolism. Though his grandparents were born in the Ilorin Emirate and his ancestry traces back to the Kanuri people of Borno—where “Shettima” signifies leadership and scholarship—he and his father were born in Kano. His family is the custodian of the oldest Qur’an in Ilorin, brought from Kanem‑Bornu by their forefathers. Thus, the honour connects three regions, three cultures, and generations of history.

Today, March 29, 2026, as he turns thirty, I reflect not only on the years that have passed but on the journey that continues. I celebrate my son, _*Gidado Yushau Shuaib,*_ for the discipline he has shown, the challenges he has endured, and the honours he has brought to our family and community.

To Shettiman Dukawuya, I say: May your path continue to be guided by knowledge, humility, and service. And may the next chapters of your story be even more remarkable than the first thirty years.

Above all, to the Dukawuya Community, we remain deeply grateful for this great honour.

Yushau A. Shuaib is the author of “A Dozen Tips for Media Relations” yashuaib@yashuaib.com

The post Shettiman Dukawuya @30: Linking Three Regions and Generations, by Yushau A. Shuaib appeared first on Tech Digest News.

By Yushau A. Shuaib

In 2019, my son, Gidado Shuaib—publisher of News Digest and the host of the annual Campus Journalism Awards (CJA)—found himself enmeshed in a defamation. case. It stemmed from a report he and Alfred Olufemi an award-winning young journalist at Premium Times published regarding alleged hemp smoking by workers in a factory owned by a powerful individual. This ignited a series of events that culminated in police operatives from Kwara State raiding my home in Abuja under the cover of night, detaining him before escorting him for legal proceedings in Ilorin that was concluded this year 2024.

Similarly, but in a contrasting scenario, I also became embroiled in a legal battle of my own, filing a ₦500 million defamation lawsuit against freelance journalist Terrence Kuanum whose scathing publication inaccurately depicted me as a supporter of Boko Haram and a proxy for ISWAP fighters in Nigeria. His derogatory remarks were in response to my published memo urging the then President Muhammdu Buhari to replace service chiefs who had long overstayed their welcome and impeded career progression of other competent military officers.

The fallout from Kuanum’s article was severe, tarnishing my professional reputation and exposing me to ridicule and even security threats. As a result, after petitioning all security and intelligence services, I sought a perpetual injunction against further defamatory statements, a public apology and ₦500 million in damages.

In both circumstances, Barrister Yunus Abdulsalam, who was recently inducted as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), represented us. These personal encounters have imparted invaluable insights into the complex legal quagmire that Chief Afe Babalola and Dele Farotimi currently navigate in their own defamation dispute.

Remaining silent in the face of defamation under the guise of gentility is a fool’s errand. Defamation, legally defined as the communication of a false statement that harms an individual’s reputation, can lead to significant losses in honor, business prospects, or social standing. The pivotal elements of defamation include the existence of a false statement, its publication to at least one third party, and demonstrable reputational, financial, or emotional harm, all exacerbated by the defendant’s fault and malicious intent.

Amid the recent contentious atmosphere surrounding Farotimi’s arrest, misinformation ran rampant on social media and in the press. Unfounded claims insinuated that Tony Elumelu, Chairman of UBA, orchestrated Farotimi’s arrest, while others accused the Tinubu government of weaponizing law enforcement to stifle dissent. Disturbingly, many legal professionals, human rights advocates, and journalists neglected to provide objective clarity during this tumultuous time, instead contributing to a climate rife with confusion and misinformation.

Soon enough, it was disclosed that Chief Afe Babalola was the plaintiff suing Farotimi for defamation. Even before this fact became public knowledge, Babalola—who was born on October 30, 1929—had weathered a storm of critique and scorn from individuals oblivious to or willfully ignorant of the legal ramifications surrounding the matter.

Afe Babalola’s remarkable credentials are noteworthy. He earned a degree in Economics from the University of London before qualifying as a lawyer in 1963 and founding his law firm in 1965. From establishing Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD)—one of Nigeria’s most prestigious private educational institutions—to earning accolades as the Best Pro-Chancellor of Nigerian Universities during his tenure at the University of Lagos, Babalola embodies a legacy of legal expertise, philanthropy, and educational reform.

On the other hand, Dele Farotimi, born on April 27, 1968, studied at Lagos State University (LASU), where he served as President of the Student Union during the 1994/1995 academic year, later being called to the Nigerian bar in 1999. A lawyer, seasoned public speaker, and human rights activist, Farotimi is a member of the Citizens’ Rally Against Oppression (RAMINBA). He is recognized for his unwavering commitment to social justice and systemic reform, criticizing the current political structure and the 1999 Constitution, which he argues perpetuates systemic corruption. His literary works, including “Do Not Die in Their War” and “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System,” challenge citizens to confront and address corrupt practices.

The allegations at the center of the Babalola-Farotimi controversy are serious. Reports indicate that Farotimi accused Babalola of corrupt activities related to allegedly manipulating Supreme Court decisions in a 2013 land dispute favoring Babalola’s client. This incited Babalola to sue for criminal defamation, culminating in a 16-count charge against Farotimi and his subsequent arrest.

It is both amusing and lamentable how politicians, activists, and social media influencers, including certain editors, have disrespected Chief Afe Babalola with scathing criticisms and condemnations. The media onslaught, often fueled by misinformation and inflammatory rhetoric, starkly contradicts the principles of justice.

As Afe Babalola approaches his 100th birthday, surrounded by great-grandchildren, he does not deserve the relentless vitriol and humiliation unleashed by social media trolls—individuals who sadly lack an appreciation for history, decorum, and the cultural values that dictate respect for elders.

What is even more worrying is that some legal practitioners have joined the chorus of criticism against one of Nigeria’s most esteemed lawyers. It is perplexing that legal professionals often overlook fundamental legal principles and the consequences of their actions in the public sphere. Consider the recent statements from senior lawyers and executive members of the newly inaugurated Mazi Afam Osigwe-led Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). Without a proper grasp of the Constitution, they hastily justified dubious manoeuvres to displace the Code of Conduct Tribunal Chairman, Danladi Umar, creating an atmosphere of divisiveness rather than justice. Equally perplexing, the NBA’s swift alignment with one party in the Babalola-Farotimi matter also lacked due diligence.

This situation underscores the urgent need for legal practitioners, apart from politicians and social media influencers, to undergo training in public relations to navigate the complexities of public discourse better. Rather than resorting to unrestrained rhetoric or silence, public commentators—especially legal professionals—could greatly benefit from such training to enhance transparency and public trust. This initiative would improve reputations during crises and promote responsible visibility and thought leadership rather than cheap popularity contests.

In the context of the Babalola-Farotimi case, the courts must stand as the ultimate authority, not social media. Nigeria is not a banana republic where digital mobs can dictate legal outcomes. By committing ourselves to the legal process, we can attain genuine justice and restore public confidence in our institutions.

Yushau A. Shuaib is the author of ‘Award Winning Crisis Communication Strategies’

yashuaib@yashuaib.com www.YAShuaib.com

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TECH DIGEST – A final year student of the Department of Information and Media Studies Bayero University Kano (BUK), Mohammad Dahiru Lawal has emerged the overall Campus Journalist of the year in the just Campus Journalism Award 2020.

Dahiru who also bagged the best features writer award (print) emerged in a highly competitive process with contenders from University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, University of Ilorin, University of Nigeria Nsukka among other higher institutions across the country to clinch the much coveted Award.

The award which was hosted by Youths Digest magazine at Nicon Luxury Hotel Abuja, also conferred outstanding personality Awards Public Sector on Professor Abdalla Uba Adamu, the Vice Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and that of Private Sector on Mr Edirin Jerry Wesley, Managing Director of the Nigerian Customs Broadcasting Network (NCBN), while Mr. Abdullahi Haruna Haruspice got a honorary patron award.

Various winners of the Campus Journalism Award are: Abiodun Jamiu of from Uthman Danfodio University as Features Writer (Online), Abdulhaleem Ishaq Ringim of ABU Zaria as Syndicated Writer; Stephen Enoch from Bayero University Kano as – Broadcaster of the Year; Ikulajolu Adesola from Adekunle Ajasin University Editor (Online Newspaper), Solomon Oladipupo of University of Lagos as Editor (Print Magazine); Udeobasi Blessing from University of Nigeria, Nsukka as – News Reporter of the Year and Uthman Samad from Obafemi Awolowo University Ife as – Investigative Reporter.

Other winners of the CJA2020 Award in the various categories are Prince Innocent – Social Media Influencer from Federal University Utuoke, Ileyemi Mariam Omotoyosi – Photojournalist from Lagos State University, The News Digest Press – Pen club from Uthman Danfodio University Sokoto, Kafilat Taiwo – Gender Equality from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Abeokuta, Victoria Ifeolu – Book Author from the American University of Nigeria and Adeyinka Ademola Abdulrasheed – Development Reporter from Poly Ibadan.

Others include; Yusuf Mutiu – Sports Writer from University of Ilorin, Mohammed Dahiru Lawal – Features Writer (Print) from Bayero University of Kano and Mohammed Yakubu – Upcoming Writer – Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai.

While handing the Award to the overall Campus Journalist of the year, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC) who is also Chairman of the occasion said, “this award is evidence enough that if young people are mentored rightly, the country will have many productive minds that can contribute thier best to the progress of the country.”

The CJA2020 Award organized by Youths Digest Magazine, Publishers of News Digest Online Newspaper, is the third edition for in a series. Previous awardees are Mr. Alfred Olufemi, who was crowned the ‘Campus Journalist of the Year’ 2018, Maryam Abdullahi, who won the ‘Campus Journalist of the Year’ award at the 2019 edition of CJA.

In this years edition, there were over 266 entries from about 50 Institutions from across the country with 30 finalists, 15 Awardees and an overall Campus Journalist of the year.

Reacting to his Award, Mohammed Dahiru Lawal who said he was both surprised and excited when he was announced the winner despite the pool of competitive brains in this years entry, said that, “this is means alot to me, it is an encouragement for me to do more and continue contributing to the field of Journalism beyond the spheres of the Campus.”

Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Director, Youths Digest, Organizers of the Annual Campus Journalism Award and Dialogue, Mr. Gidado Shuaib said that the CJA has become an undisputable platform that celebrates brilliant and upcoming creative mind in their the ever developing Journalism field in Nigeria.

“This occasion affords us the opportunity to honor exceptional writing talents in our various campuses as they have continued to contribute their quota to National Development over the years.” He said.

The Panel of Judges made up of, Academics and Various Media experts was Chaired by veteran Journalist Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace.

Various finalists were screened through a five minutes presentation after which the best five were also screened through another round of one minute presentation for the Campus Journalist of the year to emerge.

The CJA which is an Annual event to celebrate outstanding Campus Journalist is being supported by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC), Nigerian Customs Broadcasting Network (NCBN), Image Merchant Promotions Limited (IMPR), Daily Nigerian, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), National Communication Commission (NCC) among others.

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