A former president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) Baba Dantiye has clocked 60.
With more than four decades in the media industry, Dantiye has practiced journalism in several beats including as a crime and judiciary correspondent.
He rose to become editor of Kano-based Triumph Newspapers.
Now a full-time media consultant, Dantiye served the NGE in different capacities, according to a statement on Friday jointly signed by NGE president Mustapha Isah and general secretary Mary Atolagbe.
“He was elected General Secretary in 2001 and later served two terms as President, from 2003 to 2008. It was during his tenure that the All Nigeria Editors’ Conference, ANEC, was first held. The forum was later included in the Guild’s Constitution as a mandatory annual event.
“Malam Baba Dantiye represented the media at the National Political Conference, organised by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. He also served on the National Steering Committee of Vision 2020-20.
“This astute media personality served as spokesman to two governors in Kano State with distinction; first as Director of Press to former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and later as Director-General- Media, to the current Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje. He was later appointed as Permanent Secretary, before his retirement from the state’s civil service.
“While wishing Malam Baba Dantiye, a detribalised Nigerian and an alumnus of the prestigious National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPPS, a happy Sixtieth birthday, the Guild prays to God to grant him more years; filled with wisdom and good health in his continuous service to the Nigerian media industry and the country at large,” the statement read.
President Muhammadu Buhari, in a statement on Thursday by his spokesman Femi Adesina, congratulated Dantiye.
“The President believes Malam Dantiye’s experience will always be relevant in development, praying that the Almighty God will continue to bless him with longer life and good health,” the statement read.
