The Lion Behind the Mic: How Abdulkadir Aliyu Shehu is Shaping a New Era of Northern Journalism
By Muhammad Ibrahim PhD
In an era where journalism is often drowned in sensationalism and compromise, a voice roars with clarity, courage, and class cutting through the noise like a northern harmattan wind. That voice belongs to Abdulkadir Aliyu Shehu, the dynamic Sarkin Ban Gona of the Gona Emirate in Gombe State. More than a broadcaster, he is a force of truth, a symbol of integrity, and the commanding lion behind the mic whose presence commands attention and respect.
A proud indigene of Kano and noble descendant of Sarkin Kano Ibrahim Dabo, Abdulkadir carries the twin legacies of royalty and responsibility with unmatched grace. Though his roots run deep in the historic city of Kano, his voice echoes loudest in Gombe, where he serves as the Program Manager of Progress Radio and Television a station regarded as the heartbeat of intelligent discourse in Nigeria’s North-East.
Abdulkadir is best known for his legendary current affairs program, “Tumbin Giwa”, a powerful platform where minds meet, ideas clash, and insight thrives. Five days a week, he unpacks complex national and global issues from economic turbulence to political reform, and security dilemmas to international diplomacy with elegance and precision. On his program, the nation’s finest minds political scientists, economists, security analysts, intellectuals, and agriculturists are welcomed and challenged in equal measure.
Through “Tumbin Giwa,” Abdulkadir has created more than a Program; he has birthed a national thinking space where substance trumps spin. It is a rare arena where ordinary citizens and thought leaders alike are educated and enlightened. His ability to extract meaning from complexity makes him not just a presenter but a pathfinder for public understanding.
Yet Abdulkadir’s brilliance does not stop at high-level analysis. He is a battle tested political anchor, known for moderating fiery, unscripted political discussions with courage and balance. From Gombe State to the far corners of Nigeria, politicians value his platform not just for its reach but for its credibility a space where they can defend policies, share vision, and face the people directly, without filters or favors.
One of his most thrilling and unique programs is “Maza Gumbar Dutse”, a cultural gem that transports listeners into the mysterious world of hunters, wildlife, and forest tales. Through raw, riveting stories of man versus nature, Abdulkadir showcases the courage, instinct, and traditions that define a forgotten frontier. It’s a gripping blend of entertainment, education, and preservation that leaves audiences spellbound.
What makes Abdulkadir truly magnetic is his ability to navigate effortlessly between worlds. Whether he’s dissecting fiscal federalism with a PhD holder or laughing with a hunter recounting a buffalo chase, he brings humility, depth, and humanity to every exchange. His voice is firm, his tone calm, and his impact unforgettable.
Beyond the studio, Abdulkadir is a mentor to young journalists, a guardian of ethical media, and a trusted servant of the people. His leadership is not limited to airwaves it echoes in city and traditional settings. He inspires with discipline, leads with wisdom, and walks with the poise of a true statesman.
As Sarkin Ban Gona, he embodies the fusion of heritage and modernity. His microphone is more than a tool it is a torch lighting the way for a new generation of journalists, thinkers, and leaders. His programs are not just content they are conversations that mould opinions, shape decisions, and elevate society.
Indeed, Abdulkadir Aliyu Shehu is not just a journalist he is a national treasure, a lion with a mission, and a man whose voice carries the weight of a people’s hope. In every word he speaks, every question he asks, and every truth he tells, he reaffirms that journalism, when done with honour and heart, can still be the most powerful instrument of change.
Muhammad Ibrahim PhD a lecturer at Georgetown University Doha writes from Qatar and can be reached via abmak287@gmail.com
