By Mukhtar Yahya Usman
In the fast-moving world of power and politics, compassion is often the first casualty.
Yet, every now and then, a simple act of kindness reminds us that humanity still breathes among men.
Such is the story of Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director General Media and Publicity to the Kano State Governor — a man whose heart of gold came to the rescue of two of Kano’s most respected veteran journalists: the late Aliyu Abubakar Getso and Lawal Isa Bagwai.
These were men who spent their lives giving voice to others, reporting truth, mentoring the young, and shaping public conscience.
But when age and ill health came knocking, they faced life’s toughest test — alone, in silence, and with little means.
Until one man remembered them.
A Call in the Night
It was on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, when the message reached Sunusi Bature “Mallam Aliyu Abubakar Getso is unconscious. He needs urgent medical attention.”
Those words hit him hard. Getso was not just a journalist; he was a mentor, a man whose calm wisdom and professional ethics had inspired countless others, including Bature himself.
Without hesitation, Bature gave a direct order:
“Move him to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) immediately. Make sure he gets the best care possible. Admit him in a private ward so he can receive full attention.”
His swift decision reflected deep respect — not for an office, but for a man who had once carried the weight of truth on his shoulders.
But fate had other plans. It was a public holiday, and doctors explained that certain medical procedures couldn’t be processed until the following Monday.
Getso’s family decided to continue his regular therapy at Nasarawa Hospital while waiting to finalize the transfer to AKTH.
Sadly, on Sunday morning, Aliyu Getso breathed his last.
The news broke hearts across Kano’s media community. When Sunusi Bature heard it, he was devastated.
He had tried to save a man he admired — a professional who gave everything and asked for nothing.
Barely Two Days Later — Another Cry for Help
Just when the pain of Getso’s passing was still raw, another tragedy struck.
Another veteran journalist, Lawal Isa Bagwai, had been involved in a ghastly accident.
The once vibrant voice was now struggling between life and death, with serious head injuries and memory loss.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano State Council, Comrade Sulaiman Abdullahi Dederi, quickly reached out to Sunusi Bature, hoping for support.
“When we presented the matter to Malam Sunusi,” Dederi recalled, “he didn’t even pause to think.
“He said, ‘Go ahead with the treatment immediately — I will take care of it.’
“It was one of the most humane and instant responses I’ve ever seen. That single decision gave our colleague another chance at life.”
True to his word, Sunusi Bature acted immediately, ensuring that Lawal Isa Bagwai received the urgent medical attention he needed.
A Heart That Remembers
What stands out in these stories is not just the help Bature gave — it’s why he gave it.
Before he was a government official, Sunusi Bature was a journalist, one who understood the loneliness, the long nights, and the sacrifice that comes with the profession.
He knew these men. He learned from them. He admired them. And when life turned against them, he remembered.
He didn’t see “retired journalists.” He saw fathers, mentors, and friends who once carried the banner of truth with honor.
In their pain, he saw his past — and his gratitude became action.
Leadership with a Human Face
At a time when compassion seems rare, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa stands as a reminder that leadership is not measured by titles, but by the ability to feel, to act, and to lift others.
His swift response to the cries of help for Aliyu Getso and Lawal Bagwai has touched the hearts of journalists, citizens, and even critics alike.
He did not do it for applause or headlines — he did it because it was right.
As Comrade Sullaiman Dederi said,
“Malam Sunusi’s action restored our faith in kindness. He showed us that even in government, there are people who still have a heart that listens.”
A Legacy of Humanity
In the end, this story is not only about saving lives — it’s about remembering those who once gave theirs to serve others.
It is about a man who looked beyond politics, beyond office walls, and saw people — not positions.
Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa may hold an official title, but what truly defines him is the quiet compassion that moves him to act when others look away.
He could not save Aliyu Getso, but he tried with all sincerity.
He could not stop tragedy, but he made sure Lawal Bagwai did not face it alone.
And in doing so, he reminded us all that to be human is the greatest title of all.
