They are both thoroughbred journalists, editors and leaders of editors at different times. At different times, each of them was elected and served as President of the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE). One of them is from the South and the other is from the North.
They turn out to be the longest-serving spokespersons, at least, in the history of Nigeria’s Presidency. They take the role of spokesmanship to the greatest height.
They are none other than Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu, the Special Adviser and the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, respectively.
The emergence of Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu in 2015 as presidential spokespersons sounded strange to us, the State House correspondents. It appeared unthinkable.
The questions were: Why should a President choose to have two spokespersons? What will they be doing? Would they not clash, considering the fact that the duty calls and portfolios of the two men, at first glance, looked similar?
Watch out; I have provided insights into these questions and how the two gentlemen have fared in my yet-to-be-released book on my experience as State House correspondent.
Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu’s job is not easy, especially in view of the fact that their principal, President Muhammadu Buhari, on most occasions, behaved and talked frankly, unmindful of the antics of mischief-makers.
Ordinarily, Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu, one can say, have held one of the toughest jobs under the Buhari-led Presidency.
Yet, when Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu stepped into the role of presidential spokesperson, they knew it would be full of challenges and pitfalls that could be costly. They knew that the job of media relations was not about crises or problems. They knew it was important for them to be prepared, and they did. They knew it was important to be ready to react, and they did when the need to do so arose.
Their roles, basically, include image management, political public relations, information management and excellent media relations, among others. The spokesperson must also be able to master the art of dealing with the big names around the corridors of power, party men and women, businessmen, media owners and practitioners of all kinds, influence peddlers and what have you; those who will always be presidential guests on a daily basis.
Needless to say, the explosion of media platforms to represent the views of their owners has only made the work of a spokesperson increasingly difficult, but all the more integral to the job. Thankfully, Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu weathered the storm and worked seamlessly with the multitude of journalists to, in my view, the satisfaction of most of us in the Villa.
After all, I have come to appreciate the fact that the biggest trait that spokespersons must have is the ability to think fast and to always be on their feet. That’s exactly what I see the duo of Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu do daily.
I noticed, firsthand, how it became quite normal for the spokespersons to deploy, at short notice and with limited resources and information, their journalistic abilities with a view to building a narrative on complicated issues to rival an already skewed and distorted narrative.
In fact, it is not uncommon for Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu, when cornered live on television, to show their ingenuity, backed by the professionalism that usually comes in handy. Hate it or love it, this skill is crucial.
Though absolute right and wrong are very uncommon in politics, when they occur, there is only so much that the spokesperson can do. It is the grey area – ideas that are up for interpretation where the difference can be made. In such times, I have seen the creativity needed to be displayed by the spokespersons, who through their professional disposition, have turned situations around in ways that ended up favouring the government and, in particular, President Buhari.
Another important lesson I have learnt from Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu is that they have ensured the maximum availability of news items and materials and even themselves physically to the news hounds. They were always there, available, round the clock, to respond to our enquiries. Many media spokespersons might not like that, but their actions in this regard have led to what I can call first-class results for the Buhari-led administration.
Of course, there’s the question of the fact that the number of appearances that a spokesperson may have to make and the number of platforms on which they make it may be burdensome, but, since Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu act as the fulcrum of the President, they are the first line of defence.
They would receive more criticism from opponents than most others.
Occasionally, such attacks can get personal as well, and they did. But to the credit and ability of Adesina and Shehu, they were able to shrug off such attacks and keep going on as best as they could. Unarguably, it has turned out to be one of the significant assets for them.
However, talking about assets, it should be noted that both men possess, in abundance, the knowledge of what they do. Yes, it can be said that other than professional knowledge, a spokesperson must be effective in applying his tools just as they need to know the history of the country while understanding laws, policies and civic structures are crucial.
As a State House correspondent who has interacted with Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu for as long as they have served in their individual position, I find them capable as far as their knowledge of the country and its structures and people are concerned.
I am a believer in that adage that says there’s no replacement for good old-fashioned wit, humour and charisma. The skill and ability to captivate people’s attention are vital, of course, but it is an invaluable asset to be able to use humour and wit to convey a message. It is in this area that I, especially, get mesmerised by the know-how of the President’s spokespersons.
Amidst the barrage of attacks and heavy pressures from all opposition angles, they have remained cool. Whenever the media call arrives on a difficult issue, they used to keep to what I can call the Villa script and do not waiver, realising that any slip could be interpreted the wrong way.
In the end, in my view, none other than Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu know better when there is a crisis and how best to deal with it. Did they know how to work to strike a balance between honesty and being economical with the truth? I have provided an insightful answer to this question too in my book. Keep a date with me!
On a personal note, I have – by the deployment of their sagacity in media management in the last eight years – traversed many parts of Nigeria (of course not for the first time) and some countries – Russia, Mauritania, Equatorial Guinea etc – in the business of facilitating a positive image around the President and our country. And whereas some in their position would differentiate between the so-called established ‘national media entities’ and ‘upcoming rivals’ just to discriminate, let me proudly duff my cap for them for the inclusiveness.
On African First Ladies’ peace mission secretariat…
The First Lady of Nigeria, Mrs Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, recently commissioned the new secretariat building of the Africa First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM). As President of the body since 2021, she promised the structure as her legacy.
The commissioning was attended by many dignitaries, including former female presidents of Malawi, Mrs Joyce Banda, and the Central African Republic, Mrs Catherine Samba-Panza; the Vice President of Liberia, Mrs Jewel Taylor; and the former female Vice President of South Africa, Phumzile Mambo-Ngcuka, as well as her predecessor, Patience Jonathan; and the incoming, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Nine African First Ladies attended or were represented including the new President of the Mission and First Lady of Burundi, and the Vice President and First Lady of Niger.
A delegation from the African Union Commission and other development institutions also attended the ceremony.
Sadly, even though African women have made considerable gains in the political, economic and social development of the continent, women and their efforts are still widely marginalised within the corridors of power.
It is an undisputed fact that women are primary caregivers all over the world but this is more so in Africa which is considered the Mother Continent, Mother Africa. This modern concept of Mother Africa, the cradle of humanity, is imbued on its womenfolk demanding greater effort, sacrifice and commitment from the female gender where women are expected to be ideal role models capable of mentoring and inspiring those they come in contact with.
Women also maintain their families as they take up roles in influencing policies and decisions especially as it affects their well-being.
These prejudices, beliefs and habits have made it virtually impossible for women to hold leadership positions in Africa but some of them have chosen to defy the odds and, in the process, made a name for themselves.
Yet, in spite of the unrivalled achievements of quite a number of African women, certain inherent challenges and militating factors have contributed to diminishing the appreciation and impact of the efforts of these leading lights and women achievers.
It is in this light that the efforts of women such as Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, who work tirelessly for women, should be appreciated. With women reportedly making up more than 50% of Africa’s population, many advocates of gender empowerment question how the continent’s current economic growth and outlook will be sustained if the subjugation of women issues is still deeply and widely embedded.
Without investing in the education of girls or providing unrestricted access to political and economic opportunities, without social freedoms, a significant part of Africa’s population is left out of the development agenda.
These negative trends affect the progress of the continent and, in turn, perpetuate poverty and other vices which Aisha Muhammadu Buhari is fighting so hard to eliminate.
