A Legacy of Integrity: Remembering a Forthright Mentor, Mallam Kabir Dangogo, By Nkechi Ali-Balogun

Today, we mourn the loss of a distinguished, impartial, extraordinary gentleman, forthright and detribalized Nigerian, Mallam Kabir Dangogo. He was a consummate Public Relations professional and a mentor I am proud to have had. As the head of Public Relations at the Union Bank, he ran a seamless office that became the benchmark for his peers.

Mallam always had an open door for me, guiding me through the fundamentals of Public Relations when I single-handedly established the Public Relations Department at the Nigerian Export-Import Bank. Unlike his contemporaries, Mallam provided me access to information, PR courses, and connections that would help shape me into a proficient Public Relations practitioner. The rest, as they say, is history. Mallam consistently included my name in any new initiative he undertook. He was the one who introduced me to Federation of African Public Relations Association, (FAPRA) (now APRA) and even recommended me as his successor for the General Secretary position. Though I did not succeed, I will forever remember his efforts and how they impacted his professional outlook in later years.

Mallam was pivotal in my becoming the first female Chairperson of the Lagos Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations. He supported me in connecting with PR heavyweights like Hajia Lami Tumaka, Eddy Wikina, and the late President Bob Ogbuagu. Mallam Kabir Dagogo believed in me. While the late Gbade Sanda introduced me to the NIPR, it was Mallam Kabir who nurtured me personally.

When he first proposed the idea of forming the Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB), he ensured that I was included as a founding member. Today, ACAMB has evolved into a highly reputable financial sector public relations group with over 350 members, and I am honored to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees.

Mallam would not have thrived as a politician because he always called a spade a spade and never sugarcoated issues; black was black, and his yes was yes. His forthrightness often led to misunderstandings, and he was sometimes labeled as proud for not condoning inappropriate behaviors. His relocation to Kaduna distanced him from some of
his professional colleagues, but ACAMB remained a steadfast supporter of their founder throughout his illness. We remain forever grateful to this esteemed body of financial PR professionals.

Just two days ago, I took out all of Mallam’s books, authored by him, unaware that the Spirit of God was perhaps forewarning me of his passing. I will deeply miss him, and the Public Relations community in Nigeria and indeed Africa has lost an icon.

Adieu and fare thee well.

Nkechi Ali-Balogun, Ph.D. fnipr