By Umar Ismaila, Sokoto
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has paid a glowing tribute to the late journalist, Alhaji Sirajo Dalhatu Sifawa, describing his life as purposeful and worthy of emulation.
The monarch, who was represented by the District Head of Gagi, Alhaji Sani Umar Jabbi, spoke at the unveiling of a media gallery established in honour of the deceased by the Sokoto Professionals Network (SPN).
He noted that Sifawa’s dedication to humanity and the journalism profession left a lasting legacy, urging media practitioners to remain committed to truth and ethical standards in society.
Speaking at the event, SPN Chairman, Incorporated Trustee, Engr. Zayyanu Tambari Yabo, said the late Sifawa played a pivotal role in strengthening the organisation’s visibility and credibility through his professionalism, efficiency and dedication.
According to him, immortalising the late media icon was a modest way of appreciating his immense contributions to the network.
Yabo also announced the launch of an appeal fund to support the deceased’s family, revealing that close to one million naira had already been raised, while calling on colleagues and well-wishers to contribute further.
In his remarks, the Sokoto State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhaji Usman Mohammed Binji, described Sifawa as a trailblazer who redefined newscasting at Rima Television.
He said the deceased was a mentor and trainer whose death has created a significant vacuum within the media community.
Other dignitaries who paid tributes included the Special Adviser on Media to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Yusuf Dingyadi, and a former Senior Special Assistant, Malam Kabiru Assada.
Sifawa died on January 14, 2026, after a brief illness. Until his death, he was the News Editor at Rima Television and Director of Publicity and Stakeholders Relations at SPN.
The high point of the event was the inauguration of the “Sirajo Dalhatu Sifawa SPN Media Gallery” at the organisation’s secretariat, attended by journalists and media stakeholders from within and outside Sokoto State.