Every Acknowledgment is intended to give credit to those who
stood by and contributed to the writer’s success. But since the book apart
from the introduction, is a collection of publications of the author in various
stages of life … from school days to date, it would be very difficult to
mention all the names of those who have touched the life of the author, as they
are countless. I have had to restrict my acknowledgment to two pages and have
naturally left out many whose contributions are no less important in my journey
through life and the success of this work.I thank the Almighty God for giving me
understanding family of Dr. (Imam) Abdulhameed Shuaib PhD whose parental love
and inspirational guidance have been the fuel that has driven me so far. I am
indebted to my religious teacher, Mal. Salihu Abdulrauf who taught me the holy
scripture and responsible for my spiritual upbringing; all my teachers in Kwalli
Special Primary School and School for Arabic Studies SAS Kano. To my lecturers
in the Departments of Mass Communication, Arabic and Islamic Studies of Bayero
University Kano. I thank you all for imparting to me knowledge and basic
educational requirements.
I express my immense gratitude to
those editors on whose doors I banged with my youthful views during my school
days. They gave me the initial encouragement to write and stimulated my interest
by publishing those infantile views. The editors include my big brothers: Mal.
Abduhamid Babatunde of the Democrat, Mal. Garba Shehu of Triumph (Now GM ALSCON)
and those of New Nigerian and National Concord. Josephine Lohor (now Zonal
Editor Thisday) who as the then Literary Page Editor of Triumph, published all
my creative writings (fictions and poems). The skill garnered from the
experience enabled me to write my first novel Nightmare for the Rich.
As one grows up, one encounters more
accomplished and respectable editors whose influence and professionalism rob off
on his works. For me those editors include Festus Adedayo of the Tribune, Segun
Adeniyi of Thisday, Akin Olaniyan of Punch, Mal. Kabir Yusuf of Daily Trust,
Emeka Anaeto of Vanguard, Ali M. Ali of Triumph and Joseph Sesebo of Guardian.
Others that are responsive to the author’s write-ups include National
Interest, Champion, Monitor, Sunray, Post Express, Comet, Daily Times, Herald,
Anchor and many others. I neither set my eyes on some of those Editors nor
talked to them. I must appreciate the publication of my articles in their media
as they encourage and give me the pride to publish this book.
In the field of public relations
practice where writing skill is necessary, I learnt a great deal from Donald
Overidjo, Omakri of Delta State Government House and Mr. S. O. Babajide in the
Federal Ministry of finance. At present I have personal subeditor Theo Olaye,
who checks my script at every time to make it sound, but is a lazy writer. I
have to acknowledge the contribution of my assistants in the office for
facilitating the compilation of the collection: Umar S. Kulo, HS Kagara, Gabriel
David, Comfort Nga and Adamu Garba
I must mention the professional
advice and proofreading of this work by Mr. Festus Adedayo, Pastor Tope Banso
and Mr. Donatus Etukudo. The same goes to the management and staff of the
Publisher, Image Merchants Promotion, Abdulahi Bolaji Ismail, Marcus Yohanna,
Shuaib Ibn Mohammed Omoolowo and Happiness Ogwu for encouraging me to put up
this book. I am grateful for their input.
Writing as hobby for a civil servant
is indeed a risky and tedious adventure. But I must admit that I am very lucky
to have highly responsible, reliable and supportive chief executives in my
various places of work who give me total freedom to write freely without any
query or rebuke.
I shouldn’t forget to mention my family whose care and understanding even inspired some of the writings: my amiable wife, Sikrat and the cheerful children Gidado, Saad and Abdulhameed. I am indeed very grateful to all of them.
Yushau Abdulhameed Shuaib
“While wouldn’t you hold on until you attain a higher
positionwhere opulent well-wishers will launch it with millions”- A friend
remarks.As individuals’ actions are intended to achieve specific purposes so
also is writing for the media. A good writer, I believe, is the one who is not
selfish with an idea but enjoys seeing the public benefit from the exercise. My
published works were neither made for monetary benefit nor sponsored. Though
there are writers who freelance and get paid, my writings are purely personal
opinions which I must say is a hobby. I cherish the editors’ endorsement
whenever any of my pieces is published especially when one considers the daily
large number of unsolicited contributions in their incoming mails. The
collections in this book are selected published works in the media over a period
of time.I was encouraged to put up this book by friends and readers who through
discussion, letters and e-mail requested to know those tricks that enable one’s
piece to be published. While compiling the published works, I realised that more
than twenty (20) national newspapers, had published some of the articles. For
instance, all the titles depicted in the cover, are some of those that used the
articles.I am unable to publish all the works in this book due to constraints of
space, poor documentation, and others may not be relevant here because they are
official and authorised. Therefore, all the selections here are strictly the
personal opinions of the writer.
It must also be admitted here that
the author benefited a lot in his work through personal discussions, further
readings, environmental influence, positions attained and the state of mind at
particular period of time. The creative writings (prose and poems), for
instance, are not necessarily true occurrences, some are fictitious and
imaginary narrations but are intended to share feelings, educate and entertain
the readers through pleasurable reading.