Journalist slumps, dies at work in Bauchi

He was writing his report on the Armed Forces Remembrance Day when he suddenly slumped. Efforts to revive Malam Ibrahim Aliyu, a Government House correspondent of the Bauchi State Television (BATV), failed as he was confirmed dead at the hospital.
His cameraman, Malam Kabiru Ilela, who witnessed the incident, said that Aliyu had worked throughout the day and was compiling his report about 5.30pm, when he suddenly started “jerking”.
“He had his meal by his side as he was writing the report, when his mood suddenly changed and he started jerking, collapsing in the process.
“We raised alarm and sought for help to convey him to the hospital. On reaching the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, a doctor confirmed that he had died,” Ilela said.
The 37-year-old journalist left behind two wives, six children, an aged mother and four brothers.
He was buried in accordance with Islamic injunctions on Friday morning in Bauchi.
His funeral prayer was attended by the Bauchi State Commissioner for Health, Dr Sani Malami; Managing Director of BATV, Malam Ibrahim Abubakar; some journalists, other media executives, family members and friends.
BATV Managing Director, who could not hide his grief, said he had lost a dedicated staff.
“Late Aliyu was an ‘all-rounder’. He reports stories, edits, handles camera and produces programmes. The vacuum created by his death, will be difficult to fill,” he said.
The Chairman of the state Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Malam Dahiru Mohammed, himself a staff of BATV, narrated how he noticed the talent in the late Aliyu right from the time the deceased was an attaché with the station.
“Aliyu was a hard-working and dedicated staff. I noticed the zeal in him right from the time he was an attaché.
“After his period with us, he went to NTA, Bauchi briefly, after which he was engaged permanently here.
“I was his Producer and his works were among the very few that never gave me any headache,” he said.