Mohammed Idris popularly known as Malagi (born 2 May 1966) is a Nigerian publisher, philanthropist, entrepreneur, public relations professional and politician who is the minister of Information and National Orientation of Nigeria. He was appointed by President Bola Tinubu in August 2023. He is the founder/chairman and publisher of Blueprint. He is also the chairman of Abuja based Kings Broadcasting Limited, owners of WE 106.5 FM Abuja, Nigeria.[1] He was the general secretary of Newspaper Proprietors' Association of Nigeria.[2][3] Additionally, he held the position of Director of Strategic Communications for the All Progressives Congress Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council.[4]

Mohammed Idris Malagi
Minister of Information and National Orientation
Assumed office
21 August 2023
PresidentBola Tinubu
Preceded byLai Mohammed
Personal details
Born
Mohammed Idris

(1966-05-02) 2 May 1966 (age 58)
Gbako, Northern Region (now in Niger State), Nigeria
Political partyAll Progressives Congress
Education
Occupation
Known forFounder/chairman and publisher of Blueprint

Early life and education

edit

Mohammed Idris was born on 2 May 1966 in Gbako local government area of Niger State. He had his primary education in Kontagora between 1971 and 1977. He then proceeded to GSS Rijau in 1977 and graduated in 1982. In 1983 he was admitted to study English studies at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, where he graduated in 1987. He had his master's degree in the same discipline from the Bayero University Kano in 1995.[5]

Career

edit

In May 2011, Idris Malagi founded the Blueprint, a newspaper that publishes weekly and daily in English and Hausa language called the Manhaja.[6] Malagis has been the chairman and chief executive officer since its inception. He is also the founder and chairman of Bifocal Group.[7] In December 2020, he was elected general secretary of Newspaper Proprietors' Association of Nigeria.[8][9] On 27 November, 2019, he took over ownership of Kings Broadcasting Network, owners of WE 106.5 FM Abuja.[10]

Political career

edit

Mohammed Idris Malagi, as a member of the All Progressives Congress was a governorship aspirant in Niger State for the 2023 Nigerian general election.[11] He polled 154 votes and lost to house of reps member Umar Bago who polled 386 votes.[12][13] He was appointed the director of strategic communications for the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Presidential Campaign Council (PCC).[14][15]

Awards and recognitions

edit

Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi holds the traditional title of Kakaaki Nupe, a title bestowed on him by Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe. The title was in recognition of his philanthropy and personal accomplishments in the media and public relations space.[16] On 8 December 2022, he was awarded the Milestone Recognition Media Icons in Nigeria award by the Nigeria Union of Journalists.[17]

References

edit
  1. ^ Ibrahim, Rabiu (21 May 2022). "Malagi: A frontrunner's 6 guidelines to power". Net Citizen. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  2. ^ Lawal, Ahmid (9 December 2020). "Blueprint publisher now NPAN scribe as Trust chair leads new team". Blueprint Newspaper. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  3. ^ Daily Trust Online (8 December 2020). "Daily Trust's Kabir Yusuf Named President Of Newspaper Owners". Daily Trust. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  4. ^ Anonymous (24 September 2022). "2023 elections: Blueprint publisher, Malagi joins Tinubu campaign as communications director". Net Citizen. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  5. ^ Ndace, Jibrin Baba (10 May 2020). "Mohammed Idris @54: Celebrating PR Guru & Brand builder". PR Nigeria. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  6. ^ "Mohammed Idris at 55, Blueprint at 10, by Ibrahim Sheme". Daily Nigerian. 3 May 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  7. ^ Abdulrauf, Abdulrahman (1 May 2020). "9 years on, I feel significantly accomplished – Blueprint's publisher". Blueprint Newspaper. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  8. ^ Lawal, Ahmid (9 December 2020). "Blueprint publisher now NPAN scribe as Trust chair leads new team". Blueprint Newspaper. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  9. ^ Daily Trust Online (8 December 2020). "Daily Trust's Kabir Yusuf Named President Of Newspaper Owners". Daily Trust. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  10. ^ Anonymous (28 November 2019). "Blueprint publisher, Idris takes over WE FM Radio". Blueprint Newspaper. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  11. ^ Terzungwe, Saawua (11 May 2022). "2023: I'll Work To Unlock Potential In Niger – Malagi". Daily Trust. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  12. ^ Egba, Abdullahi (27 May 2022). "Reps Member Umaru Bago Wins Niger APC Governorship Primary". Channels TV. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  13. ^ Dennis, Priscilla (27 May 2022). "House of Reps member, Bago emerges Niger APC gubernatorial candidate". Daily Trust. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  14. ^ Ogunyemi, Ifedayo (14 December 2022). "Tinubu inaugurates presidential campaign offfice donated by Malagi in Minna". Tribune. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  15. ^ https://www.thecable.ng/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/TINUBU-SHETTIMA-2023-PCC.pdf
  16. ^ Anonymous (24 September 2022). "2023 elections: Blueprint publisher, Malagi joins Tinubu campaign as communications director". Net Citizen. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  17. ^ Anonymous (9 December 2022). "NUJ honours Blueprint publisher Malagi, others with Media Icons Award". Net Citizen. Retrieved 12 July 2023.