Alifa

I came across the story below on the website of the respected Nigerian Guardian newspaper and was struck by the name of the author of the piece- Alifa Daniel, Assistant Political Editor, who alongside the dreaded Lager Lawyer was amongst our close circle of young professional friends in Abuja, Nigeria's capital 16 years ago, who wrought havoc in the young capitals Beer parlours

Alifa was (is) a highly articulate, intelligent and vibrant young Journalist, as straight as an arrow, sadly my friend had the misfortune of covering the political desk and in particular ran a story on misgovernance by the Government in Nigeria's Kogi State. the said story did not go down well with the Government as you would expect. To cut a long story short, my friend was accosted by a group of thugs and had his face literally bathed in Sulphuric Acid. Luckily its didn't kill him, but left a good-looking strong man almost completely facially disfigured. This being particularly poignant as being a few weeks before his wedding. Alifa survived and revived his career as a Journalist, however I'll never forget the emotional welcome, we his circle of friends gave him when he came out of hospital and in particular, the Lager Lawyer's typical but emotional welcome "Alifa can you still drink?" With a sheepish tone, he answered yes and with that he was back with us, though sadly scarred emotionally and physically.

He doggedly rebuilt his career as a journalist and has risen to the strategically important position he today occupies. The story I saw was particular poignant in that it covered an election in the same Kogi State and indeed involved the gentleman who was Governor of the said Kogi State at the time Abubakr Audu, the attempt was made on Alifa's life. All I can say is that Alifa was incredibly objective, bearing in mind the unique circumstances. Also I point out the stark reality of life in Nigeria, - 18 AK-47'S, Hand Grenades?? All for what? I really can't tell you. Anyway this piece is a tribute to my friend and a salute to his personal and professional courage. Now thats a real man, not the prancing peacocks and cowardly bandits with guns and knives who rule nations.

Benue Police Foil Arms Movement To Kogi, Arrest 17

From Alifa Daniel (Asst। Political Editor, Abuja)

WITH a slow start, the much-awaited Kogi State re-run governorship election went off smoothly yesterday but with palpable apathy amongst voters, especially in the dreaded Okene town in Kogi Central।

Indeed, the Police Command in neighbouring Benue State said on Friday night that it had intercepted 17 suspected political thugs at Otukpo while they were conveying arms to Kogi State to participate in the governorship election that took place yesterday। Parading the men at the Police Headquarters in Makurdi, the State Police Commissioner, Ibiyinka Kayode, said that the suspected political thugs were arrested at the Leach Hotel, Otukpo, while taking a rest.
He paraded the suspected gunmen with 18 AK47 rifles, hand grenade, charms, axes and cutlasses, which they were to use during the election. The hoodlums, said to be from the Igala ethnic group, had two Toyota Hiace buses with which they conveyed the deadly weapons.
However, in many Lokoja polling centres, election began at about 8।00am, with two prominent Kogi politicians, former Governor Ibrahim Idris and Senator Tunde Ogbeha voting at the Lokoja Club. The first voter at the booth voted at 8।22am. Idris voted at 11.52am shortly after Ogbeha did his balloting 20 minutes earlier. The All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) candidate in the re-run, Alhaji Abubakar Audu, voted in his Ogbonicha town at about 12.27pm.