In the list submitted to the Senate by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, Malagi featured conspicuously to the awe and cheers of a cross secrion of Nigerlites. The euphoria accompanying the announcement steem from insinuations that a dozen names from Niger State were submitted to the Presidency for consideration, this indeed heightened the expectations from different quaters.
achieved extraordinary success as a publisher, skilled PR expert and brand builder.
He was born in Malagi, a community in Gbako Local Government Area of Niger State on May 2, 1966. He is a man of remarkable talent and foresight.
For Mohammed Idris Malagi-the founder and chairperson of Bifocal Group and Blueprint Newspaper, received Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in English Language from Usman Dan Fodio University in Sokoto and Bayero University in Kano, respectively.
Idris’ firm has worked as a principal consultant for a number of prestigious organisations, including the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, and Transcorp Limited.
Idris who dedicated himself to enhancing the practice of public relations over the years, has actively participated in the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) activities and plays a pivotal role in expanding its reach.
He was elected chairman of the NIPR, Kaduna chapter, for two consecutive terms. Additionally, he served as Vice-Chairman of the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN).
He was also Director, Strategic Communications of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) during the 2023 election.
People are of the opinion that Malagi being a self made accomplished professional will bring his wealth of experience to bear on any portfolio given to him. Some others are of the perception that having managed conglomerates for a decade will do well in the media. Still, many others feel he will do well in National Planning, Finance and Humanitarian Affairs owing to the dexterity and compassion of Malagi.
In whatever way it turns out, one thing sure is that Malagi will deliver outstandingly in any portfolio he is given thereby giving the hope of getting it right for Nigerlites and Nigerians.
Yunusa Abugi writes from Minna
Idris who holds the traditional title of Kakaaki Nupe is a nominee from Niger State, North Central Nigeria.
Those who know him closely attest to his thoroughness, humility and kindness.
Significantly Idris can equally be described as a self-made, who by the grace of God, became prominent through hard work and his unrelenting entrepreneurship
PERSONAL DATA
Marital Status: Married with Children
Date of Birth:May 2nd 1966
State of Origin: Niger state Local Govt. Area: Gbako
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS WITH DATES
1995: Masters Degree in English (M.A English) -Bayero University, Kano
1987: Bachelor of Arts Degree in English (B.A English) -University of Sokoto (now Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto)
1984: Pre-Degree Programme at the University of Sokoto (now Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto)
1983: Zungeru College of Advanced Studies, Bida, Niger State 1982: Senior School Certificate – Government Secondary School,Rijau, Niger State
1977: First School Leaving Certificate-Central Primary School, Kontagora, Niger State
COURSES, CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS ATTENDED
Attended several local and international workshops and conferences on public relations, media entrepreneurship and leadership
POLITICAL ENGAGEMENTS
2019-2023: Helped to Reposition and Rebrand the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State
WORK EXPERIENCE
BIFOCAL COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED (a leading Public Relations company in Nigeria)
1996-Date: Chairman and Lead Consultant
Has been the Lead Consultant and visioner of the company for over 30 years; leading the team to provide communications solutions to clients in the public and private sectors of the Nigerian economy
Served as Communications Consultant to the Federal Government Project to promote Girl Child Education in Nigeria from 2007 to 2009
Served as Communications Consultant on the Promotion of Nomadic Education in Northern Nigeria by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development from 2007 to 2009
Led the committee that developed and implemented Training Guide for Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) across Nigeria from 2009 to 2011
Appointed as Communications Consultant by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from 2017 to 2021
Facilitated the Design and Implementation of Strategic Communications Guidelines for the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development in 2019-2022
BLUEPRINT NEWSPAPERS (Publishers of Blueprint, Blueprint Weekend and Manhaja (the Hausa language title)
2011- Till Date: Publisher and Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Created a major disruption in the coverage of government policies, incisive analysis and reportage of major events in Nigeria
Led the Editorial team of the Newspaper on a ground-breaking approach to the coverage of security issues and counter terrorism efforts of the Federal Government in Northern Nigeria.
Hosted The Blueprint Annual Impact Series and Awards, one of the largest and longest-running conferences on social, political and economic policies by a Media Organization in Northern Nigeria since 2019.
Led Blueprint Newspapers (Blueprint, Blueprint Weekend and Manhaja) to become the second most read newspapers in Northern Nigeria
Recognized as one of the most astute Publishers in Nigeria by the Northern Media Forum and the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN)
BLUEPRINT TELEVISION (BTV Hausa) The Newest Hausa Language Television channel in Nigeria
2023-Date: Chairman/Chief Executive Officer
ABUJA PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT COMPANY (APDC)
Served at F.C.T.A – Owned Property Development Company
January, 2023-June, 2023: Re-appointed Chairman, Board of Directors
2017-2022: Chairman, Board of Directors ADMINISTRATIVE INTERVENTIONS AT APDC.
Led the management of APDC to the completion of a Permanent Head Office Complex after over 10 years of operating from a rented office space
OTHER POSITIONS HELD
2000-2011: Editor-in-Chief, The Market (the first Business-oriented Magazine in Northern Nigeria)
2004-2008: Chairman, Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Kaduna State Chapter
2004-2007: Vice Chairman, Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN)
2008: Became a Fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR)
2018-2021: Publicity Secretary, Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN)
2020-Date: Secretary General, Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN)
2021-Date: Member, International Press Institute (IPI)
2021: Nigerian Delegate to the World Press Congress in Switzerland by the IPI
Member, US-based Online News Association
Member, Northern Media Forum
Member, Northern Broadcast Media Owners Association
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
2022: Media Icon Award by the Nigeria Union of Journalists.
2022: Special Recognition Award by National Association of NigerState Students (NANIS)
2021: Meritorious Service Award by Abuja Property Development Company (APDC)
2021: Appointed and Turbaned as Kakaaki Nupe by the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar
2021-Date: Chairman, Kings Broadcasting Limited; owners of WE FM 106.3, Abuja
2014: NIPR Presidential Special Recognition Award for Meritorious Service to the Public Relations Profession and Humanity.
2007: Distinguished Service Award by the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN)
HOBBIES
Reading and Networking
