RFI correspondent, Tasi’u Zakari, dies in Plateau

Tasi’u Zakari, a correspondent of Radio France Internationale (RFI) in Plateau State, has died.

Mr Zakari, who was known for his coverage of events in Plateau and other parts of North-central Nigeria, died on Monday, according to colleagues and associates who announced his death on Tuesday.

His death has triggered tributes from journalists, public officials and members of the media community who described him as a dedicated journalist and a gentleman.

Chuwang Dungs, PREMIUM TIMES’ correspondent who had known Mr Zakari for nearly three decades described him as a humble and kind journalist.

The correspondent said his relationship with Mr Zakari dated back to his days as a student in junior secondary school, when the late journalist taught him Hausa.

He said their relationship continued years later when both were active in journalism, including during his tenure as chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Nasarawa State.

He described Mr Zakari as a journalist whose humility and kindness remained consistent throughout the decades he knew him.

‘He was a perfect gentleman’

Among those mourning Mr Zakari is Sani Mu’azu, Makama of Jos North, who said he received the news of his death with “profound shock and sadness.”

Mr Mu’azu said he and Mr Zakari began their journalism careers around the same period and that their professional paths crossed during their formative years in the industry.

He described the late journalist as “quiet, laid-back, soft-spoken and deeply committed to his profession.”

Mr Mu’azu said he briefly worked with Mr Zakari at the Plateau Radio Television Corporation (PRTV), where he witnessed his dedication to broadcasting and his professionalism.

He said their relationship went beyond being colleagues, noting that they were young journalists who came from similar beginnings and faced many of the challenges associated with the profession.

According to him, although their professional paths later diverged, their relationship remained cordial.

Mr Mu’azu said while he eventually left mainstream journalism for filmmaking, Mr Zakari remained committed to journalism and continued to work as a reporter.

He said their paths continued to cross, particularly because he sometimes became part of the stories Mr Zakari was reporting.

“Whenever we met, however, the old warmth and camaraderie remained,” Mr Mu’azu said.

He mourned Mr Zakari not only as a respected journalist but also as a colleague from an important chapter of his own professional journey.

Mr Mu’azu described the deceased’s calm disposition, humility and professionalism as qualities that defined the man he knew.

He prayed for the repose of Mr Zakari’s soul and asked Allah to forgive his shortcomings and grant him eternal rest in Jannatul Firdaus.

He also prayed for comfort for the deceased’s family, colleagues, friends and members of the media community.

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“May Allah SWT forgive his shortcomings, illuminate his grave and grant Mallam Tasi’u Zakari eternal rest in Jannatul Firdaus,” he said.

Mr Zakari’s death comes as a loss to the journalism community in Plateau, where he was known for his reporting and coverage of public affairs.

Details surrounding the circumstances of his death were not immediately available as of the time of filing this report.