Yushau Shuaib, a top Public Relations professional has spoken on his ordeal during the President Goodluck Jonathan administration.
Under the regime, Shuaib served at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) as Information Officer.
In his recount contained in his new book, ‘An Encounter with the Spymaster’, Shuaib said he was marked for persecution over a published memo to the former Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on lopsided appointments in the Economic sector.
The memo resulted in his premature retirement from the public service.
He wrote: “Meanwhile, after the compulsory retirement, I have published over 50 articles in various print and online media. The collection is categorised under different chapters covering Media Engagement, National Security, Global Perspective, Socioeconomic Matters, Newsmakers, among others.
“Series of unfolding events, within the period, mainly influenced the contents of the articles. For instance, after the publication of the memo, Dr Okonjo-Iweala reported me to President Goodluck Jonathan over the article. The Presidency, after that, instructed that appropriate measures should be taken against me.
“At that period, some great acquaintances including Ijeoma Nwogwugwu, Danladi Kifasi and Ifueko Omoigui Okauru among others, waded into the matter for an amicable resolution. Even Mallam Garba Shehu and others intimated me of fantastic job offers. Though I politely declined to apologise to Ngozi or accept new jobs, I nevertheless appreciated their concern and efforts.”
After his forceful exit from the public service, a presidential adviser hired him to serve as a consultant on strategic communication to security agencies in Nigeria.
Four years in his compulsory retirement, Shuaib has assisted many organisations in crisis communication strategies.
His professional initiatives and platforms have garnered recognitions and commendations.
They include, but not limited to the African Excellence Award for the best PR Platform in Africa, SABRE Award on Public Affairs hosted by African Public Relations Association (APRA) and Golden World Award (GWA) on Crisis Management from International Public Relations Association (IPRA).
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