By Joseph Edegbo:
As the World marks the 2019 Press Freedom Day, Mrs Martha Kaltho, wife of suspected gruesomely murdered Nigerian Journalist during the tyrannical rule of Late Gen Sani Abacha, James Bagauda Kaltho on Friday tasked the media not to give up, but remain resolute in their professional callings.
This is just as she described her husband as an honest, firebrand and fearless journalist to to the core.
Martha was speaking at the inaugural Bagauda Kaltho Memorial Media lecture organized by African Media Development Foundation, (AMDF) in Kaduna, Northern Nigeria, to mark the 2019 Press Freedom Day.
“My husband stood for very high standards as well as accurate and objective reporting. In doing so, he was quite investigative by digging to the root of every matter before penciling down for public consumption. He described things the way he saw them. In essence, he did not mince words” the wife narrates.
She stated that while the husband was leaving on 3rd January 1966 after spending Christmas with them, he promised her and the two kids as well as relations of returning in a month’s time adding that from that day, the husband was never heard of or sighted.
Martha maintained that even though concerted efforts by several individuals have not yet yielded results, she has not abandoned the search.
“In order to justify my search of a true and loved one, I remain unmarried and continue to mourn and pray for his safe return one day for our happy reunion”, Martha said.
She thanked all and sundry for their efforts and valuable contributions during the trying period saying that these have brought comfort to her, children and relations.
Martha lauded the organiser, Africa Media Development Foundation, (AMDF) for the lecture in honour of the husband which she said was an indication that his immense contributions have been appreciated.
In an opening remarks, the Coordinator, Africa Media Development Foundation, (AMDF) Sekyen Dadik, explained that the lecture was meant to immortalise the Late Journalist with a view to always keeping in memory what he stood for during his lifetime in the profession.
She added that the AMDF believes that the lecture would serve as compendium and assist media professionals in finding bearings as well as contributing to the body of knowledge in Africa.
“Today as we hold the first edition of the lecture, we remember not only Bagauda, but all journalists whose lives were cut short while carrying out their mandate as eyes, ears and voices of the people”, Sekyen said.
The AMDF Coordinator enjoined journalists to remain focused, resilient and not intimidated to deliver on their calling for the voiceless.
She expressed gratitude to Nigeria Breweries and Huldah Catering and Baking Services for their support to the occasion.
Bagauda Kaltho was working with The News Magazine and had a popular interview with General Muhammadu Buhari Titled “Why I Was Toppled In Nov.1995”, which the government of the day got provoked.
