By Zakari Haruna Isah
For more than three decades, journalism has taken Muhammad Sabiu Danmaliki beyond the confines of the newsroom, introducing him to some of the world's finest journalists and shaping a career defined by curiosity, courage and a commitment to truth.
Looking back, Danmaliki says his encounters with foreign correspondents and editors remain among the most rewarding experiences of his professional life. Although he has lost contact with many of them over the years, their influence continues to resonate in his approach to journalism.
His first major international exposure came in 1996, barely two years into his career, during a Financial Journalism course sponsored by the Thomson Foundation in the United Kingdom. It was there that he met Dr. Howard Barrell of the Financial Times, a South African-born journalist of British descent whose remarkable career left a lasting impression.
Barrell, widely respected for his expertise in finance, stocks and development economics, inspired Danmaliki not only through his reporting but also through his personal story. Despite beginning his career with only a secondary school certificate, Barrell later earned a PhD after decades of distinguished reporting, with a British university recognising his professional expertise as equivalent to academic qualifications.
"His life taught me that experience, dedication and continuous learning can open doors that once seemed impossible," Danmaliki recalls.
Among those he met during his career was Stefan Lovgren, Africa Correspondent for U.S. News & World Report. Their conversations were often intense, particularly over the introduction of Sharia law in Zamfara State.
While Lovgren viewed the legal system as oppressive, Danmaliki challenged those assumptions. Their debates eventually motivated him to undertake a deeper study of Sharia law, consulting legal documents obtained from then Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Sani Takori.
"The disagreements pushed me to study the subject more deeply. I learned that journalism requires understanding every perspective before drawing conclusions," he says.
The introduction of Sharia in Zamfara also brought him into close collaboration with Robin Barnwell, a BBC producer covering world current affairs. Together they travelled across the state documenting one of Nigeria's most historic legal transitions.
Serving as interpreter and local guide, Danmaliki arranged interviews with key figures, including the late Jangebe, widely known as the first person to undergo amputation under the new Sharia legal system.
Another unforgettable encounter was with Reuters Chief Photographer Juda Ngwenya of South Africa, whose professionalism left a lasting impression.
Beyond photography, Ngwenya emphasised the importance of investing in quality equipment, teaching Danmaliki that effective journalism depends not only on skill but also on proper tools.
His interactions with Emily Buchana, then BBC Religion Editor, further broadened his understanding of international reporting. Danmaliki remembers her as both intellectually rigorous and deeply knowledgeable about religious affairs in northern Nigeria.
Unlike many foreign correspondents, he says, she sought to understand the complexities of Sharia law rather than relying on preconceived opinions. Their professional relationship continued long after she returned to the United Kingdom.
Perhaps one of the most memorable chapters of his career came in 2012 when Italian freelance journalist Matteo Fagotto contacted him after reading his extensive reports on the devastating lead poisoning epidemic in Zamfara State.
The email, sent to Danmaliki's editor, requested an introduction to the Nigerian journalist whose reporting had attracted international attention.
"I was deeply humbled," Danmaliki recalls. "I never imagined that my work would be followed by someone reporting from Beirut."
When Fagotto eventually arrived in Zamfara, he surprised Danmaliki by producing a collection of his published reports.
Together they travelled through affected communities in Anka and Bukkuyum Local Government Areas, documenting one of Nigeria's worst environmental health disasters, where unsafe gold processing exposed communities to deadly lead contamination, claiming the lives of hundreds of children.
Danmaliki remembers risking his own safety while reporting the story.
"No one warned me about the dangers before I entered the affected communities. It was only after arriving that I realised the health risks. Looking back today, I thank God for preserving my life."
Working alongside Fagotto also introduced him to new reporting techniques, including the use of satellite communication to transmit stories directly from remote locations—technology rarely seen in Nigerian journalism at the time.
Before departing, the Italian journalist offered words Danmaliki has never forgotten.
"He told me that if I had been working in Europe, my reporting on the lead poisoning crisis would have earned me substantial international recognition."
His professional journey also led him to John Pitman, West African Bureau Chief of the Voice of America, who visited Nigeria repeatedly to investigate reports surrounding Sharia implementation.
According to Danmaliki, Pitman approached the issue with an open mind and concluded that many international perceptions differed from realities on the ground after failing to find evidence of systematic religious persecution.
Another memorable colleague was Tilla Amaodu of Deutsche Welle, based in Agadez, Niger Republic. Fluent in Hausa, she collaborated with Danmaliki on numerous human-interest stories ranging from judicial punishments under Sharia law to tragic personal stories that reflected the social realities of northern Nigeria.
Together they travelled across Zamfara gathering stories, including a visit to Hajiya Hafsat, mother of Hajiya Asiya El-Rufai and author of the celebrated Hausa novel So Aljannar Duniya (Love, the Paradise of This World). Danmaliki still treasures the autographed copy of the novel he received during that visit.
Beyond field reporting, Danmaliki also recalls attending the first African Delegates Conference of Journalists in Abuja in 2007, where he met International Federation of Journalists President Jim Boumelha.
The conference focused on press freedom and journalist safety at a time when attacks on media professionals were increasing across Africa.
Boumelha praised Nigeria's media, describing it as "one of the most vibrant presses not only in Africa but in the world"—a statement that left a lasting impression on Danmaliki.
He also remembers meeting journalists from across the continent, including a Moroccan reporter whose passionate advocacy for press freedom reflected the shared aspirations of African journalists.
Reflecting on more than 30 years in journalism, Danmaliki says his friendships with foreign correspondents went beyond professional networking.
"They expanded my worldview, challenged my assumptions and strengthened my commitment to objective reporting. We did not always agree, but every conversation made me a better journalist."
Today, although many of those colleagues have retired, changed careers or passed away, Danmaliki continues to honour their memories and the lessons they shared.
His memoir is more than a recollection of international friendships. It is a tribute to journalism's unique ability to build bridges across cultures, challenge perspectives and preserve history through the power of storytelling.
For Muhammad Sabiu Danmaliki, every assignment, every debate and every friendship became another chapter in a career devoted to documenting the human story with courage, professionalism and integrity.