By Fred Iwenjora
“It was 1988 — September 1988, to be precise!
The mega-hit “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” by Evi Edna was scheduled for release on October 6th.
One day in September, DANLADI BAKO, the most versatile presenter on NTA Network, at the time, Nigeria’s only national television network , visited us at Wemabod Estate. I was surprised and wondered what had brought him there.
After the usual pleasantries and some banters, he told me he wanted the video cassette of “HAPPY BIRTHDAY.”
I apologised and explained that the video and audio releases were scheduled simultaneously for October 6th.
Then he dropped the bombshell: He wanted to play the video on Network Television, in prime time, on October 1st, Nigeria’s Independence Day!
I agreed and handed him the video cassette.
Talk about GRACE!
On October 1st, Edna and I were curled up on our sofas, waiting.
I will never forget the goosebumps that enveloped me when, suddenly, from nowhere, I heard that opening chorus:
“Uuuu yea…” I froze.
Then it hit me: the entire country was watching — and it was Nigeria’s birthday!
Danladi Bako had broken “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” to the world!
Unforgettable!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BROTHER.
Dr. DANLADI BAKO”.
Veteran music maker, Emma Ogosi, now 84, posted the above on his Facebook page, September 1, 2026 to congratulate Danladi Bako on his 69 birthday anniversary. It was apt. Vivid and drew emotions.
Since that day Nigerian media, both terrestrial and in the cloud, have been inundated by tributes to one of Nigeria’s most celebrated media gurus, Dr. Danladi Bako, OON.
Ayodele Williams first took to This Day and Daily independent, while DAAR Communications sent congratulatory messages. TVC talked Danladi Bako all day as well as other media platforms.
Nigerians could not be forced to keep quiet when a man of the people is in celebration mood nay quietly without any form of pomp.
Dr. Danladi Bako, OON, Kogunan Sakwato was former DG of National Broadcasting Commission NBC, former aide to former Sports Minister Jim Nwobodo during whose tenure Nigeria won laurels extravagantly, former commissioner for information Sokoto. In his days as a presenter on NTA, he discovered, supported and projected many Nigerians in both entertainment, sports and more.
Starting out from Rima Radio to NTA Sokoto straight from high school and then to NTA Lagos, Bako went on to infect Nigeria with a particular kind of charm and persona that remain unforgettable.
Many who only hear his name and do not know him closely doubt that he is only 69, struggling to reconcile that with his numerous achievements.
This is because his name started reigning quite early in his life.
Daddy Showkey may have started the tributes to Bako during his 50 years on stage anniversary at Eko Hotel in July 2026 when he eulogised him for everything in his life.
As early as 6, Danladi gave him a chance to perform as a dancer on television.
The current Director-General of NTA, Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos also wrote a beautiful tribute to Danladi. He wrote: On behalf of the management and entire staff of the NTA, I have the great pleasure of extending our warmest congratulations and best wishes to you on the joyous occasion of your 69th birth. The milestone provides us an opportunity not only to celebrate another year of your life, but also to acknowledge a distinguished career of public service and the remarkable contributions you have made to broadcasting and national development in Nigeria. Your years of service, particularly your tenure as as Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission remain an important part of the history and development of Nigeria’s broadcast industry..”
Veteran founding member of the famed band Elcados, Steve Black remembers with nostalgia how then 20 something years old Danladi Bako made him a star attraction of NTA Sokoto by recording and beaming his live music performances on TV.
Few Nigerian showbiz names of that era of very popular prime time magazine programme Morning Ride on NTA can deny not getting a positive push from Danladi Bako. One of the characters that makes Danladi Bako so special to many is his detribalised nature and deep love for people and humanity in general.
While he roamed through Nigeria to affect lives, many found it hard to believe that he is from the core North of Nigeria, the Caliphate so to speak because he was so free, so unassuming or unencumbered by his religion despite being deeply religious.
His innate creativity and foresight make him see jewels in the dust even when many others only see gold when it is polished.
His humility is such that despite being a blue blood, he exuberantly found himself in the hoods of Kaduna or Ajegunle in Lagos to be part of the ‘Maracana’ stadium mock Nations Cup to locate talents.
By self funding, dedication to his calling, he would race to Benin in his BMW car to watch matches at Ogbe stadium as well as other happening places to be in tune with Nigeria sports realities of the time. He also added sports into Morning Ride bringing Chris Okojie former Sports Editor of Vangurd and later Deputy Editor to anchor the sports programme. That was the level of influence Danladi Bako had on Nigeria at the time, mentoring many who may not have forgotten his push.
Many also agree that this character rubbed off on Nigeria’s sports excellence at the time.
In entertainment, just name the top musician of the era and note that Bako must have done something good in their lives and career: Shina Peters, Majek, Kimono, Emma Ogosi, Evi Edna, Pretty Busy Boys which included Daddy Showkey whom he sent off to CMS to get befitting wears to feature in his programme.
At NTA, his brilliance shone at young age, seeing him producing and directing his far seniors and elders like Olu Jacobs and late Tony St Iyke in television drama series like SPACS and Second Chance.
For Danladi Bako, mentoring and giving opportunities is a lifetime habit. He once told me me that life would be “meaningless if one does not support and encourage any good act”.
Nollywood enjoys much accolade without knowing the many contributions of Danladi Bako. This is because his deep sense of humility seems to make him hide from such glory.
Now let me tell you that some of the first nollywood producers and directors like Zeb Ejiro, Andy Amanechi, and screen writers including Bond Emereuwa got breaks from Danladi Bako to be what they are today. He was one of those that gave them their first opportunities to excellence.
However, the most enduring legacy of Danladi Bako to Nollywood came when as DG of NBC, he fired unending memos and engagements that finally created Africa Magic on DSTV. He was unrelenting until the bosses at the then South African owned company agreed with him that you could not be showing presence in Nigeria without our many popular export; Nollywood films. And today, they seem better for it.
On my own personal note, many things endear Kogunan Sokoto to my soul. But I mention just three.
After following his activities for years, I took the leap to have a chat for publication.
Setting the appointment was not hard at all because the subject is a lover of people.
The long chat and interaction brought us much closer like he is to many others. Of course he is a born communicator who speaks freely and from the heart so our chat was free-flowing.
First, I soon became an invited guest to his home in Abuja for a grand lunch on one Sunday afternoon.
For me, that’s huge trust and belief I do not take for granted. Few people are that free and open. Second, he once drove me personally to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja from where I learnt first hand the kind of a natural man of the people he is. Cheers and accolades from both high and mighty, rich and poor, cab drivers, kilishi sellers as well as airport ground staff rent the air making me wink. These cheers seemed very organic and not politically rented. To make the matter tickle, one of the airport ground staff got me a Lagos bound flight ticket in a jiffy without him or me exchanging any cash and he happily bade me farewell to board. Only a real man of the people could command such enormous goodwill.
Third, celebrated artist and painter and friend of mine ABU fine arts major Enuma Chukwu was exhibiting in Abuja and I put in a word that he attends as guest of honor. He did not say no but a capital YES, I WILL BE THERE without hesitation. He became first to appear at the venue and rallied some of his friends to join him. That’s the man, Danladi Bako. His likes are few in this world.
Why won’t he take another leadership position, I always ask him. His answer shocks; “ I prefer teaching young communicators how to communicate well for now”. Lade Kong Gbulie sings in my head…this kind of man, I never see am…
Happy birthday to Mentor General of Nigeria, Danladi Bako Ph.D, OON, Kogunan Sakwato.
