- “President Muhammadu Buhari is Mamman Daura and Mamman Daura”
- “Even when Buhari was the military Head of State in Lagos, they were together. Nobody can separate them”
Millions of Nigerians have described him as the most powerful, most influential and one of the closest men to President Muhammadu Buhari.
In this post, we’ve collated some of the few things we know about the man who has been described as untouchable in Buhari-led government.
So…
Who is Daura in Buhari’s government?
- Full name: Mamman Daura
- Title: Mallam
- Date of Birth: November 9, 1939
- Birthday: November 9 of every year
- Current age: 80 years
- Profession: Journalist
- State of origin: Katsina
- Schools attended: Katsina Middle School; Government College, Okene; Bournemouth College; and Trinity College, Dublin.
- Qualifications: Degree in Economics and Politics; Masters degree in Public and Business Administration.
- Relationship with Buhari: Nephew
- Position in Buhari’s government: None
Education:
In 1956, Mamman Daura completed his secondary school education at the Government College, Okene, Kogi State, after completing his elementary education at Katsina Middle School.
He was brilliant both at the elementary secondary school. His exemplary brilliant performance earned him a scholarship by the government of the Northern region.
Late Sir Ahmadu Bello was premier of the Northern Region and Sardauna of Sokoto at the time. In the late 1950s, he was sent to the United Kingdom to proceed with his higher education.
Course of study:
Mamman Daura studied English Language, English Literature, Latin and British constitution at an advanced level at Bournemouth College.
He continued his brilliant academic performance as he was then admitted to the elitist Trinity College, Dublin, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Politics between 1962 to 1968, and a combined masters degree in Public and Business Administration.
Working experience:
Upon completion of his education in the United Kingdom as one of the best in his class, in 1968, the editor of the New Nigerian Newspapers, Alhaji Adamu Ciroma, who was on a mission to recruit a brilliant Northerner spotted Mamman Daura and he as contacted.
He was initially hesitant in taking on the new job, but other influential Northerners prevail on him.
But before he resumed officer as an Editor at the New Nigeria, he chose to work in the office of the Governor of Northern-central State, Abba Kyari.
So, in April 1969, he finally joined New Nigerian as the paper’s new editor, where he helped in shaping the editorial policy of the paper in focusing on coverage of issues affecting Northerners and protection of northern interests.
He was a board member of BCCI’s Nigerian affiliate, Africa International Bank and founded a furniture factory in Kaduna. He was also a former chairman of the now defunct Nigerian Bank of Commerce and Industry.
His rise
His brilliance came to play again at New Nigerian newspapers as he rose to become Managing Director of paper’s holding company.
He left the company during the regime of Late Gen. Murtala Mohammed. Murtala’s government took over the administration of the paper.
He was also a former staff of Daura Native Authority, Katsina State for several years before joining the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation as a programme assistant.
The relationship between Mamman Daura and Muhammadu Buhari:
Mamman Daura’s father, Alhaji Dauda Daura, is President Buhari’s elder brother. They’ve come a long way.
Their closeness didn’t start when Buhari became the head of state. They’ve always been close.
It is on record that Daura stood with Buhari in times of tribulations when he was overthrown and thrown into detention by Ibrahim Babangida in 1985.
He was influential in the government of Buhari between 1984 and 1985.
Can Buhari and Daura be separated?
A family source said NO. Nigerians saw what happened a few months ago, when a video which ought to have been a family issue was leaked.
The feud between Aisha Buhari and one of the daughters of the powerful Daura in Aso Rock. In another public outcry on Wednesday, December 11, 2019, Mrs Buhari publicly lamented over Daura’s power in the Aso Rock.
The Punch quoted Daura’s younger brother Usman Daura as saying, “Mallam Daura and President Muhammadu Buhari have come a long way right from their youth. Even when President Buhari was the military Head of State in Lagos, they were together. Nobody can separate them.
He stated further, “If you go to the GRA (Government Reserved Area), where Mallam Mamman has his house in Daura, you will see that his building is next to that of President Buhari.
“That is how they have been all along. He built his house at GRA even before our father’s death. Our father died on October 3, 1993.”
Describing the relationship between the duo, the Chairman of Coalition of Associations in Daura, Alhaji Muhammed Saleh, said, “They are like Siamese twins. They understand each other perfectly, having been together for over 70 years.
“President Muhammadu Buhari is Mamman Daura and Mamman Daura is President Buhari. You cannot separate them.”
Daura’s son
He is blessed with one son just like Buhari. He has many daughters. The most popular one among them is Fatimah Mamman Daura.
We don’t know anything about Daura’s son at the time of this report.
Mamman Daura’s 80th birthday and what Buhari said about him
The brilliant Daura crossed into the octogenarian league on Saturday, November 9, 2019 and tributes were shooting from London, where Buhari is presently on vacation and from Aso Rock.
“On the auspicious occasion of 80th birthday of Baba Mamman Daura, November 9, 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari joins all family members and friends of the veteran journalist in celebrating the milestone, congratulating him for many years of love and sacrifices for the nation, especially in his chosen career, journalism.
“Daura’s remarkable brilliance from childhood at the Katsina Middle School and Government College, which caught the attention of Northern Regional Government, leading to sponsorship for further studies in the United Kingdom in the 50’s and many years to follow, noting that the knowledge had, over time, only translated into more wisdom.”