The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Mallam Kabir Dangogo, a distinguished journalist, scholar, and trailblazer in public relations and corporate communications.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the NCS described Dangogo as a towering figure in the media and communications industry whose contributions spanned decades. Born on February 21, 1949, he began his career as a journalist with the New Nigerian newspaper and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) before rising to the position of Managing Editor of New Nigerian between 1988 and 1989. He later transitioned into academia, served as a Senior Lecturer at Kaduna Polytechnic, where he mentored many media professionals.
Recognized as a pioneer in corporate communications, Mallam Dangogo held several key positions, including Press Adviser for the United States Information Service in 1990, Public Relations Officer at Bank of the North Limited and Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, and Founder of Timex Communications, a public relations firm and training institute. His influence extended beyond Nigeria, as he was the founding President of the Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB), Secretary-General of the Federation of African Public Relations Associations (FAPRA, now APRA), and Chairman of the Nigeria Chapter of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA) from 2002 to 2006.
His exceptional work earned him several prestigious recognitions, including Fellowships from the International Radio and Television Society (IRTS) in New York, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), and the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON). He was also honored with the NIPR President’s Award for Excellence in Public Relations in 1996 and the Lagos State Chapter of the NIPR Award for Excellence in 2005.
Describing his passing as a great loss to the public relations and media industry, the Comptroller-General of Customs extended heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues, and the entire communications fraternity. “Mallam Dangogo was a towering figure in public relations whose dedication to excellence will continue to inspire generations,” Adeniyi stated.
The Nigeria Customs Service joined the media and communications community in mourning a visionary leader whose professionalism and mentorship left an indelible mark on the industry. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
