By Emmanuel Kwada
In a world where personal ambition often drowns out the cries of the collective, Mazi Uchenna Nwafor, a revered public and political commentator, has shone a radiant spotlight on a rare gem: Tom Garba, a journalist, humanitarian, and beacon of hope whose life’s work embodies service, sacrifice, and an unyielding love for humanity.
In Nwafor’s words, “In an age where self-interest too often overshadows collective good, it is rare to find an individual whose very essence is rooted in service, sacrifice, and genuine love for humanity.”
For Nwafor, a staunch writer known for his incisive takes on leadership and governance, Garba is not merely a man but a movement – a living testament to the power of truth, compassion, and unity, particularly for the people of Lere West Constituency in Kaduna State.
Hailing from the heart of Lere Local Government Area, Tom Garba has transcended his roots to become a national icon, as Mazi Uchenna Nwafor passionately chronicles in his tribute. As the visionary publisher of TGNews, a digital platform delivering fearless reporting to millions, Garba has carved a legacy as one of Nigeria’s most impactful investigative journalists. His bylines, gracing outlets like the Nigerian Tribune, Blueprint, and The Daily Times Nigeria, are a clarion call for accountability, focusing on governance, security, and development.
From exposing the deadly perils of the Gombe-Numan-Jalingo Federal Highway – dubbed a “Golgotha road leading to hell” – to celebrating Governor Uba Sani’s inclusive peace model in Southern Kaduna, Garba’s work, as Nwafor notes, “speaks of a man driven by vision, courage, and excellence.”
Yet, for Mazi Uchenna Nwafor, Garba’s story transcends the printed page. “Tom is not just a friend or a reporter; he is a bridge of hope,” Nwafor writes, capturing the essence of a man whose kindness knows no bounds.
Across Yola, Hong in Adamawa state, and his ancestral Lere in Kaduna State, Garba has become a symbol of unity, weaving together Nigeria’s diverse ethnic, religious, and cultural threads with a warmth that Nwafor describes as “the spirit of humanity.”
Whether solving problems at personal cost or lending a hand to the downtrodden, Garba’s selflessness has touched countless lives, making him, in Nwafor’s view, a “detribalized Nigerian” whose heart beats for all.
speaks of a man driven by vision, courage, and excellence
Nwafor’s tribute paints Garba as a journalist of unparalleled integrity, whose body of work – spanning thought-provoking reports, incisive features, and groundbreaking investigations – has earned him accolades and trust alike.
Crowned Authentic Journalist of the Year 2024 at the 10th Authentic News Daily Awards, Garba’s mantle of honors reflects what Nwafor calls his “unwavering commitment to truth.” But Nwafor is quick to emphasize that Garba’s legacy extends far beyond awards.
Through the Tom Garba Foundation, established in 2016, he has empowered over 500 individuals with scholarships, building human capital and offering hope to the less privileged. “His humility is profound, his accessibility unquestionable,” Nwafor writes, celebrating a man whose leadership is not a title but a lived reality.
His humility is profound, his accessibility unquestionable
For the people of Lere, Mazi Uchenna Nwafor sees in Garba the ideal representative for the Kaduna State House of Assembly in 2027. A burgeoning community movement, as Nwafor highlights, is rallying behind Garba, driven by his decades-long advocacy for the voiceless and his solutions-oriented approach to local and national challenges.
“For the people of Lere, there could be no better representation than a man who has already spent years being their advocate outside the walls of politics,” Nwafor asserts. Garba’s support for Governor Uba Sani’s transformative leadership – from infrastructure renewal to peace-building in Southern Kaduna – aligns seamlessly with his vision for a prosperous Lere, as Nwafor underscores. Imagine, Nwafor muses, the Ahmadu Bello Stadium reborn or the youth of Southern Kaduna empowered under Garba’s stewardship.
Nwafor’s eulogy is more than praise; it is a clarion call. “To eulogize Tom Garba is to celebrate a man who embodies the finest virtues of leadership: integrity, empathy, vision, and courage,” he writes.
For the people of Lere, there could be no better representation than a man who has already spent years being their advocate outside the walls of politics
In Garba, Lere West Constituency finds not just a candidate but a “custodian of hope, a steward of justice, and a voice that will never be silenced.”
As the #TomGarba2027 movement gains momentum, Nwafor’s words resonate: Nigeria, at this pivotal moment, craves leaders like Garba – grounded in truth, fueled by love, and committed to service.
In Tom Garba, Lere has a servant leader, a brother, and a champion whose legacy, as Mazi Uchenna Nwafor so eloquently declares, will inspire generations to come.
