President and Chairman of Council Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Ike Neliaku; Convener NECCI PR Roundtable, Nkechi Ali-Balogun; former President African Public Relations Association (APRA) Yomi Badejo-Okusanya and President/ CEO Upticomm Marketing, Segun McMedal, were among distinguished public relations professionals that paid tributes to the late PR titan Mallam Kabir Dangogo.

In a letter to the family, Neliaku said, “I write on behalf of the governing council of NIPR to commiserate with you and the entire family on the passing of your father Mallam Kabir Dangogo, a fellow of our institute and former Secretary General of African Public Relations Association (APRA).”

Saying the loss of Mallam Dangogo is a great one, he added, “we are consoled by his indelible footprints in the Public Relations and the banking sector, not only in Nigeria but Africa.”

To Badejo-Okusanya, “I mourn today one of my predecessors in office, Secretary General Mallam Kabir Dangogo. As Secretary General elected in Accra in 2003, he assisted tremendously in laying the foundation for APRA, as it is known today and making the transition from FAPRA seamless. It was on this foundation we built. Mallam was diligent and meticulous, always ensuring that procedure was followed. His insistence often projected him as unyielding and unbending, but that was who he was and he had no apologies for it.”

In conclusion, he said, “undoubtedly, he will be remembered for his immense contributions to the profession, APRA, NIPR, ACAMB and so many others.”

Describing him as a consummate Public Relations professional and a mentor, Ali-Balogun recalled as the head of Public Relations at the Union Bank, he ran a seamless office that became the benchmark for his peers.

Speaking further, she recalled, “Mallam Dangogo always had an open door for me, guiding me through the fundamentals of public relations when I single-handedly established the Public Relations Department at the Nigerian Export-Import Bank. Unlike his contemporaries, Mallam provided me access to information, PR courses, and connections that would help shape me into a proficient Public Relations practitioner. The rest, as they say, is history. Mallam consistently included my name in any new initiative he undertook. He was the one who introduced me to Federation of African Public Relations Association, (FAPRA) (now APRA) and even recommended me as his successor for the General Secretary position. Though I did not succeed, I will forever remember his efforts and how they impacted his professional outlook in later years.’

Saying he was pivotal in her becoming the first female Chairperson of the Lagos Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Ali-Balogun added he also supported her in connecting with PR heavyweights such as Hajia Lami Tumaka, Eddy Wikina, and the late President, Bob Ogbuagu.

To her, “Mallam Kabir Dangogo believed in me. While the late Gbade Sanda introduced me to the NIPR, it was Mallam Kabir who nurtured me personally.”

In conclusion, she recalled, “just two days ago, I took out all of Mallam’s books, authored by him, unaware that the Spirit of God was perhaps forewarning me of his passing. I will deeply miss him, and the Public Relations community in Nigeria and indeed Africa has lost an icon.”

McMedal, on his part, noted, “Mallam Kabir Dangogo was a distinguished leader in public relations, especially corporate communications across Nigeria and Africa. His visionary leadership, dedication to excellence, and deep commitment to mentorship shaped generations of professionals, earning him a revered place in the industry.”

Renowned for his insights, integrity, and commitment to ethical values, he said Dangogo, “’set a standard that will continue to inspire. His legacy endures, but his presence will be sorely missed.”

A Dangogo’s career spanned journalism, banking, and public relations. He began his professional journey as a journalist with the New Nigerian Newspaper and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) before transitioning into public relations.

He held various leadership roles at the Bank of the North and Union Bank, where he retired as Assistant General Manager (AGM) of Corporate Affairs in 2005. He was also a founding member and first president of the Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB), further cementing his influence on corporate communications in Nigeria.

Dangogo studied at Ohio University in the United States and the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom, where he deepened his expertise in communication, public relations, and advertising. Beyond his professional accomplishments, he was revered as a mentor and advocate for ethical practice in public relations. His meticulous nature and insistence on due process, though sometimes perceived as unyielding, were credited with establishing APRA’s structure, credibility, and significance.

As the African public relations community prepares to gather in Mombasa in June 2025 for APRA’s 50th Anniversary and 36th Annual Conference, Dangogo’s contributions will be remembered as foundational to the association’s success.