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Robust Achievements Of Shehu Kangiwa Former Governor Of Old Sokoto State

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By Engineer Aminu Gada

Alh Shehu kangiwa was the first elected governor of sokoto state holding office from October 1979 to November 1981, representing National Party of Nigeria NPN in the second republic. Shehu kangiwa’s administration was short lived but his successes by far out weighed his short term in office.

In his effort to make sokoto state centre of hospitality and attract tourism. He established Giginya five star hotels in sokoto metropolis. When Giginya Hotel was completed in 1981 it was the first of it’s kind in North western Nigeria and among the best hotels in the country. In order to develop and promote Argungu Fishing Festival and also make it attractive and colorful, kangiwa established Grand fishing hotel in Argungu town. To this date it is the only standard hotel built by any administration for the purpose of annual grand fishing Festival.

Shehu kangiwa also established Gusau Hotels to promote growing number of business in zamfara region as a result of textile industries and other agricultural products coming from bakalori dam irrigation facilities.

Shehu kangiwa recognizes the need for development of technical education in sokoto state. To this end he established and equipped four technical colleges in Runjin sambo, Durbawa, Gusau and Mafara. He also Establish four Vocational Training centers in Bunza, Ambursa, Wasagu and Tondi Yauri. It is sad to mentioned that none of these vocational training schools is functional today.

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Shehu kangiwa maintains a free education policy for all sokoto state indigenes. Our Primary and secondary schools were well equipped with expatriates teaching staff in some schools. Boarding schools were full of sporting events and competitions. The state government ensures Students were given everything including uniforms to textbooks. Students were given transport fare to their various local governments during holidays.

As a Governor, kangiwa was not known for throwing money on the streets for his praise singers to pick, nor was he known for junketing around the country in chattered aircraft at the expense of state meager resources. Rather he was known for his humility, financial discipline and ability to deliver on his campaign promises

In the promotion and development of commercial activities kangiwa established sokoto investment company and sokoto cooperative bank. He also built and equipped sokoto state library with updated educational resource materials. Today both Investment company and cooperative bank are non existent, while the state library is left with outdated, archaic and dilapidated infrastructures.

In the area of environmental sanitation and hygiene, kangiwa discourage and work to eradicate open defecation by building nineteen public toilets in sokoto metropolis. Today there is not a single public convenience in sokoto. It is therefore very common to see people defecating openly in the city centre because of the absence of public toilets.

In order to promote local industries which raw materials are directly sourced within sokoto state, and also provide jobs for the youth, kangiwa established sokoto rice mill, sokoto foam factory, Tamba Animal feeds, sokoto modern bakeries, sokoto ceramic factory and sokoto tannery.

All these companies were fully operational during the administration of shehu kangiwa. The companies were making profits and generating employment for the greater benefits of the people of sokoto state. Today none of these companies is working. They are all History.

It was shehu kangiwa who established government printing press, where exercise books were printed and distributed free for all students in the primary and secondary schools. All these achievements was recorded within two years of shehu kangiwa’s administration.

You begin to imagine what sokoto state would have became if kangiwa had spent eight years as the governor.

For the people of sokoto state the death of shehu kangiwa was a double tragedy. First we lost a governor with a plan and a political will to develop the state. Then we failed to find his replacement thirty nine years after his death.

Within twenty years of democratic rule, the old sokoto state, which comprises kebbi, sokoto and zamfara has produced ten elected governors. Four in zamfara, three in sokoto and three in kebbi state. Yet all of them could not equal the achievements of shehu kangiwa. The duo of them, brazen as they are cannot deny it. Leaving us with a situation, where one is greater than ten.

We now have charlatans in office whose greatest achievement as Elected governors, is their ability to pay civil servants their monthly salaries.

I was in in Form Two at Government college sokoto now Nagarta College in 1980, when one afternoon during our lunch time we saw our no nonsense Principal Haliru Sarki running towards the cafeteria with his cap on hand. The news quickly spread across that governor kangiwa was coming to have lunch with the students. As we fall in line to collect our meals, I noticed the Governor was standing directly behind me wearing a track suite. He collected his meal, sat with the students and eat.

That day the dining hall which use to be noisy was as quite as a grave yard, because everybody was afraid of the Principal and not the Governor.

The Principal was visibly nervous when the Governor started interacting with senior students asking them questions. Such was his style. He moves around the state freely monitoring and supervising the activities of every Ministry. The present Governor of Borno state Professor Umara Zulum is a replica of shehu kangiwa’s style of leadership.

On 17th November 1981 sokoto lost one of its finest politician during a polo game in Kaduna.

We remembered him today not only for the development he brought to bear in our dear state but also for the difference he made.

Kangiwa became a yardstick for measuring successive administration in sokoto state.

As he Continue to rest in peace the miracle of his two years administration is still here with Us.

It was late Sani Aliyu Dandawo who said it all in his song. “sokoto duk gwamnatin da an kayi. Anyi tane kawai. Ba a yi irin ta kangiwa ba. In sokoto no administration is comparable to that of kangiwa.

Engr Aminu Ganda
Writes from sokoto.

Politics

200,000 APC Members in Kano Dismiss Allegations Against Ministerial Nominee Yusuf Abdullah Atta as Baseless

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Over 200,000 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State have dismissed allegations of incompetence against the ministerial nominee, retired Hon. Yusuf Abdullah Atta, as baseless. Some APC members in Kano believe the allegations stem from personal grudges held by a few individuals who are not legitimate members of the party.

In a statement, Mustapha Gidan Magani, the secretary of APC Kwaciri Ward, on behalf of the entire executive committee of APC Fagge Local Government Area, rejected the allegations of anti-party activities during the 2023 general election. The executives argued that those intending to submit a petition to the Senate, claiming to represent 50,000 APC members, have no legal standing to make such claims.

The APC executives from Fagge Local Government Area are prepared to counter the petition, asserting that it will have little impact on the confirmation of Atta as Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development. They expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for nominating Atta, highlighting his administrative skills and dedication to serving humanity.

 

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PDP Youth Activist Calls for Suspension of Shekarau, Bello Hayatu from the party

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Salisu Usman Karaskabuli, a youth activist of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano, has called for the immediate suspension of several high-ranking party members, including former governor Ibrahim Shekarau, Bello Hayatu Gwarzo, and Yahaya Bagobiri.

He accused them of sabotaging the party’s efforts in the state and hindering PDP’s progress in the region.

Addressing journalists in Kano, Salisu Karaskabuli alleged that Shekarau has engaged in anti-party activities during the 2023 governorship election.
“Despite being a PDP leader, the majority of his supporters backed the APC candidate,” Salisu Karaskabuli said.
He further claimed that Shekarau is already mobilizing his supporters to work for Senator Barau’s governorship ambitions in 2027, signaling ongoing disloyalty.

Salisu Karaskabuli also blamed the PDP National Vice Chairman for the Northwest Bello Hayatu Gwarzo for failing to unite the party across the region.
He noted that prominent PDP members, such as former governors Ibrahim Shema of Katsina and Ramalan Yero of Kaduna, had defected to other parties due to Gwarzo’s ineffective leadership.
Concerning the recent PDP congress in Kano, Usman expressed frustration, rejecting the outcomes of the ward, local government, and state congresses.
He accused the leadership of the party for partisan zoning and disqualifying candidates without valid reasons.

Further accusations were leveled at Yahaya Bagobiri, the chairman of PDP elders in Kano.
Salisu Usman claimed that Bagobiri had leaked sensitive party information to the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) leader Rabiu Kwankwaso.

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Usman Karaskabuli called on the national leadership of the PDP to investigate the accused members and, if found guilty, take appropriate disciplinary action.

The accusations come at a time when the PDP in Kano and the wider Northwest is grappling with internal divisions, which some fear could weaken the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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APC Youth Activist Urges President Tinubu to Appoint Murtala Sule Garo as Minister

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Sadiq Ali Sango

 

Sadiq Ali Sango, a prominent youth activist of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider appointing Murtala Sule Garo as a minister in the forthcoming cabinet reshuffle.
Sango made this known in a statement released to journalists in Kano.

The Federal Government recently announced that President Tinubu would soon reshuffle his cabinet, sparking widespread speculation over potential new appointees.
Sango expressed optimism that Garo, a grassroots politician with a proven track record, would be a fitting choice for a ministerial position.

“Murtala Sule Garo is not only a politician but a true son of the soil, with immense contributions to the APC in Kano,” Sango stated.
“His service as the APC’s deputy gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 election and his unwavering commitment to the party despite not having the reins of government in Kano makes him the ideal candidate for Tinubu’s cabinet.”

Sango further highlighted Garo’s role in holding the party together during difficult times, describing him as the “supporting pillar” of the APC in Kano.
“He has carried the party on his shoulders, providing support to party leaders and members alike,” he added.

With the APC no longer in control of Kano State’s government, Garo’s influence at the grassroots level has been pivotal for the party’s continued strength in the region.
According to Sango, Garo’s appointment would reinforce the party’s position in Kano and contribute to the success of President Tinubu’s administration.

The call for Murtala Sule Garo’s inclusion in the Federal Executive Council comes amid growing anticipation regarding the composition of the new cabinet and the need for strong political figures to represent Kano at the national level.

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