Opinion

Kano As future Headquarters Of Poverty In Nigeria

Published

4 years ago

January 25, 2021

By Comrade Mahmud Shawai

Kano State is a great state in West Africa, which its history could be traced back to the 7th century or less than that according to historical checks. Kano is the commercial nerve center of Northern Nigeria, its motto is “Centre of Commerce” in Nigeria.

Kano produced gigantic business tycoons in the past and is still producing.

Late Alhaji Alhassan Dantata, a grandfather of African richest man, Aliko Dangote was an indigene of Kano State, a renowned business tycoon who was into the business of “kola nuts and groundnuts,” until his death he was the wealthiest man in West Africa.

Alh. Aliko Dangote GCON is an indigene of Kano who is a business magnate and philanthropist. He is the wealthiest person in Africa and the richest Black person in the world.

With these two people and many others not mentioned, we can conclude that Kano State is a center of business not only in Nigeria but, in the whole African continent.

Unfortunately, the Kano of today is not what it was in the past. The riches and prosperity are continuously diminishing though, the pace differs with the state’s Democratic leadership.

A Nigerian based Researcher Malam Ibrahim Ado Kurawa has said “Kano has 7.22 Million poor people together with Jigawa.”

He further stated that “Kano is the home of the first textile industry in Nigeria. Now Kano has 7.22million poor people along with Jigawa with its 5.05 million poor they contribute 15% of Nigeria’s poor people with less than 3% of the National Economy” (Nigerian Tracker).

It is obvious that if adjustments are not made these figures will keep multiplying until we reach the apex of poverty and become the epicenter and headquarters of poverty in the country.

Five factors that lead to the deterioration of poverty in Kano State.

1.Unexpertized Kano Road Traffic Agency (KAROTA), Operations: The Agency was established in the year 2011, within the jurisdiction of controlling road and traffic-related problems. But today, the agency is literally a Semi Revenue Generation Department, which focuses on extortion instead of educating the folks on the dos and don’ts of the traffic.

Observations show that KAROTA stops a significant number of people from coming to Kano state for business due to their oppressions and intended traps against commuters.

2.Insecurity: Insecurity today, in Northern Nigeria becomes a daily routine that we sleep and wake up with, more especially terrorism/banditry, kidnapping, and Boko Haram.

This led a significant number of people to leave their homes and investments for survival and most of the wholesalers in these states come to Kano for purchasing goods.

3.Bad Governance: Kano State is also suffering from poor governance whereby, most of the political leaders are engaging themselves in programs that will promote their names publicly, maximize their wealth and achieve their personal whims without considering the outcome of that particular event.

Succinctly, the state is suffering from the deadly fever of misrepresentation. The State Internal Revenue Service is always and promptly going after businessmen regardless of being small scale or large scale businesses, but unfortunately, the folks don’t get the feedback of what has been generated monthly, talk less of knowing where the revenue is allocated to.

Lack of transparency and accountability as well as misplacement of priorities gave a big blow to the state.

Just as recently, the federal government shared money to various states according to their transparency, accountability, and sustainability in a program named States Fiscal Transparency Accountability and Sustainable Initiatives.

Sokoto State which was rated the poorest state in Nigeria in 2021, by the National Bureau of Statistics, has the highest share of approximately six billion and six hundred million, while Kano State that happens to be the “Centre of Commerce” collected the lowest allocation approximately one billion and seven hundred million.

Muhuyi Magaji steps in to address foreign scholarship crisis in Kano

4.Youths Low Self-Esteem in Modern Businesses: Kano youths of today dwell in their past in terms of business, most of them have the low self-esteem to compete with their counterparts in other regions of the country. Most of the Northern youths do not know how to promote their personal businesses on social media as well as improving and maximizing their businesses through educating themselves online to reach the International standard.

5.Youth Competition in White-collar Jobs:

The economic growth and development of every society lie on the shoulder of businesses. No, any humble and trustworthy civil servant can compete with businessmen in terms of riches, but most of the youths of today use to abandon their personal businesses and seek jobs under governments and companies.

Recommendations

The state’s leadership should create a sustainable economic team that will be designed base on merit and not on political compensation
There should be a continuous awareness for youths to embrace skills acquisitions and endure in nurturing their small businesses till they reach an appreciable stage.
There must be synergy between large scale businessmen and small scale entrepreneurs. The former should have sympathy over the latter.
Leaders should know that the offices they are holding are privileges for them to control and manage the wealth of the led, not fundamental rights to maximize their personal wealth.
KAROTA, should be restructured and coordinated to operate within its jurisdictions.

Comrade Mahmud Shawai is the chairman North -West Youth Awareness Foundation

Opinion

Let President Tinubu Rename University of Lagos After Gowon, Not Abuja

Published

6 days ago

December 18, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

Adnan Mukhtar Tudun Wada

I was not happy when Northwest University Kano was renamed to Yusuf Maitama Sule University, as student leaders of that University then, we followed the interest of the students who were also not happy with the renaming at that time for one reason; the renaming was politically motivated, to hurt the founder of the institution Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso. I was busy mobilising students to protest, the next day I was invited to the DSS for questions where I spent hours and all the people we were mobilising the protest together ran and dissociated themselves from it. I have no option but to plead with the DSS to release me, assuring them that not a single student would protest the government’s action.

The renaming has affected many students who are seeking admission abroad; it’s Northwest University on my transcript and Yusuf Maitama Sule University on my certificate. This is kinda confusing and not good at all.

Politicians should immortalise individuals in their new projects not existing ones. The renaming of the University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University is not good for the university’s alumni.

The President should have found a new project or built a new University by naming it after the former Head of State.

I don’t support the idea of playing politics by renaming our universities and this happens mostly in Nigeria.

Imagine waking up renaming the University of Maiduguri to Mohammed Goni University, Yobe State University to Ibrahim Geidam University, the University of Ibadan to Abiola Ajimobi University, the University of Lagos to Lateef Jakande University.

It will be bad for the alumni of the aforementioned universities to come across this.

Why is this only happening in Africa? Look at Makerere University in Uganda, it was established in 1920 but despite Yoweri Mosevenni’s long reign; he didn’t for once attempt to change it to even his name for selfish reasons.

He didn’t think of renaming the Entebbe International Airport after him but in Nigeria, we have this culture of renaming everything after individuals.

If you want to be immortalised, leave a lasting legacy as Gowon did in establishing NYSC. That enough is Okay and better than naming an institution after him.

President Tinubu should have renamed the University of Lagos after Gowon, not Abuja. I’m sure his people will reject this not for any reason but because of the large number of people that will be affected by it.

The University of Abuja Alumni were all crying over this painful decision.

Opinion

Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya: Champion of Civil Society and Good Governance in Northern Nigeria

Published

1 week ago

December 16, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, is an influential Civil Society figure in Kano State and Northern Nigeria. He is currently serving as the Executive Director, Citizens for Development and Education (CDE), he has dedicated many years of his civil society activism as advocate for the promotion of democracy, good governance, anti-corruption, peace building and women empowerment

Amb. Waiya, holds number of academic qualifications, including a Higher National Diploma in Public Administration from Kano State Polytechnic, a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, Master’s in Public International Law at Maryam Abacha, American University, Maradi, and he is currently pursuing a doctor of philosophy at Skyline University, Kano in International Relations

In the course of his career, he held several positions and managed a number of projects. He served as the Director, Alhilal Foundation, from 2003 to 2007, an organization which focused on women empowerment, through basic literacy and skills acquisition. He later coordinated the North West Zonal Office of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Foundation. Amb. Ibrahim Waiya, led and coordinated a number of Local Government Councils Elections Observation missions across 19 Northern states.

In 2011, Waiya managed the Campaign against Drug Abuse under the auspices of Northern Youth Assembly, a youth driven platform with leadership structures in the Nineteen Northern States. He served as Secretary, for both, Kano State Stakeholders Committee on Anti-Drug Abuse Campaign and Kano State Stakeholders Committee on Anti-Child Abuse, a project which was coordinated by the office of the Special Adviser, Child Welfare and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. His involvement in election observation coordination missions and various public engagements, highlights his commitment to civic engagement towards community development, democracy and good governance

Waiya’s extensive experience includes free consultancy support services to numerous Government Ministries and Agencies such as: Kano State Ministry for Women Affairs and Social Development, Kano State Ministry for Community and Rural Development, office of the Special Adviser to the Governor of Kano State on Child Welfare, Ministry for Special duties, office of the special adviser, joint security services. He has facilitated numerous training workshops and seminars, impacting his knowledge, skills, experience on the community, particularly for community based organizations

In recognition of his contributions, he was appointed to several key positions, such as the President, of the Kano Civil Society Forum, Chairman of the Conference of Northern States Civil Society Networks, Convener, Nigeria for Peace Project, Managing partner, United Nigeria Project, Head of Secretariat, Kano Peace Committee, Secretary General, National Action for Women Agenda,(NAWA), chairman, Board of Trustees, Northern Youth Assembly, (Majalisar Matasan Arewa) Fellow, Institute of Security and Strategic Studies, Fellow, Institute of International Peace and Secure Society, Fellow, Institute of Business Diplomacy and Financial Management, member, Commission of Inquiry on Missing persons, member, Implementation Committee, on the Recommendations of the Report of the Commission of inquiry on missing persons, member, Commission of Inquiry to investigate, various political violence and cases of missing persons, that occurred in the State from 2015 – 2023, member, Commission of inquiry to investigate protest, arson and destruction of public and private properties that occurred from 1st – 10th August, 2024 Amb. Waiya, served as Consultant on various government projects, such as: Kano State Security Trust Fund, Safe Corridor, Campaign against Drug Abuse, across the 44 Local Government Council Areas. Amb. Waiya”s active participation in peace building, policy advocacy and legislative reform has continued to impact positive change in Kano State, the North and Nigeria at large.

Opinion

“I Transition to PR and Digital Marketing to Transform Brands Globally” – Ibrahim Ayyuba Isah

Published

1 week ago

December 15, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

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As 2024 comes to a close, Ibrahim Ayyuba Isah reflects on his journey from journalism to public relations (PR) and digital marketing. With over a decade of experience in media and communications, Ibrahim’s transition was fueled by a desire to empower businesses—starting with Northern Nigeria but extending globally—to build impactful narratives and achieve sustainable growth.

“Every brand, regardless of location, deserves access to the tools and expertise needed to thrive in today’s fast-paced world,” Ibrahim says. “My goal has always been to bridge the gap in strategic communication, ensuring that no business is left behind.”

From Journalism to Strategic Communication

Ibrahim’s illustrious journalism career spans over a decade, during which he served as a Senior Reporter at TVC News, covering critical developments, including the Kano State Government House for three successive administrations. His work involved breaking major news stories, producing multimedia content, and engaging audiences through digital platforms.

“I’ve always been passionate about communication, but I realized I wanted to do more than report stories—I wanted to help brands craft their own,” Ibrahim shares. “That’s what led me to pivot into PR and digital marketing.”

To equip himself for this new journey, Ibrahim pursued advanced studies, earning a Master’s in Communication Studies and a Master’s in Public Relations from Bayero University, Kano. He further honed his expertise with a Professional Certificate in Digital Marketing from the London School of Business Administration and a Master Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Digital Marketing Skills Institute. These credentials underscore his commitment to mastering the art of strategic communication.

Empowering Brands Through Ayrah Media Concept

As the CEO of Ayrah Media Concept (AMC), Ibrahim leads a PR and creative agency that provides businesses with tailored solutions, including PR consulting, social media management, corporate campaigns, and digital marketing.

“My vision is to empower brands to connect with their audiences, tell compelling stories, and achieve global relevance,” Ibrahim explains. “Through AMC, we’re showing businesses—whether in Northern Nigeria or beyond—that they can reach new heights with the right strategies.”

In 2024, AMC worked on several impactful campaigns, including Ibrahim’s role as a Lead Consultant for the WOFAN-ICON2 project in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, where he developed and executed PR and communication strategies to amplify the project’s impact.

Changing Perceptions and Building Bridges

Transitioning into PR and digital marketing came with challenges, including shifting perceptions about its value.

“Many businesses see PR and digital marketing as optional rather than essential,” Ibrahim says. “But the results are transformative. Strategic communication is not just about visibility; it’s about building trust, credibility, and lasting connections with your audience.”

This philosophy drives Ibrahim’s approach, ensuring that businesses of all sizes—whether local startups or established corporations—can access high-quality PR and marketing services.

Looking Ahead

Ibrahim’s vision for the future extends far beyond regional boundaries. While his roots and passion lie in Northern Nigeria, his focus is on creating strategies that resonate globally.

“Brands in Kano, Lagos, Abuja, or even New York share a common goal: to connect with people and make an impact,” he says. “My mission is to ensure that every business, regardless of size or location, has the tools and strategies to achieve that.”

In 2025, Ibrahim plans to document his professional journey in a book that will explore his experiences as a journalist and PR expert, offering insights into the evolving landscape of communication and its role in business success.

A Message of Gratitude

As he reflects on the year, Ibrahim expresses his gratitude to those who have supported his journey. “I’m incredibly thankful to my mentors, collaborators, and clients who have believed in my vision. Together, we’ve shown that impactful communication has the power to transform lives and businesses.”

With a clear vision and an unwavering commitment to excellence, Ibrahim Ayyuba Isah is poised to lead the way in redefining PR and digital marketing, not just in Nigeria but across the globe.