Opinion

Kano’s Protracted Developmental Inequality And The Need For Alternative City

Published

4 years ago

March 4, 2021

By Muhammad A Haske

The tenure of Professor Abdalla Uba Adamu as Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) recently ended in February 10, 2021. He bows out as a rare educational superman and radical reformer even as his exit was greeted with avalanche of eulogies, commendations and celebrations.

During his stewardship, apart from transforming the university rating to all-time high, he has also expanded access to quality educational opportunities for the most marginalised and remote areas nationwide. In his home state, Kano, Prof. Abdallah has through collaboration with state legislators at the National Assembly made a bold attempt to break an age-long jinx of Kano city monopoly of educational access points. He was able to astonishingly increase the number of NOUN study centres in Kano State from only one to seventeen, a development that re-inscribed his name in gold in Kano hall of fame.

However, this unprecedented feat achieved by Abdallah has not only brought to the fore the lingering marginalisation of the Kano south senatorial district but further exposed the total lack of commitment of our political leaders in zone particularly members of the National assembly towards changing the narratives of lopsidedness in spacial distribution of projects.

Breast Feeding:: Kano Trains 1,320 Women On Mass Production Of Soya Pie, Juice.

It seems to suggest that the plight of our people and neglect of the area was almost a self –inflicted. Of the seventeen established new centres; Kano South senatorial zone, the largest and most rural with sixteen local government areas(LGAs) has no single study centre while Kano North senatorial district has thirteen study centres; one in each of its thirteen LGAs of Shanono, Bagwai, Rimin Gado, Dawakin Tofa, Kabo, Tofa, Bichi, Danbatta, Gwarzo, Kunchi, Makoda,Gabasawa and Tsanyawa. Kano Central zone has four mega centres in Dakata, Dawakin Kudu, Fagge and Kwaciri study centres. It’s worthy to note that Dawakin Kudu study Centre is the biggest in Nigeria. All of the facts above are verifiable @ www.nou.edu.ng.

While commending Sen. Barau I. Jibrin, Hon. Mustapha Bala Dawaki and Hon. Aminu Goro of Kano North senatorial zone, DawakinKudu/Warawa and Fagge Federal constituencies respectively for such unparalleled achievements that led provision numerous jobs and educational prospects for their constituents, I would like to respectfully draw the attention political stakeholders from the Kano South particularly Federal Lawmakers to wake up from their slumber and be strategic in bring more dividends of democracy to their people. How this could happen to an area that produces some of the best, longest and most influential national assembly members; Sen. Kabiru Gaya and Hon. Alasan Ado Doguwa must take largest share of the blame.
Even though optimistic, I speculatively heard and doubt the viability of a bill to establish a Federal College of Education, (FCE), Tudunwada Dankadai being sponsored by Hon. Alasan Ado Doguwa, because currently Kano hosts two FCEs and only miracle can make it the only state in the federation to have three FCEs. Similarly, for more than three years, the intrigues on where to site the proposed Federal polytechnic in Kano are compounding by the day and its proposed establishment bill is still pending in the air. It’s proposed to be sited in Kwaciri, later changed to Kabo then to Rano. Now nobody knows where.

Kano State as the Nigeria’s centre of commerce, most populous state and prides herself as the giant of the North. In terms of mega infrastructures, cosmopolitan composition, population, economic potency, rich cultural heritage and history, Kano is unmatched to any state in the north. Even with Kano’s superiority slogan of “Ko da me ka zo an fika, there exist a protracted neglect and infrastructural inequality in the state. It’s such a huge irony where the city is rated the best in the North while its rural LGAs are some of the remotest. Also, on critical state-by-state comparison, factoring into cognisance the one-city nature of the state, one could easily realise that Kano state not Kano city is only an overcharge that most of the so called rural states are far better than it. Most of our neighbours were able create at least one city/semi city in their state. For example; Kaduna state has two other alternative cities of Zaria, Kafanchan, Katsina (Daura, Malumfashi, Dutsin-ma), Jigawa (Hadejia, Kazaure and Birnin Kudu), Yobe (Potiskum and Gashua) and so on. Residents of these sub-cities could live their places without putting much pressure on the capital. And it was on this note even Lagos state conceived the idea and developed the Atlantic City.

Successive state governments in Kano have paid little or no attention on the need for fair distribution of development. Although, Kano as a state has been united but there are still unnoticed agitations in the state over political dominance particularly in the extreme southern part of the state. The defunct Movement for the creations of Tiga and Ghari States out Kano were indeed classical examples of existence of such agitation. The euphoria that greeted the recent balkanization of Kano emirate was also relevant.

All previous efforts to create cities far away from Kano have failed; from Governor Shekarau’s effort to urbanise Rano, Bichi and Wudil to Kwankwaso’s five kilometre project up to Ganduje’s Karkara salamu alaimu aialikum. While almost all LGAs headquarters in Jigawa state could boast of effective network of township roads, not a single non- metropolitant LGA could do so in Kano. The earlier we realised the extreme need to develop alternative city in Kano state with view the ultimate aim of decongesting the city, the better for us. Previous efforts of expanding the city have not yielded the desired result as Amana, Kwankwasiyya and Bandirawo cities are still empty. While expansion of the city should be sustained, the need to have second state capital in the state is imperative and sacrosanct.

It’s unfortunate that Kano is a one-city state where almost all the higher institutions in the state are concentrated either within the city or within the radius of 50km from the city, a development that put unwarranted pressure on the city and caused unprecedented rural-urban migration with attendant economic and social consequence on the city. It also has the potency of exploding further the city’s population that grows almost exponentially.

For the sake of emphasis, I would like to re-echo again that, in addition to multi-billion naira flyovers, underpasses and bridges, there are presently no fewer than twenty three (23) higher institutions of learning located either within the city or at least 50km radius from the city. In Kano metropolis alone, we have Bayero University, Kano (both old and new campus), Federal College of Education (FCE), Kano, Yusuf Maitama Sule University (Northwest), Kano Polytechnics, Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education(SRCOE), School of Nursing, College of Health Technology, School of Hygiene, Aminu Kano college of Islamic and legal studies(ACKCILS), Aminu Kano teaching Hospital(AKTH), Digital Bridge Institue, Stored Products Institute and Aminu Dabo College of Health Technology. Others are the newly established private universities of Skyline, Maryam Abatch Univesity of Nigeria, City Capital University, At-tanzil University. Other institutions that are within the radius of 50km from the city are Federal College of Education (Technical), Bichi (41km), Kano State University of Science and Technology (KUST), Wudil (41.2km), Audu Bako College of Agriculture, Danbatta (47km), School of Midwifery, Danbatta(47km) School of Nursing, Madobi (37.6km), National Police University (Police Academy) Wudil (41.2km). Why wouldn’t the city be overstretched?

Kano’s lack of alternative city was one the main reason for its exploding urban-rural migration, population, poor town planning and congestion. According to IQ Airvisual, Switzerland, Kano is one of the most polluted cities with 53.4% pollution.
Against this background that I would like to reiterate that I am not against the idea of constructing mega structures in Kano, in fact I would advocate building for more. However, I only want to advocate for fair distribution of social infrastructure and urge the relevant political stakeholders to see reason in the idea for developing Kano’s rural LGAs especially the one far away for this is only way to decentralize development and creation of alternative city for the betterment of our people.

Muhammad A.Haske,No.018 Jos Road Tudun-wada Dankadai Kano State ,muhdhaske2007@gmail.com .

Opinion

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

Published

4 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

6 days 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

7 days 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.