By Ibrahim Adam

In the sacred valleys of Mina, where millions gather seeking divine mercy, something unusual happened.

It wasn’t the rituals or the crowd—it was the sight of a Nigerian governor moving quietly from tent to tent, pressing warm greetings into pilgrims’ palms alongside 250 Saudi Riyals, and whispering “Barka da Sallah” like a father would to his children.

That governor was Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State. And for the over 3,345 Kano pilgrims under his care, this was more than a religious journey—it became a deeply human experience of being seen, valued, and loved.

“He walked with us,” said Alhaji Musa from Gwale, his voice trembling with emotion. “Not as a politician. As one of us. As a brother.”

A Leader Who Showed Up

Governor Yusuf’s Hajj story didn’t start in Saudi Arabia. Months earlier, in Kano, he stood before hundreds of hopeful pilgrims and made a promise:

“We will not let the burden of cost block your path to the House of Allah.”

Initially, he pledged 200 Saudi Riyals per pilgrim. But upon arrival in the Kingdom, he increased it to 250 Riyals, further surprising the pilgrims with a gesture that felt both generous and personal.

When currency instability threatened the Basic Travel Allowance, he released over ₦376 million in emergency support to ensure each pilgrim received their full $500.

“He didn’t leave us at the airport. He followed us to Makkah, to Mina, to Arafat,” said Hajiya Rabi from Dala.

“He came before everyone, inspected our hotels, tasted our meals, asked about our beds.”

He wasn’t just preparing for the cameras. He was preparing for the people.

In Mina, a Governor Turned Father

Under the scorching Saudi sun in Mina, where sleep is brief and emotions run high, the governor emerged quietly with his team a day after Eid.

No sirens. No announcement. Just warmth.

He moved from tent to tent, personally distributing 250 Riyals to every single Kano pilgrim—3,345 in total. The joy was instant. The emotion, overwhelming.

“When he announced the money, I started crying,” said Hajiya Safiya, an elderly widow from Dawakin Tofa.
“I didn’t expect him to even visit, let alone remember us.”

It wasn’t just about the money. It was the humility of the gesture. The human touch.

Three Square Meals and a Human Connection

For many pilgrims, this was also the most comfortable Hajj they had ever experienced—not in luxury, but in dignity.

• In Makkah, pilgrims received two hot meals daily.

• In Mina and Arafat, where pilgrims often struggle for food, they enjoyed three full meals per day—fresh, consistent, and culturally familiar.

And it wasn’t just the quality of the food. Meals were brought directly to the pilgrims’ doorsteps—ensuring no one was left out or delayed.

This small but thoughtful gesture meant every pilgrim ate on time and with ease.

“I have been to Hajj before,” said Malam Bala, a retired teacher.

“But this time, I was never hungry. I didn’t fall sick. I felt cared for.”

The governor’s presence ensured clean toilets, mobile clinics, and direct coordination with Saudi authorities to ease the movement of pilgrims—especially the elderly.

Words of Guidance, Not Just Gifts

Even amid his generosity, Governor Yusuf remained focused on purpose. He addressed pilgrims in a heartfelt sermon, urging them to pray for peace in Nigeria and to uphold Kano’s good name.

“You are not just here for yourself,” he said.

“You are here for your family, your state, your country. Conduct yourself with humility. Saudi law is strict—stay away from anything suspicious.”

His warning was gentle but firm. His tone—not that of a boss, but of a leader who cares enough to correct you with love.

A Memory Etched in Spirit

What made this Hajj unforgettable wasn’t just the money, the food, or the logistics. It was the presence of a leader who chose to be among his people, not above them.

“When I tell my children about Hajj 2025, I will say: ‘We went with a governor who stood by us, prayed with us, cared for us,’” said Malama Hadiza, her voice cracking.

The phrase “Ya yi mana kamar uba”—He was like a father to us—echoed from tent to tent.

Final Thoughts: A Hajj Beyond Rituals

In the end, it wasn’t the rituals alone that defined this Hajj for Kano pilgrims.

It was the tears shared, the prayers offered, the Riyals gifted—not from a government account, but from a governor’s heart.

Governor Abba K Yusuf reminded everyone watching that leadership is not about distance, protocol, or pride—it’s about presence.

About walking among your people when they are at their most vulnerable. About reminding them they are not alone.

And that—more than the meals, the money, or even the smooth logistics—is what they will remember.

He walked with us. And we will never forget.

Ibrahim Adam is a Special Adviser to the Kano State Governor on Information and Head of Hajj Media Team 2025.

From Abba Anwar

Study reveals that, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau I. Jibrin emerges as the Most Influential Senator from Northern Nigeria consisting of 19 states of the federation.

An umbrella platform of 27 organizations, called, Indivisible Nigerian Project, made this known before Nigeria’s Democracy Day, June 12, celebration, kickstart, after an Executive Meeting in Nassarawa state.

In a letter signed by Northern Convener of the platform, Dr Danjuma Monday Keffi, and transmitted to the Deputy Senate President, it was disclosed that, all the affiliated organizations engaged in one way or the other, in scrutinizing all Northern Senators from 2024 to 2025.

This study which followed a scientific engagement and analysis, views, not only positions held by different Senators from North, it gives emphasis to the impact of individual Senators to their respective constituencies. Individual efforts in life saving interventions and responsible approach to human development, are part of the working indices.

The study document, reveals that, Senator Jibrin’s non-preferential treatment of all parts of Nigeria, in his legislative responsibilities gained many points for him. Which could at the same time oil his engine of national capacity.

“This work is a rigorous and time consuming exercise, which beams an independent light in search of objective realities for all our Distinguished Northern Senators. With the view to understanding more committed and engaging legislators,” says the document.

Though Senator Jibrin, according to the study, “… is representing Kano North Senatorial District, but his work cuts across all parts of the country. Especially on matters around Bills sponsorship and following same to logical end.”

Some few examples were figured out in the report. “Even before the years under study, ie 2024/2025, Senator Barau Jibrin has been a consistent contributor and engaging legislator of substance in serving all parts of the Nigeria.”

They identified few Bills which he sponsored and were not for his state even, not to talk of his constituency, Kano North.

Among them are Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Bill (2023), Federal College of Education (Technical), Aghoro Bill (2019), in Bayelsa state, College of Mines and Geological Studies, Guyuk, Bill (2019), Federal University of Aquatic Studies, Ogharu, Bill (2019), in Anambra state and University of Maritime Studies, Oron, Bill (2017), Development Planning and Projects Continuity Bill (2023), among others.

To them such and similar Bills wouldn’t have scaled through to see the light of the day, if the particular sponsor is not that influential on the floor of the Senate and in the sight of the Executive.

Looking at his position, as the Deputy Senate President, from the North, it could therefore be natural to say, Senator Jibrin is Influencial. Or more influential than his Northern colleagues.

But this organization looks beyond that, in fact they argue that, holding higher position does not necessarily translate into being influencial. To them, position and influence are not always twins.

It was their meticulous and unbiased analysis of his achieved influence that, gives birth to the final result. Where he emerges as the Most Influential Northern Senator.

While it is believed that, there exists joint – influence among Senators, it is also understood that, DSP has special place in the eyes of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Arguing that, how Bills sponsored by the Deputy Senate President gets Presidential assent, after being passed by the Red Chamber, is an important administrative-cum-legislative aspect to be considered. The speed it takes for his sponsored Bills to get Presidential nod is noteworthy and gingering.

That special treatment, if you like, was more evident and glaring when you visit and revisit process and procedures followed when Barau sponsored Bills during plenary sessions. A Senator with an excellent disposition of legislative technicalities.

It could only take an influencial Senator to sponsor Bill establishing a Federal Polytechnic and sponsoring another to effect the change of name of the not-long-ago established Polytechnic, to University status. All got Presidential assent within no time.

This is a case of Federal Polytechnic, Kabo, which has recently been changed to Federal University of Science and Technology, Kabo, a local government under his constituency. Even the establishment of Federal College of Science and Technology, Rano, from Kano South Senatorial District, has the unwavering blessing of Senator Jibrin, as highlighted by this platform.

According to the study, it also takes a highly influential Senator to, within a twinkle of an eye, lobbied for the renaming of Federal College of Education, Kano, (it’s renaming to University was abolished during Buhari administration – su Buhari manya) to Federal University of Education, Kano. And to, within a span of brief time, lobbied again, to the Presidency, to rename the University to Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano.

The establishment of North West Development Commission (NWDC) in 2024, is his effort, assisted by his other colleagues. He singlehandedly sponsored the Bill and got Presidential assent with no tear.

The study discloses that, “Senator Barau Jibrin’s all-engaging influence created a corridor for the first regional endorsement of President Tinubu. That was started from North West and subsequently transported to other regions and associations.”

The document indicates that, DSP’s influence among other considerations, paved way for Tinubu’s recent endorsement that took place at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

In my personal view, it could be DSP’s overt and covert influences that move some Nigerians to start insinuating that, he would get higher national office, come 2027. Whether true or half-truth, he has all it takes. No doubt about this. Apart from his political shock absorbers, the substance and patriotic commitment in him, places him above many. Neither a floating Senator, but a proving legislator. Who proves his mettle at whatever rate.

To further accentuate how solid and objective their study appears, they cited that there was similar study recently conducted by another group entirely different from theirs, which presented the Senator as the Most Visible Northern Legislator.

To be specific they made reference to the online version of Daily Trust newspaper of Wednesday, 14th May, 2025, which published a piece captioned “DSP Barau : Most Visible Northern Legislator.”

In that publication they quoted the person who signed the opinion polls report, the National Coordinator of the platform, James Audu Dogo, who says, “At whatever length, the Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin, appears to be the most visible and responsive Senator in both the Nigerian media and African media respectively.”

The same report challenged that, “Out of the total Northern Senators included in the process, DSP scores above 95 percent. When it comes to public presentation towards his primary constituency. As he becomes frequent visitor to his primary constituency. Where he briefs electorate as and when due. Not a seat-warmer legislator.”

They quoted the group as Media – Legislative Engagement for Democracy ( M- Len4D).

Dr Keffi said very soon the platform would go and present an Award of Excellence to the Deputy Senate President for emerging as the Most Influencial Senator in Northern Nigeria.

Anwar, was Chief Press Secretary to the former Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje CON and can be reached at fatimanbaba1@gmail.com
Sunday, 8th June, 2025.

It’s no longer a secret that artificial intelligence is reshaping the world. The wave of this technology is no longer coming; it is here. Yet, one must ask this critical and lingering question: Do Nigerian leaders truly grasp the full implications of artificial intelligence?

I raised this question because in Nigeria, those in power often seem disconnected from the realities of the world, including technological advancement—a dangerous gap in an era defined by innovation.

While nations are gearing their belts towards policies that will enhance AI usage in critical areas of human endeavors like health, education, security, communication, and data gathering, including ethical policy conversations around it—Nigeria is stuck between denials and lack of purposeful leadership.

The hard truth is this: a nation can not outpace the vision—or limitations—of its ruling elite. If we continue electing leaders based on anything other than competence and capability, we will keep lagging behind in development while the rest of the world moves forward.

Now, I’m not saying our leaders must be tech-savvy experts—far from it. Leadership isn’t about knowing everything; it’s about recognizing talent and delegating wisely.

A true leader doesn’t need to be an all-around specialist; however, when they lack expertise in critical fields like AI, they must have the discernment to identify and appoint the needed experts into relevant positions of authority.

I believe the solution to this is simple: just empower the people with the relevant skills and capacity.

This brings us to Nigeria’s greatest untapped resource: the youth. We have a generation brimming with potential, brilliant minds across our universities and tech hubs, ready to drive change through innovation, research, and sheer determination.

Nonetheless, what is missing is the Nigerian leadership willing to harness this potential—to place these bright minds at the forefront of national development.

Nigeria’s AI future won’t be built by accident. It requires intentional leadership, and the way forward is clear: we must elect leaders who prioritize competence, delegate wisely, and unlock the potential of our people.

Only then can we stop falling behind and start leading.

But the question is, how prepared are Nigerians for this competent and thoughtful leadership style that will harness the full potential of the country in artificial intelligence and other sectors?

Are we ready to continue to elect leaders based on their party acronyms, manifestos, tribe and region, or is it time to consider competence?

It is our answers that will justify what we yearn for as a nation.

Auwal Sani wrote from the Department of Development and Strategic Communication, University of Abuja.