By Zaharaddeen Yakubu Shuaibu

Fifteen outstanding legislative activities, cutting across major spheres of the country’s socio-economic landscape have placed the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Inuwa Jibrin on the front burner in 2024.

His contributions spanned several key areas, including bill sponsorship, infrastructure development, empowerment initiatives, and scholarship programs from January to December 2024.

* Foreign PG scholarship to 70 students
In reverse order, the Deputy President of the Senate sponsored 70 students selected from the three senatorial districts of Kano State to pursue postgraduate studies in AI, Cybersecurity, and Forensic Science, among others, in India.

The beneficiaries, who departed the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA on Sunday, December 29th, are now in universities in India pursuing their studies in various ICT-related fields.

* Top bills sponsorship in Senate

Among the 109 senators in the country, Senator Barau, who is also the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, topped the bills sponsorship chart at the Upper Chamber.

Tallying the figure from the Rules and Business Committee of the Senate, the
members of the Senate Press Corps, the umbrella body of all journalists covering the Senate, presented the Deputy President of the Senate with the “Highest Development-Driven Bills Award.”

Chairman of the corps, Mr James Itodo, said that based on their analysis of bill sponsorship from June 13, 2023, when the 10th Assembly was inaugurated to December, 2024, their record showed that Senator Barau topped the bill sponsorship chart of the parliament.

* 1,000 Motorcycles to Kano Police Command

To enhance policing across the 44 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Kano State, Senator Barau facilitated 1,000 motorcycles to the Kano State Police Command.

The official handover ceremony took place at the Bompai Police Headquarters, and jubilant celebrations were held among the officers and personnel of the Nigeria Police Force on October 23rd, 2024.

* Splashing of motorcycles to players, officials of Barau FC

Following their promotion to the Nigerian National League (NNL), Senator Barau distributed motorcycles to the players and officials of his football club, Barau FC; in October, he splashed motorcycles to the players and officials as part of their rewards. This is in addition to the monetary bonuses awarded to the team.

* Renaming of Federal University of Education to Maitama Sule Federal University of Education Kano

Senator Barau’s bill for the renaming of the Federal University of Education to Maitama Sule Federal University of Education Kano has scaled through the first reading.

The renaming was in recognition of the contribution of the late elder statesman and diplomat to the development of Kano, the North and the country in general.

* Senate Constitution Review Committee Retreat in Kano

Senator Barau, who is also the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, led Senators and other stakeholders of the Committee to a retreat in Kano State. This significant gathering brings together key stakeholders to deliberate on critical amendments that will shape the nation’s future.

In his address, Senator Barau emphasised the importance of aligning the constitution with the aspirations and expectations of Nigerians, assuring that the task is to consider and recommend changes that will advance freedom, equality and justice for all while ensuring that our Constitution remains a robust framework that unites us as a people

* NWDC bill assent by Mr President

Tuesday, July 23, 2024, will remain a historic and unforgettable day in the history of Senator Barau’s political life and, indeed, the entire people of the seven states in the North West geopolitical zone. It was the day President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appended his signature to the North West Development Commission (NWDC) bill, making it an Act.

NWDC was established to address the developmental challenges in the Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Zamfara, and the seven North West states. Already, N585.9bn has been proposed for the commission’s takeoff in the 2025 budget proposal presented at the joint session of the National Assembly on December 18 by President Tinubu.

* 69 trucks of fertiliser to Kano farmers

One of the things that led to the bumper harvest recorded in Kano State in the last farming season was the distribution of 69 trucks of fertiliser to farmers across the 44 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Kano State.

Irrespective of political differences, senatorial districts, and other affiliations, Senator Barau distributed 41,400 bags of fertiliser to local farmers.

* Defection galore rocks NNPP

The gale of defection rocking the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Kano State started on July 26th with Muttaka Balarabe Tuta, who dumped the red cap movement courtesy of Senator Barau.

From then on, hundreds of top shots, leaders, and prominent members of the NNPP have been thrashing their red caps, the symbol of the Kwankwsiyya movement in Kano State. The development has given sleepless nights to the national leader of the party, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

* When ECOWAS Parliament relocated to Kano

In April, the ECOWAS Parliament, comprising lawmakers from 15 African countries, relocated to Kano, the centre of Commerce, for almost a week. It was the second extraordinary session of the 6th legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament.

Parliamentarians from 12 African countries attended the session courtesy of the Deputy President of the Senate, who acted as the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament for months.

* Launching of Kano North Transport Service (KNTS) with 107 busses

In April, Senator Barau launched the Kano North Transport Service (KNTS) to boost commercial activities in Kano North Senatorial District, Kano State and North.

* Rice to over 200,000 households in Kano

In his efforts to cushion the effects of economic hardships and assist the masses, the Deputy President of the Senate distributes rice to over 200,000 households during the year under review.

The gesture was shared across all groups of people within the three senatorial districts of the state, including clerics, party members, security agencies, and his constituents, among other groups.

* Shining star at international parliament scene

The Deputy President of the Senate participated in the 18th Conference of the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation – Parliamentary Union (OIC-PUIC) Member States in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.

The conference convened to address the critical issue of climate change under the theme “Climate change in the world: How do union members confront it?” This gathering was a significant platform for dialogue and collaboration, bringing together representatives from the 57 Member States of the OIC-PUIC.

* Honourary Doctorate Degree by BUK

The Bayero University Kano (BUK) conferred honourary doctorate degrees on the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, in recognition of his contributions to education and youth development.

The ceremony was held on Saturday, March 2, 2024, during the grand finale of the 38th convocation of the university at the New Campus of the institution, Gwarzo Road, Kano.

* Bichi gets Immigration Training School

Senator Barau also facilitated the establishment of a state-of-the-art Training School of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Bichi, Kano North, which will significantly bolster the nation’s security, on January 11, 2024.
This initiative underscores Senator Barau’s dedication to equipping NIS personnel with top-notch facilities for comprehensive training and retraining.
Similarly, Gwarzo, Danbatta, Dawakin Tofa, and Gabasawa are to get FUDMA study centres in line with Senator Barau’s vision to take university education to the doorsteps of his constituents.

These activities have endeared the Deputy President of the Senate to all stakeholders in Kano State, the North and across the country.

Shuaibu is the Personal Assistant to the Deputy President of the Senate on Print Media.

By Abba Anwar

I deliberately coined Barauism as a concept being inspired by values and principles of the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, suggesting his philosophy, movement and ideology for hastening the process of development in Kano, other parts of Northern Nigeria and the nation by extension.

Let me start by congratulating, not DSP Barau for now, but the process for the selection of his scholarship beneficiaries, numbering 70. Out of this number, 65 are males, while the remaining 5 are females.

Due diligence, merit, clear vision and above all, independence of the process and procedures, from start to finish, were the bedrock of the political will, which brought the successful candidates into limelight.

The first time, to my knowledge, in Northern Nigeria, probably the South also, except in rare case(s) if that existed, when an individual political office holder and/or elected representative, provided similar scholarship for the study of these carefully selected courses, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Robotic Science for such number of students. At a go. I stand to be corrected.

These are areas that shape our world today. Making those selected to be global citizens who, after finishing their programmes would come and hasten the process of development in Kano and the nation in general.

The first time in Kano recent history, when such number of students were sent abroad to study 21st Century programmes, at a go. I mean all courses of study for the entire 70 beneficiaries are 21st Century fields. Not even a government, talkless of an individual philanthropist. I am referring to the chosen areas of study. I stand to be corrected.

Just like Senator Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila, of Kano South and Hon Abubakar Bichi, representing Bichi Federal Constituency, Senator Barau moves to second stage of human Empowerment. With different style and approach. As the courses, country of study and institutions indicate.

This time around, not cash grants or craft tools, like sewing machines, farming implements and the rest. But education, education and education. Of carefully selected programmes.

Surely Barau understands the velocity at which societal growth and development move and fit into modern technology, that have all potentialities for global recognition and acceptance.

When it comes to improved healthcare, increased efficiency in all fabrics of the society, enhanced education and smart infrastructure, among others, Artificial Intelligence is there.

For improving and engaging real technology for national security, job creation and sustainable economic growth and development, among others, Cybersecurity takes charge. Barau has the intelligence to understand this calculus.

As Hon Barau clearly sees beyond local politics, he chooses some of the most relevant and marketable programmes for the already airlifted students for their higher Degrees. The choice of India, for these courses, is in itself extraordinary and engaging.

Under Robotics Science, industrial automation, productivity, accuracy and efficiency in manufacturing are well placed for improvement. While in the healthcare sector this all-important programme, plays an important role in adding up in the areas of patient care, surgeries as well as rehabilitation of global standard.

It also helps much in monitoring and mitigating effects of climate change, pollution and other natural disasters. People of such educational attainment, in Robotics, have an added advantage over others in studying and understanding the universe in a scientific way. That is space exploration at its best.

Just two days to new year, Barau witnessed the airlift of those beneficiaries, when he reveals that, “One of the areas that we have a problem in educating our youth is the northwestern part of this country. We have a youth population, which is an asset to us, but our problem is that they are not well-educated. And I feel that our number one solution to our problems is educating our youth.”

“And we understand the importance of human capital. It’s key to the development of every nation.

It’s in this regard that I feel that the best thing to do is to begin to educate, help, or complement what the president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is doing in terms of giving access to indigent students, our youth, who do not have the wherewithal, whose parents do not have the wherewithal to train them educationally.”

So he has the entire Northwest in mind.

As he also promised that, he would provide the beneficiaries with resources for their startups. This tells us that, Hon Barau is targeting at making Kano excel in innovation and entrepreneurship. To become Nigeria’s Silicon Valley.

Which will automatically lead to the emergence of new businesses and job opportunities for the overall development of the state.

While at the same time, such effort automatically leads to skills development, collaboration and teamwork for socio-economic impacts.

The nature and style of this scholarship where beneficiaries come from across local governments, not limited to his Constituency Kano North, but from all parts of the state, is the first of its kind.

People expect and wish that, other politicians, not only from All Progressives Congress (APC) should take a leaf from the Deputy Senate President, Distinguished Senator Barau I. Jibrin. Moving to second stage of empowerment programmes.

Anwar was former Chief Press Secretary to the former Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. Can be reach @ fatimanbaba1@gmail.com
31st December, 2024

By Adamu Isah Babura.

I would like to congratulate Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, on her promotion to the exalted rank of Professor by the Governing Council of Bayero University, Kano.

Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad is a trailblazer, becoming the first female professor from Babura local government in Jigawa state, after a distinguished nearly 20-year old career in the university system. She rose through the academic ranks, from Graduate Assistant to the exalted rank of Professor, while taking on various leadership roles within the university, such as Head of Department, Science and Technical Education and Director of the Center for Gender Studies.

Her expertise extends beyond the university, having served as the Provost of Jigawa State College of Education. Currently, she holds the esteemed position of Minister of State for Education, Federal Republic of Nigeria, leveraging on her vast experience to shape the country’s education landscape.

Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, the current Nigerian Minister of State for Education is an exemplary academic, a shining star in the area of Science Education. Her unwavering dedication, unrelenting passion, and uncompromising commitment to excellence have left an indelible mark on the lives of countless students, colleagues, and the academic community at large.

As a renowned scholar, Professor Ahmad’s contributions to her field of Science Education have been groundbreaking, insightful, and profoundly impactful. Her research has not only advanced our understanding of critical issues in the Education sector but has also informed policies, practice, and innovation.

A gifted and talented teacher, mentor, and a role model, Professor Ahmad has inspired generations of students to strive for excellence, cultivate love for learning, and develop into compassionate, thoughtful, and engaged citizens. Her ability to connect with students, to listen, guide, and nurture their growth is a rare gift, one that has earned her the admiration, respect, and gratitude of all who have had the privilege of learning from her.

Throughout her illustrious career in Bayero University, Kano and beyond, Professor Suwaiba has demonstrated remarkable leadership, collaborating with colleagues, institutions, and communities to advance the cause of education, promote social justice, and foster a culture of inclusivity, equity, and excellence.

As we celebrate Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad’s achievements on this great milestone, we honour not only her remarkable accomplishments but also her character, values, and unwavering commitment to making a positive difference in the world of Education. She is a true treasure, a beacon of hope, and an inspiration to us all.