Opinion

What Would Prof Hafiz Abubakar Do With An Uncivilized Society?

Published

3 years ago

May 21, 2022

Professor Hafizu Abubakar Former Deputy Governor

By Ibrahim Abdulganiyu Surajo

To start with; On May 14, 2022 Daily Nigerian reported that Mr Hafiz Abubakar a Professor of nutrition, while delivering a public lecture in Kano stated and I quote “In a civilized society, Gawuna and Garo should be in prison”. This literally means an insult to the entire people of Kano by indirectly describing them as “Uncivilized” people. On the above, I wish to call on the Professor of nutrition to as a matter of urgency tender an unreserved apology to the entire people of Kano. I will further quote “I take the example of Kano today. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, today in Kano, we have billboards which are celebrating those people that led to the inconclusive election of 2019, whose video is nationally and internationally available, showing the two of them, going to the polling station to disrupt and steal votes”.

On the above allegations mated on Gawuna and Garo I will like to add and clarify that, the duo went there upon receipt of a report over some suspected activities that may not favor them. Whereas some elements took the advantage of social media sending all sorts of negativities. Additionally, Professor of nutrition may wish to note that; Kano people are civil and leaving in a civilized society (Kano). Hence the reason why after your party petitioned against the labelled allegations you made against the party of Gawuna and Garo to the Commission , a civilized Professor answered and corrected your party claims as quoted below:

“I write to acknowledge receipt of your petition on the above subject matter. I also wish to inform you that the Commission received reports from the Gama Registration Area Collation Officer and Nasarawa Local Government Collation Officer to the effect that Collation process at the Local Government was disrupted at the Nasarawa Local Government Area Collation Centre for Governorship and State House of Assembly elections.The following observations were made in respect of your submission:

You cited that the Gama Registration Area (RA) has 88 Polling Units, whereas, it has 62 Polling Units and 26 Voting Points.The attached Annexure ‘A’ which you titled “Summary of Statement of Results of Poll From Polling Unit Election to the Office of Governor Kano State (FORM EC8A)” showing votes scored by PDP and APC contains 77 entries NOT 62 and 18 of the entries carry the serial numbers of result sheets for voting points (see serial nos. 8, 9, 16, 17,18, 19, 20, 23, 28, 38, 45, 50, 51, 54, 57, 60, 66, 71 and 76) while the remaining 59 entries carry serial numbers of result sheets for polling units. Please note that Voting Points cannot stand alone as Polling Units.The Annexure ‘B’ which you titled “Copies of the Polling Units of Gama Registration Area result sheets” contains seventy (70) pages and not seventy seven (77). Also the manually paginated sheets of the EC8A and EC8A (VP), have no pages 13, 32, 33, 41, 43, 44, 45, 46 and 75. Page 61 was misplaced in the sequential arrangement. Three other attachments were not paginated.

The result sheets for voting points (EC8A (VP)) are pages 8, 9, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 28, 38, 50, 51, 54, 57, 60, 66, 71 and 76. Please also note that the result sheet EC8A (VP) with number 0011188 paged as 51 was attached twice and the duplicated copy is among those not paginated.This means a total sixty nine (69) different result sheets were attached as Annexure B out of which Eighteen (18) are for voting points. So in total, you have attached fifty two (52) result sheets for polling units instead of sixty two (62). Also note that entry with serial no. 45 in Annexure A with form number 0011179 is for voting point and is among those not attached in Annexure B.You erroneously computed the results of voting points together with those of polling units in arriving at the scores you recorded for both PDP and APC in your Annexure A.This amounts to duplication because the results from such Voting Points had earlier been transferred to mother Polling Units during Collation at Polling Unit level.The Commission is not in receipt of any document validly signed to establish the veracity of your claim on the result of Gubernatorial or State Assembly election for GAMA RA.The Ward Collation Officer for GAMA RA, in his report acknowledged the receipt of EC8A from all Presiding Officers and had completed EC8B for presentation at the LGA Collation Center before the crisis that erupted at the Collation Center. These were the primary and secondary sources for regenerating results but were lost in the unfortunate incident. Also, please note, that security personnel do not “endorse” any election result to make it valid.From the report of the Nasarawa Local Government Collation Officer, the Gama Ward Collation Officer began presentation of the results he collated at the ward level but was stopped and instructed to go and reconcile the figures which could not tally. In addition, he was asked to write the names of all the Polling Units on the EC8B instead of the codes alone.Twice he had to be sent back because the figures did not tally.This reconciliation took over 18 hours without reaching a conclusion due to disagreement on the entries made on the EC8B between the Agents of Political Parties.The LGA Collation Center was attacked and vandalized before the process was completed.In line with the provision of Regulations and Guideline for the conduct of Elections, Schedule I (6&7), the Commission regenerated the results for 10 other wards from Forms EC8A and EC8B that were under its custody. In respect of Gama RA, collation at the LGA was not concluded and the original copies of EC8A and EC8B could not be obtained because all the results were lost in the fracas. Please also be informed that the position of the Commission is very clear in respect of recounting of Ballot Papers. It can only be carried out once at the Polling Unit level on request from any party agent.That the documents submitted by you as Annexures A and B cannot be used to regenerate the ‘results of Gama RA because of the discrepancies observed and pointed out.That the reference and comparison of the Commission’s decision in respect of Bauchi Governorship election is not tenable because they have entirely different scenarios.That the ‘Margin of Lead’ in Ogun as cited in your final prayer is not comparable to the situation in Kano.The Commission wishes to state emphatically that a supplementary election In Gama Registration Area alongside other Registration Areas and Polling Units where cancellations were made due to violence and over-voting in the state remains the only viable option for the Commission to conclude the process of conducting gubernatorial election in Kano State”.

Finally, arriving from the above corrections made by a civilized Professor against the claims or allegations made against Gawuna and Garo by a Professor of nutrition; and the thinking to challenge the verdict of a Court of competent jurisdiction, vis a vis insulting Kano people by calling us uncivilized society, I wonder to know who supposed be in prison. A professor should always speak from the intellectual perspective and with integrity. Thank you and may God bless our Kano.

Ibrahim Abdulganiyu Surajo, writes from Tukuntawa,Kano State

Opinion

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

Published

5 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

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.