By Abubakar shehu kwaru

Let me begin by confessing that, going by the little knowledge i acquired when I was an undergraduate at Bayero university Kano, about two decades ago on the qualities of good leader as contained in the fourteen principles of Henry Fayol, a scholar of business administration as
according to him, a leader must be honest, hard working, responsible, exemplary , discipline, knowledgeable, conceptual thinker, decent and above all be able to unite subordinates.

On the other hand, some scholars are of the view that some people were born to lead and are charismatic in nature hence possess qualities of good leadership but unfortunately they are rare in a given environment.

Way back in 2007, when i attended a Millennium Development Goals MDG youth sensitisation programme organised by citizenship and leadership Training centre Abuja,
absolutely, during the fora, we were specifically taught on the attributes of a credible leader.

A leader with the aforementioned qualities in the contemporary days can be a special or an extra ordinary person whom can be lonely amidst thousands of people, that is why I picked Honourable Murtala Sule Garo as my idol thus, the writing is solely on him.

You can believe me if I confess that I am lucky in my long research and findings having of few potentials to the very sensitive and most top ranking positions in the commercial nerve centre in the west Africa sub-region.

Bearing in mind that, sometimes ‘man proposes but God disposses ‘ as God time is the best and boldly speaking, what He destined in you is the best despite your hastiness, anxiety, qualifications, exposure and massive admiration.

It will be recalled that, way back during 2023 elections, the All progressive Congress (APC) anointed the then Deputy Governor Dr Nasir Yusuf Gawuna and Honourable Murtala Sule Garo (aka commander) as its flag bearers for Governor and Deputy Governor ‘s seats in kano respectively but the dream was not practical as God the supreme being has chosen the incumbent chief executive Engineer Abba Kabir Yusuf for the exalted post .

The secret behind the nomination of these candidates absolutely, would not be unconnected with their track records in politics and their superb rapport with the wider society.

Take the running mate Honourable murtala Sule Garo for example, a considerate, amiable, courageous , kind-hearted dedicated, hard working, agile, peace loving, patriotic and a leader par excellence who has all the qualities of steering a state like Kano if accorded the mandate.

Honourable Murtala Sule Garo was born about five decades away in Garo town of kabo local government area, Kano north senatorial district and hailed from a royal family as his father Alhaji Sule Galadima Garo of blessed memory was a traditional title holder (Galadiman Garo).

He attended both islamic and western education schools since his childhood before he joined politics.

Garo was onetime state organising secretary of Peoples Democratic Party PDP until his election as Executive chairman of Kabo local government council in 2013 and consequently chairman of All local government of Nigeria (ALGON) Kano chapter during the second tenure of senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso as Governor, a position that opens up and exposed the ability, capacity and leadership attributes of the young talented political icon in kano.

Honourable murtala Sule Garo as time goes on was appointed commissioner for local government by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje in 2015 and reappointed him on similar post in 2019 in view of his effort in matching words with actions hence called with several handsome names that matches his traits.

It is no longer a story that Commander as he is fondly called by his admirers used all available means in transforming lives of many irrespective of their party affiliations as well as gave free hands to council chairmen to observe their spelt out functions.

Definitely, describing murtala Sule Garo as the type of politician that Kano needs the most especially in this present situation when the state Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is committed in turning Kano to a mega city which is one of the major reasons that
compelled him to decamp from NNPP to APC recently.

There is no doubt that, selecting a workaholic, resilient, and true democrat will steadily but surely reboost the cardinal objectives, policies and programmes of the present administration in the state.

Delightfully, With Garo as second in command, by virtue of his political antecedents Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf will sleep with two eyes closed.

The lieutenants behind the Grand commandant (Garo) will be all out and ready for the battle including his immediate successor at the ministry for local government and former Executive chairman of Nassarawa local government council and ALGON Chairman then, Honourable Lamin Sani Kawaji as well as Former Executive chairman of Karaye local government council and Garo’s successor at ALGON level Honourable Ibrahim Ahmad Karaye (Madaki).

Other commanders are former Executive chairmen of Kano municipal Mukhtari Ishaq Yakasai, Honourable Saleh Kausani of wudil, Abubakar Ali Minister of Ungogo, Honourable Ibrahim Hamisu Rimi of Sumaila but to mention a few.

In the quest to ensure good and transparent administration, credible, reliable and grassroot politicians must be brought forward aimed at attaining better results.

That is why people like Murtala Sule Garo will righteously and honestly be an outstanding pairing partner to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf when the time comes as they have similar attributes which is glaringly serving the community to the best of their ability.

By Abba Anwar

Whether Nasir Bala Ja’oji’s name rings bell or not, in Kano’s political arithmetic, his new appointment as the Kano state Director, City Boy Movement, highlights many things. Especially about his direct relationship with the Presidency.

While Malam Salihu Sagir Takai’s – a rare gentleman of national repute-Coordinator position of Renewed Hope Agenda, in Kano, is in charge of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s philosophy, Ja’o’ji’s City Boy Movement is directly linked to the personality of Mr President.

Come to think of it, City Boy is a nickname given to Tinubu during the heydays of 2023 presidential campaign. A term of endearment, referring to his roots in Lagos, a major city in Nigeria. The name also explains his shrewedness as a grassroot politician, who has strong connection to the city. A CITY BOY.

Ja’oji, currently the Senior Special Assistant on Citizenship and Leadership to President Tinubu, is a strategic, logical, calculated, and informed choice to become the Director of this Movement. The pedestal is accurate and not injurious.

While his pedigree as someone who previously served as Special Adviser on Mobilisation to the Kano State Governor, a member of the Governing Council of Coordinated Arewa Youth Groups, advocating for women and youth empowerment, among others, his appointment, still, speaks volumes of his uninterrupted relationship with the Presidency.

For those who don’t understand how powerful, relevant and engaging this position is, to Tinubu’s interest in Kano, against 2027 power struggle, just look at the category of people congratulating the appointee, Ja’oji. All of them know and understand the influencing power and attitude place on the position. As a build up to 2027 political struggle.

Not only Ja’oji’s pedigree, was what gave him an edge over many for this new appointment, the impact of his being, also speaks a lot. Politicians from South, especially South West, have their yardstick, for measuring what position goes to who and under what circumstance? Unlike, our North, in South, one has to sweatly earn respect, position and influence.

I cannot say City Boy Movement is a shadow government. Why? Because the movement goes round all the 36 states and Abuja. BUT, my but is in capital, the way I see it, State Directors, could be given the same or very similar political responsibilities to shoulder, as equal as that of Ministers and other highly placed positions in states and Abuja, when 2027 election proper, comes calling.

Therefore, Ja’o’ji’s appointment, is not only domineering in its breath and length, it is a stamp of trust and acceptance of loyalty, from Mr President directly. Believe it or not, Presidency must have objectively assessed, the impact of this young man, in his state, before reaching this point.

The way I know the strategic disposition of Ja’oji, as Adon Garin Kasar Hausa, a title conferred on him by Daura Emirate, which recognizes his unwavering commitment in advancing the welfare of women, children, youth and vulnerable groups, City Boy Movement, will definitely be a rallying point of genuine support to President Tinubu, months, years to come. How to achieve that, Ja’oji knows better.

As multi – tasking as I know Ja’oji, this position will not render his other official responsibilities redundant. In fact, this could be a driver to propel others to progress. This, I have no doubt. So for Ja’oji, you should know that, all eyes are on you now.

I am sure the confidence repose in him by the society, will not allow him goofed. He will hopefully stand firm and wield more power and influence. While sky is his limit, the good choice of co-travellers is a prerequisite.

I hope there will be monitoring and evaluation mechanism directly from Presidency, to examine the take-off and activities of all the 36 Directors of the Movement, and that of Abuja. This will help to periscope, in clearer terms, commitment, hardwork and patriotism.

Anwar writes from Kano
Saturday, 7th February, 2026

By: Lamara Garba Azare

Bauchi was not born in silence. On the third day of February 1976, it arrived with the quiet dignity of history unfolding, carved out of the old North Eastern State, not merely as a political entity but as a promise. A promise that people mattered. A promise that governance could be closer to the heartbeat of the land. A promise that a place shaped by savannah winds, ancient footsteps, and resilient souls deserved its own name and destiny.

In those earliest days, the founding leaders stood before an unformed canvas. There were no clear roads, only directions. No settled institutions, only intentions. Men like Mohammed Bello Kaliel and the first set of military administrators did not inherit comfort. They inherited responsibility. With discipline and restraint, they laid the skeletal frame of a state yet to find its voice. Ministries were formed, public service took its first breath, and order was introduced where uncertainty once loomed. Their service was not loud, but it was consequential. They held Bauchi together when it was most fragile, and history must remember them not for what was absent, but for what they preserved.

Then came the gentle dawn of civilian rule and with it the reassuring presence of Abubakar Tatari Ali. His leadership spoke directly to the soul of the people. Roads stretched outward as symbols of connection, farms rose as declarations of self belief, industries emerged as statements of confidence, and Bauchi began to imagine itself beyond survival. He governed with faith in possibility and left behind a lesson that development is not only measured in concrete and steel, but in hope restored and dignity affirmed.

The years that followed were long and demanding. Military administrators came and went, each carrying the weight of stewardship in difficult times. Mohammed Sani Sami, Chris Abutu Garuba, Joshua Madaki, Abu Ali, Wing Commander James Yana Kalau, Rasheed Adisa Raji, Theophilus Bamigboye and Abdul Adamu Mshelia each, in their own seasons, kept the machinery of governance alive. These were years of holding the centre, of completing water projects so thirst would not rule, of strengthening hospitals so life could be preserved, of nurturing sports and social cohesion so the human spirit would not be crushed. Bauchi learned patience in those years. It learned that progress does not always arrive with celebration, but often with quiet persistence.

The brief return of democracy in the early nineties under Dahiru Mohammed rekindled hope, only for it to be interrupted again. Yet the idea of civilian choice never died. It waited patiently in the consciousness of the people. And when it returned in 1999, it returned with purpose.

Ahmadu Adamu Muazu’s era marked a turning point that still echoes across the state. Schools multiplied, classrooms filled, enrolment soared, and Bauchi found itself counted among Nigeria’s strongest performers in education. Roads stitched communities together, water flowed where scarcity once reigned, electricity reached villages long forgotten by the grid, and healthcare gained renewed attention. His leadership proved that when people are placed at the centre of policy, development responds naturally. Many families still live inside the outcomes of those years, sometimes without knowing the names of the policies that made them possible.

Isa Yuguda and Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar governed in times shaped by complexity. Economic pressure, national uncertainty, and rising security concerns tested the limits of leadership. Yet governance continued. Roads were maintained, institutions sustained, and the state was kept standing when the ground beneath Nigeria often felt unsteady. Their stewardship reminded the people that leadership is not always about expansion, but about preservation, about ensuring that the house does not collapse while waiting for renovation.

Today, under Bala Mohammed, Bauchi speaks again in the language of renewal. Roads are being rebuilt not just as infrastructure but as arteries of opportunity. Schools are being restored, health facilities revived, urban spaces reimagined, and economic empowerment extended to women and youths who for too long stood at the margins. Investment summits invite the world to see Bauchi differently, not as an afterthought, but as a land of promise. His leadership reflects a belief that governance must listen, that peace must be cultivated, and that development must feel human.

As Bauchi marks fifty years, this is not merely a roll call of leaders. It is a collective tribute. To those who laid foundations when there was little applause. To those who governed in difficult seasons without surrender. To those who expanded opportunity and those who protected stability. To civil servants who kept institutions alive, teachers who shaped minds in overcrowded classrooms, farmers who planted hope in stubborn soil, and communities who believed that this state belonged to them.

As Bauchi steps into the future, it does so with memory in its hands and hope in its eyes. The past has spoken through sacrifice, the present breathes through responsibility, and the future waits for courage. What remains certain is this: Bauchi has never been defined by the ease of its journey, but by the strength of its will. From those who laid the first stones to those who now carry the torch, the story continues not as an echo of yesterday, but as a call to tomorrow. And as long as its people believe in the dignity of service, the power of unity, and the promise of becoming better than before, Bauchi will not merely endure. It will rise, again and again.

Lamara Garba Azare, a veteran journalist, writes from Kano