By Hashim Abdallah
Beside what have been witnessed tangibly on the ground yet, people often ask, aspirants curious to know, most appear too inquisitive.
All about 13×13 is just a glad tiding about a well-meant clique.
Oh you all aspirants, including you “misperceivers” or mischief makers, open your windows, give me short audience. Let’s hear all about the movement, the founders, the motives behind and why the title in such a number of 13.
13×13 is an organisation founded by 13-member from poets/singers and or musicians as well as artistes and even literary artists. When we say artists without ‘e’, we mean creative writers, playwrights, dramatists and other creative writers. It’s thus an organisation intended to liberate the masses from the current dispensation. It’s also meant to assure Nigerian artistes’ contribution are beyond singing or dancing performances. Their contribution surpasses cheap campaigning for politicians. They don’t only campaign for any politician who comes their ways as a good leader, but also campaign against anyone who’s against the national patriotic agenda, hence they come to stay for their support is for the country as opposed to support for an individual politician whose tenure might elapse, whose life span might end one-day also. They’re for good governance. It’s a movement that arrives here for life. That’s why they always maintain, “My Home-Country First” as a refrain of one of their collective songs.
13×13 is a creation of 13-member Hausa poets and artistes from different spheres and/or genres there in northern Nigerian terrain. They render support to the members as well as needy and the poor within the society. They’re for all indeed.
As witnessed many people in the different states’ branches, 13×13 does settle the debts of the prison inmates were remanded or, on awaiting trials due to the unsettled debts they incurred, inmates on minor offences, feeding of the poor during last Ramadan fasting, etc.
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It’s noteworthy that the 13×13 group isn’t politically partisan motivated movement, but it can be where necessary all in search of good leaders. Members, too, may contest where necessary to assure the Nigerian masses that they’re capable in other endeavours of life apart from being entertainers, performers or artists. They can feature and participate in any party they find deserving one, particularly on agreement to serve the people not pocket, all in their intentions to emancipate the Nigerian voters thereby informing them their values as citizens of franchise rights.
In Thirteen-Thirteen, we have a hierarchical leadership structure; A political poetry singer, Dauda Kahutu Rarara is the national president, while another top poet, El’muaz Muhammad Birniwa is the Chairman States’ National Working Committee.
A top Kannywood script writer, Ibrahim Birniwa is the Vice-chairman National Political Committee. Alh. Rabiu Adam Muhammad Gumel, the Head of the Programmes and Deputy General Manager of the international satellite television station, Arewa24, emerges the Chairman of the 13×13 here in the Jigawa State wing of the humanitarian Group.
The 13-member founders hence the title 13×13 viz:
1, Dauda Kahutu Rarara
2, Aminu Ladan Alan Waka
3, El’muaz Birniwa
4, Adam A Zango
5, Ali Jita
6, Umar M Sharif
7, Yakubu Muhammad
8, Daddy Hikima (Abale)
9, Kamilu Koko
10, Baban Cinedu
11, Nura M Inuwa
12, Aisha Humaira
13, Abubakar Bashir Maishadda
There are currently active 13×13 structures in the states as follows:
Kano
Kaduna
Jigawa
Katsina
Gombe
Kebbi
Niger
Birno
Adamawa
Plateau
Sokoto
Zamfara
Nassarawa, etc.
Readers should put this at the back of their miinds that all members in the states comprised the like-minded composition of people as the national.
It isn’t be overemphasised if I reiterate that the movement is mainly humanitarian to support the weak and less privileged and to bring succour to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), feeding the orphans, and empowering its members and the society in general. However, while above have been the mission and vision, the ultimate goal is good leadership that may fix the nation.
Hashim Abdallah is a Secretary of the 13×13 at Jigawa Chapter, also a creative writer/tutor who
writes from Jigawa State. Can be reached via 08038662494, hashimat20@gmail.com
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