Opinion
NNPP Kwankwasiyya and APC Gandujiyya: The Dividing Lines Among Kano Journalists
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Opinion
Dear Governor Abba Kabir, beware of Waiya
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By Ismail Auwal
Greetings from a heart that beats for Kano’s progress. I begin with gratitude and congratulations. Since you took office, your efforts to restore hope through grassroots projects and a commitment to correct past wrongs have ignited pride in all of us. We see the roads taking shape, schools rising, and the promise of a better Kano unfolding. For this, we thank you, sir, for leading our state toward a long-awaited dawn.
But let me take you back, Your Excellency, to a tale of loyalty forged in the fires of struggle. Picture 2019: the streets of Kano buzzing with hope, ballot boxes heavy with our dreams, and civil society organizations (CSOs)—those tireless watchdogs of justice—standing shoulder-to-shoulder with you. When the election dust settled and the courts became battlegrounds in the just concluded election, they didn’t waver.
Through 2023, as legal storms raged, they marched alongside you, their voices loud, their resolve unshaken. They were your constituency of conscience, a coalition of citizens who believed in your vision. I know, deep down, you cherish this bond—a sacred thread tying you to the soul of Kano’s people. It’s a constituency no leader would let slip through their fingers.
Yet, a shadow looms, threatening to unravel this trust. Your Excellency, a rift has opened, and it’s one you cannot ignore. The civil societies, your steadfast allies, are now locked in a bitter feud with your Honourable Commissioner of Information, Ambassador Ibrahim Waiya.
It’s not just whispers in the wind—this clash has spilled into the courts, a legal tangle that pits Kano CSOs against one of your own. I’ve watched this unfold with a heavy heart, like a family quarrel spiraling out of control, each side digging in deeper, the wounds festering.
Let me be clear: if your intent is to have an overseer, someone to bridge the gap between your administration and these vocal groups, I understand the instinct. Governance thrives on harmony, and oversight can sharpen focus. But, sir, Ibrahim Waiya is not the man for this task. There are others in your circle—steady hands with proven mettle—who could mend this divide without lighting new fires. Take Barrister Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, the Executive Chairman of the State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission. His dogged pursuit of justice and his knack for navigating thorny issues make him a natural fit. Or consider Comrade Nura Iro Ma’aji, your Commissioner of Public Procurement, whose quiet competence and results-driven approach could steady this ship. These are men who command respect without courting chaos.
Even though the group argues that the committee is unconstitutional, I find myself drawn to a different concern—one rooted in human nature. Imagine a referee stepping onto the pitch, not to ensure fair play, but to settle old scores. That is exactly what Waiya’s presence in this committee feels like. His history with certain groups casts a long shadow over its credibility, turning what should be a platform for oversight into a battlefield for personal grudges. And even if, by some stretch, that is not his intent, the perception alone is damaging enough. A neutral figure—one without baggage, without past feuds—would not only do a better job but would also restore trust in the process.
Now, let me speak plainly about Waiya. I have nothing personal against him—none at all. This isn’t a vendetta; it’s a plea to save him from himself. He’s wading into a storm he may not weather, a clash that could tarnish his name and, by extension, yours. Picture this: a man stepping into quicksand, too proud to see the danger, while those around him shout warnings he won’t hear. That’s Waiya right now, Your Excellency. I’m throwing him a lifeline, not a stone.
Instead of this distraction, why not let him join forces with Sanusi Bature, your Director-General of Media? Sanusi’s been a rock—steady, focused, lifting your image with every move he makes. I’ve seen him weave your achievements into stories that resonate, from the markets of Rimi to the villages of Dawakin Tofa. He doesn’t stumble into quarrels; he builds bridges. Waiya could learn from that, channeling his energy into amplifying your legacy rather than wrestling with allies you can’t afford to lose.
Your Excellency, this is more than a squabble—it’s a crack in the foundation of your support. The civil societies aren’t just a noisy crowd; we’re the pulse of Kano’s conscience, the ones who’ll stand by you when the winds howl fiercest. Don’t let this rift widen. Pull Waiya back from the brink, task someone else with the bridge-building, and let us keep marching together toward the Kano you’ve promised. The story of your tenure is still being written—make it one of unity, not division.
With utmost respect and hope,
A Concerned Voice from Kano
Ismail Auwal writes from Kano and can be reached via Ismaaga6@gmail.com
Opinion
How To Stop USAID and Other Foreign Agencies From Clandestinely Funding Terror and Destabilisation in Nigeria
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With the recent revelations about the Obama and Biden administrations funding Boko Haram through USAID, if Nigeria really wants to defend her territorial integrity and ensure her internal security, the National Assembly must without delay pass a law that all Non-Governmental Organisations in Nigeria that receive funding from foreign governments, agencies and individuals must declare such monies.
If they do not declare such funds, their registrations should be reversed and their licenses revoked. Any such funds traced to them will be forfeited to the Federal Government.
If we do not do this, Nigeria will continue to be vulnerable to external forces who use money to induce unpatriotic citizens to wreak social havoc and undermine our government through activities that weaken the moral fabric of our society, unnaturally change our culture, and create divisions and mutual suspicions amongst the various ethnic nationalities that make up Nigeria.
#EndSARS was funded from abroad. Look at the damage it did to Nigeria. According to the private ratings firm, Financial Derivatives Company, the infrastructural damage to Lagos State alone was ₦1.5 trillion.
The Lagos State Government built the best forensic laboratory in Africa, and that facility was burnt to the ground after Nnamdi Kanu’s broadcast to his supporters where he instructed them to “burn Lagos to the ground”.
That forensic investment, along with other multibillion Naira public infrastructure, including eighty BRT buses and several courthouses and police stations, was razed during the #EndSARS protests. That was why MohBad’s autopsy had to be done in America rather than Nigeria.
And then last year’s Days of Rage protest inflicted damage worth ₦200 billion on Northern Nigeria, and almost destabilised Nigeria to the point where Russian flags were being paraded to instigate a Burkina Faso/Mali/Niger type regime change in Nigeria.
Many foreign intelligence services are using religious cults and NGOs to further their devices in Nigeria, and we must lift the veil on them by making the funding of these groups transparent.
We saw the nationwide damage done in Kenya during last year’s protests, which, according to President William Ruto, were funded by the Ford Foundation, based in the U.S.
If we do not learn from Congressman Scott Perry’s revelations on USAID’s funding of Boko Haram, we may end up being the next Kenya. Or even worse, the next Somalia!
If the National Assembly does not act or is dragging its feet on this matter, President Bola Tinubu may want to borrow a leaf from President Trump, the action man, and use executive orders to achieve this in the short to medium term.
Let it be known that in the United States, Russia, and China, you cannot receive foreign donor funds as an NGO without first registering with the government for that purpose. Therefore, those nations and others ought not to do in Nigeria what they will not tolerate in their homeland.
The national mood is right and ripe for such an intervention. Nigerians would be united behind the President if he took such action. But if it is not taken now, our people are notorious for their short memories. We will move on to the next beef between Wizkid and his lesser-status Afrobeats wannabe rivals, who have repeatedly suffered frustration in their quest to be Grammy-rated like the 001 of music in Africa.
Reno Omokri
Opinion
How Barau Empowers Humanity:A Deserving Soliloquy
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By Abba Anwar
Not until now, when the Deputy Senate President, Distinguished Senator Barau I Jibrin, CFR, distributed 61 vehicles and 1,137 motorcycles, to party leaders and elders across all the 44 local governments of Kano State, alongside former Councilors and Local Governments Secretaries, he takes it upon himself, that, so long as he remains in the public domain people will continue to be enjoying goodies. No matter what.
His political journey is full of paying attention to human existence, humane approach to issues at hand and issues in mind, his strong understanding of existing political practice and special interest in uplifting people, especially the downtrodden elements.
Evidence of this was his previous intervention in the establishment of Federal Polytechnic, Kabo, in his Kano North Senatorial Zone, his role in upgrading the status of Federal College of Education, Kano, to Federal University of Education, Kano and his unwavering conception and effort in bringing National Open University of Nigeria’s Campus in his constituency.
Others, but not limited to, is his recent effort in sending 70 students for Postgraduate programmes in Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Robotic Science, abroad. So also his sponsorship of 300 students to study in Nigerian Universities for 2025/2026 academic session. All these academic programmes are executed under Barau I. Jibrin Foundation.
Under this 2025/2026 study in domestic Universities, selection of the institutions in itself is something of greater substance. Under this we have Bayero University, Kano, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, University of Ibadan, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, among other prestigious universities of repute.
All the fields of study chosen for these prospective candidates are science and technology based programmes. That was what necessitated me to call this special intervention as Barau Community of Modern Scholars.
To also tell my reader how challenging matching Senator Barau’s development posture is, within the circle of other people’s representatives in different offices across the country, he singlehandedly conceived the idea of pushing for the creation of North West Development Commission, which has recently been inaugurated.
A Commission that will be like another government, within the space of a government. While it will optimize federal government presence in the region, the Commission will consolidate democratic benefits for the region and its habitat.
Not only that and beyond local politics, while from the scratch, the Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin was elected to represent his constituency, Kano North, his engagements in the Red Chamber, before now and recently, indicate the heavy load on his shoulder from West African sub – region down to his constituency.
Even understanding the interwoven relationship between his constituency and geo-political spaces, is in itself commendable and brilliance at play. It is indeed clear to all that, – or at least as a Muslim I know that- perfection and infallibility are only found in the Holy Prophets and Messengers of the Almighty Creator,The Most High.
With clear understanding of distasteful polity and politics simmering around the entire West African sub – region, with a lingering hunger crisis, which destabilizes economy, political practice and peaceful coexistence, Barau I. Jibrin Foundation (BIJF), conceived, midwifed and gave birth to Barau Initiative for Agricultural Revolution in the North West, his geo-political zone on Nigeria’s scale.
Just few days back, in order for him to immediately kickstart the agricultural project, he received in his office, the Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture, Alwan Ali Hassan, with the top management staff of the Bank. Where all plans were perfected for proper execution of the people – oriented programme.
When hunger strikes, political stability, peace and tranquility remain in limbo. So going beyond promotion of unity, tolerance and togetherness, Barau believes agricultural intervention has a big role to play in addressing political challenges and economic inequality.
As Barau believes in the development of his primary constituency, he finds it extremely necessary to empower his people from many fronts. As a unifying political force in his own right, he makes things happen in a way that his constituency truly appreciates his forward thinking posture. Depicting the character of all-embracing political leader.
Is just like what happened today, Sunday, 23rd February, when he distributed vehicles and motorcycles, as mentioned above. During the occasion he made it categorically clear to all that, “We will be doing this up to the end of this year. We are only starting with party leaders and elders now.”
That does not mean, he has only party leaders at heart. All his interventions in the education sector, have never been for the benefit of his party, APC, alone. It is an effort purposely for the entire population across Kano North, Kano State, North West and the country in general.
Going upward, to global space, being the Deputy Speaker of Economic Community for West African States’ (ECOWAS) Parliament, his attention and indelible presence are not only needed within the geography of his constituency alone. His attention and its chemistry look beyond his Kano North Senatorial District, he is needed at much higher sub-regional geopolitical space, West Africa, to be precise.
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
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