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The Blending of Segmented Three Stars in Education—Abubakar Musa Umar

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Abubakar Musa Umar

Kano State is blessed with a wealth of individuals with diverse experiences, skills, and contacts across many spheres of life, including religious, cultural, and educational spaces. The likes of Dr. Sheikh Isyaku Rabiu, Sheikh Nasir Kabara, and Sheikh Jaafar Mahmoud Adam are among the few figures to mention, possessing vast Islamic knowledge appreciated worldwide. Recently, Kano State has been blessed with three educational experts with extensive knowledge of education, from its foundational levels to the peak positions of management and decision-making.

Malam Yusuf Kabir was a civil servant for 35 years, retiring in 2014 as Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics at the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Kano. He started as a classroom teacher and later became an education secretary in different local governments. Since 2015, he has worked with development partners and achieved remarkable success with the Education Sector Support Program in Nigeria (ESSPIN), the Department for International Development (DFID), PLANE-DAI, and many others. He is currently the Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Kano.

In the last seventeen months, Malam Yusuf has brought significant changes to basic education in the state. He initiated the first induction training for newly recruited teachers to prepare them for the job. He transformed both the staff and facilities to enhance services and improve job satisfaction.

Malam Haladu Mohammed, an international development expert, started his career as a classroom teacher and later transitioned to higher education, where he rose to the level of senior lecturer in the Department of Geography at the College of Arts, Science, and Remedial Studies (CAS), Kano. Malam Haladu created several educational programs and projects, working as a Team Lead with DFID, OTL, and, most recently, as Chief of Party at USAID Liberia. He is currently the Technical Advisor on Education Reforms to the Executive Governor of Kano State.

Dr. Yakubu Muhammad Anas, a development expert with more than two decades of track records of accomplishment, was a classroom teacher for years, rising to the rank of Head Teacher before resigning to join development work. He has supported many programs and projects within and outside the country, working with ESSPIN, DFID, KaLMA, and Sesame Square Nigeria. He provides technical support to the Kano State Education Emergency Conference and is currently assisting the Ministry of Education and its agencies in achieving their target goals and objectives.

The three stars worked on the same projects and recorded remarkable success in their respective areas. The stars have now blended again, working with the Kano State Government to revive the education sector.

The recent appointment of Malam Haladu as Technical Advisor to the Executive Governor of Kano, the transformation of basic education under the leadership of Malam Yusuf Kabir, and the technical support provided by Dr. Yakubu Anas to the Ministry of Education and its agencies testify to the government’s commitment to real educational reforms.

Education is currently in the hands of experts whose experience and contributions to the development of education are recognized and appreciated worldwide.

May Almighty Allah (SWT) grant them the wisdom to devise solutions to existing challenges and transform education in Kano State.

Long Live, Kano State

Abubakar Musa Umar is an educationist and a development expert writes this from Kano

Opinion

Open Letter To The Executive Chairman, Economic And Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)

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Dear EFCC Chairman,

Re: Urgent Call for Investigation into the Conduct of EFCC Kaduna Zonal Command

I respectfully write to draw your urgent attention to serious irregularities, unlawful actions, and deliberate misconduct being carried out by officials of the EFCC Kaduna Zonal Directorate, which are tarnishing the integrity and credibility of the Commission.

Sir, the EFCC team in Kaduna, including the Director and several sectional heads, have engaged in actions that not only undermine the Commission’s mandate but also violate the principles of fairness, justice, and due process. I humbly appeal for your direct intervention to investigate the activities of the Kaduna office, as I possess solid evidence of their misconduct.

The EFCC in Kaduna claimed to be investigating an alleged **₦30 billion case** against me, *Dr. Bashir Ibrahim Bello*, my company *Formal Act Legacy Ltd.*, and our donors, *United Charity Foundation (UCF-FICOD)*. However, rather than conducting a transparent investigation, the Kaduna Directorate created **unsubstantiated and unnecessary charges**, including:

* A **₦10 million charge** involving a company that legitimately supplied *four Hilux vehicles* and completed *four solar-powered boreholes* for four communities—fully executed and paid for since early 2023.
* Charges relating to official vehicles sponsored by **Wema Bank**, for which Formal Act Legacy has been servicing the loan for over two years.
* Additional **₦54 million and ₦37 million charges** that are completely mischievous, baseless, and unrelated to the real issues.

Sir, these false charges are a distraction. The real issue is simple:
**Contractors have executed projects and supplied drugs, hospital beds, and equipment for free medical outreaches across communities—yet many of them have not been paid.**

Instead of focusing on why these contractors remain unpaid, EFCC Kaduna is fixated on fabricating charges over a donor-funded project designed to benefit all **774 Local Government Areas** in Nigeria in line with Mr. President’s development agenda.

I respectfully ask: **Will you, as Chairman, fold your arms and allow this injustice to continue—knowing fully well that Mr. President entrusted you with this sensitive national assignment because of your integrity, competence, and loyalty?** I believe the answer is no.

Sir, I am a committed member of the APC, and I know the level of trust Mr. President has placed in your leadership. I therefore appeal that you look into this matter objectively and grant all parties fair hearing and justice.

CC:
– Chairman, Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption
– National Security Adviser
– National Human Rights Commission
– Others as appropriate

Thank you for your attention.

Signed:

Dr. Bashir Ibrahim Bello
MD/CEO, Formal Act Legacy Ltd and
African Sub-Regional Coordinator, United Charity Foundation (UCF-FICOD)

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Opinion

How Political Persecution Pushes DSP Barau, Doguwa Ahead of Others – Study

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By Abba Anwar

Today’s piece looks into some parts of the finding of a study recently conducted by a teamwork of experts, who specialize in the study of political risk framework and development, over some key political personalities from Northern Nigeria. The study was conducted on state by state basis.

The one that is readily available now, is that of Kano state and other few states. In the report, the Deputy Senate President, Distinguished Senator Barau I Jibrin, CFR, is seen as one of the leading political figures from North, one of the pillars, who suffers too much political persecution from within his party and from without.

Be that as it may, the years long orchestrated ploys, designed framework for political fall down and display of open hatred to the identified individuals included in the study, differ from an individual politician to another across the states.

“What is more fascinating about our findings, is the fact that, all those targeted for disruptive political life, across our states of study, Northern Nigeria, are waxing stronger day in day out. In real term, some of their detractors have started diminishing down the ladder,” the study reveals.

The study further reminded that, “The political challenges of the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin started since during his membership of House of Representatives, from 1999 to 2003, from Tarauni federal constituency. Under the banner of People’s Democratic Party (PDP).”

Referring to the time when Right Honourable Ghali Umar Na’Abba, was the Speaker House of Representatives. While Barau was the Chairman House Committee on Appropriation.

Looking back to history, the report reminded all that, Barau was confronted with internal political blackmail, harassment and intimidation from PDP circle. Then, he was one of the closest, members to Speaker Na’Abba. When the then President Olusegun Obasanjo fought Na’Abba’s re-election in subsequent election, through the state governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, Barau also falled victim as Na’Abba.

As returning match, during the same election, Na’Abba, Barau and other strong minds, put heads together and pushed Kwankwaso aside in 2003 general elections. Then the debut of Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, under All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) platform.

While acknowledging that, throughout the political history of Kano, in recent political development, it was only Senator Barau who, switched from one Senatorial District to another entirely different District, vied for an elective position, which was higher, than the one he left, and emerged victorious.

Do you remember that? After the return of democracy in 1999, Barau contested for the House of Representatives in Tarauni federal constituency, which was under Kano Central Senatorial District, from 1999 to 2003. As a result of distortions, persecution and manipulations he suffered from his party men, he joined his ancestral space, Kano North, where he contested for a Senatorial seat and got it.

His political relocation to Kabo local government, of Kano North, created another corridor for his elevation to higher position of a Senator of the Federal Republic and now Deputy Senate President in the 10th Assembly.

The authors of this study, know clearly how and where Barau started from, the faces and manifestations of persecutions he suffered, unwanted display of bitterness by his long standing detractors and largely internal hatred, which all culminated into his elevated position. With the socio-historical and political background of the DSP, as understood by the study, he could be called the last man standing, in that arrangement, since the return of democracy after prolonged military rule.

“Distinguished Senator Barau I Jibrin is also the first Deputy Senate President from Kano state. This also places him above many of his contemporaries. We are also aware of how he has been getting his tickets for the seat he is occupying now, in previous and last elections. We all believe that it is Almighty Allah Who Guides his path,” according to the study.

Many qualities of the DSP’s political life and positions, are soundly acknowledged in the study, that I cannot discuss them here. But people will get to know more when the result of the study is released.

Senator Barau’s interventions across the spectrum are well acknowledged and appreciated by the study. Ranging from his constituency projects, genuine and meaningful empowerment and other interventions since when he was a Member of House of Representatives from Tarauni federal constituency, up to the feats he achieved as a Senator.

They include his scholarship programmes, in local and foreign universities. Commending the choice of courses of study and schools selected. Like in the Nigerian universities, students were sent to study degree programmes in some of our premier universities, like Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Bayero University, Kano, University of Lagos, alongside other universities.

While a lot is said on the DSP, the study believes that, he won’t panic, no matter how deeper machinations he could face, as build ups to 2027. Assuring that, “… after our research we have come to realize that, Distinguished Senator Barau is not an ordinary politician. While his political fortunes are waxing stronger, his influence, is covering larger geo-political spaces.”

In the case of Honorable Alassan Ado Doguwa, member representing Tudunwada/Doguwa federal constituency, in Kano South the study enlists him as second to Senator Barau in the face of stiffer political persecution and repression. Yet, he, like Barau, is waxing stronger, day in day out and year in year out.

With all the stiffer and enhanced political persecution, within and outside his political base, Doguwa was the ONLY House of Representatives contestant who won his election in 2023, under the banner of All Progressives Congress (APC), then. Yes he was faced with so many challenges and opposition, without any good backing and support from his APC base, then, yet with Allah by his side, he emerged victorious!

This study appreciates Doguwa’s political maturity and strength in slugging it out almost alone, for his image, his constituency and his party, at large. Signaling that, “Honourable Alassan Ado Doguwa, is another Barau in disguise. Many at times he is left with weak support from his party, at the state level, yet his influence, followership and strength are inching forward. At a speed that only Divine view can explain.”

Anwar writes from Kano
Saturday, 15th November, 2023

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Opinion

Tribute to Late Major General Abdullahi Mohammed Adangba-Dembo

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By AbdurRaheem Sa’ad Dembo anipr

Death is an inevitable transaction as no one has immunity against its mode of operation, and it stings like rampaging bees.

On 5th November,2025 Major General Abdullahi Mohammed Adangba(rtd) succumbed to the cold hand of death.Innalillahi waina Ilaihi rajiun.I would have prepared this tribute a day after his demise but I have been in transit from one place to another since I’m currently on my annual leave.Be that as it may, better late than never.

The former Chief of staff to President Obasanjo and Yar’adua was a gallant officer with an impeccable character.He was also an intelligent officer,who served as a former Governor in the old Benue-Plateau State between 1975 -1976 and Founder of National Security Organisation now Department of State Service from 1976 to 1979

Last week when I was in Abuja and I paid a visit to my mentor in the PR profession and the publisher of PRNigeria, Yushau Shuaib,he described the late Major General Abdullahi Mohammed as one of the most intelligent Army officers in the history of Nigerian Army.He also said the country would miss him as his advice in the area of counter insurgency would have helped a great deal

Adangba,as we usually referred to him,as a Chief of Staff to Obasanjo touched many lives positively in Ilorin and beyond.This is not hearsay but what I knew,saw and heard.He facilitated many employment opportunities for Ilorin indigenes across military ,paramilitary agencies and MDAs.A very meticulous Army officer who did not believe in the so called public endorsement when he offered help.

Through his magnanimous employment opportunities,a friend of mine,a friend of my friend,a friend of my nephew and so on benefitted from him.He was a man who would be running around for you without your consent just for you to be great and be of help to others.He was a builder of men

Significantly, some of those he had assisted are also in position, where they are currently offering help to others

I owe him this piece not because I have benefitted directly from his selflessness but humanity emphasises on paying good with good.If I had not benefitted from him at least hundreds of Ilorin indigenes did and invariably I have benefitted too.He was a builder of men

In a statement by Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu Described General Mohammed as a disciplined,loyal, and patriotic officer whose remarkable service to the nation spanned decades of distinguished contributions to Nigeria’s stability and governance.

Talking about Late General Abdullahi Mohammed’s integrity and commitment to service of the country would be inexhaustible as many eminent Nigerians include Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, Former President Obasanjo,Gov Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Former Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Senator Saliu Mustapha and others have paid tributes to the late astute General.

May Allah in His infinite mercies forgive his shortcomings and grant him aljannah Firdaus, and give his family, Ilorin Emirate and Nigeria the fortitude to bear the loss

abdurraheemsaaddembo@gmail.com

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