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I Still Don’t Regret Working Under Ganduje-Anwar

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Abba Anwar Ganduje's former Chief press secretary

 

This piece of information is just a tip of an iceberg, regarding my work as Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the former Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje CON. More and more issues will be unfolded in my Memoir, in due course.

Principally, I want reveal to all, interested parties, onlookers, pretenders and undecided elements, that I HAVE NO REGRET FOR SERVING UNDER GANDUJE ADMINISTRATION. I served directly under him, as his Spokesperson, CPS, from February 2018 to May 2023. Six consecutive years, without any break, by whatever circumstance.

While I gained a lot in his wealth of experience, as the Chief Security Officer of our dear state, Kano, I was extremely happy to serve my state in that capacity. To God be the glory, I came to know what media engagement means to politics. And vice versa.

I can always be happy to be identified with his effort in securing Kano state, from its breadth and length. I, for many times, referred that onerous effort as Ganduje Model of Security System. His inclusion of all and sundry, when it came to collective responsibility in our security architecture, was incomparable, with most of the state governments, then. Not to talk of now, when security becomes gold.

Ganduje’s human relations, as simple as he appears, gave me more chances to work with open heart and learn, from the close nexus relationship between power, institutions and bureaucracy. I learned a lot in this area. I came to fully understand how media managers, work as a team.

During my sojourn as Governor’s Spokesperson, under Ganduje administration, to date, I learned how media managers behave after their official engagement with their principals, in life after government. The best example of us all, is Prof Sule Ya’u Sule. Who was Director Press in Military Administration and civilian administration of Malam Ibrahim Shekarau. But there are factors responsible for that. I learned a lot from him, when I was CPS. So also from Comrade Baba Halilu Dantiye (mni).

I walked to them and gained from their vast knowledge and experience. Simply because I didn’t see myself as a politician, belonging to the ruling party. I regarded myself and behaved as a professional. Who wanted to protect my professional calling. And the good image of my primary constituency, the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

As a result of my work as Chief Press Secretary to the former Governor, Ganduje, I became conversant with politics in media engagement. I do not mean political communication. But how media managers, who suppose to take lead, dwarf the good face of the profession with an ugly face.

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To the extent that, the unprofessional conduct of the managers affect their output. It will disturb your thought significantly, to see that, one of the simplest responsibilities of such managers, as in designing press releases, are poorly written and utterly arranged.

Let me urge my readers to take samples of divergent press releases issued by different media managers of different Kano state administrations, compare them with that of Police or Presidency or any organized non-media organization and see the display of uncoordinated experience.

It was because of my work as CPS, that I came to understand that, many at times, governance is ditched by undeserved media managers. Who sometimes, appear to be “sincere”, “committed”, “enduring”, and “friendly.” While on the flipside, they care only for their personal gains, tailored and awkward sensitivity. Ignorance at its “best” form.

During my work as CPS, my principal, Ganduje, him alone, gave me chance to use my professional knowledge and work uninterrupted. That was why, I worked more as a professional than a unionist or half – professional – half- politician. That time, all directives came from him directly. Not from any Cabinet member or highly placed office holders or family circle. And I stood by that throughout my six years with him.

I still don’t regret being identified with all the infrastructural development during his tenure, that I witnessed as his spokesman. Flyovers flying all over. General hospitals across the then newly established 4 additional Emirates. State-of-the-art Cancer Centre, in Giginyu. Completion of Muhammadu Buhari General Hospital, Giginyu and Khalifa Isyaka Rabi’u Paediatric Hospital, Zoo road, etc etc.

Establishment of four additional Emirates are one of the major interventions I love most in his administration. That, to me, was meant for transformation of our traditional institutions. I saw it as such and will continue with the thought.

Thinking that, Abba Anwar will reverse those efforts, is not only misleading, but, deceit, sheer display of ignorance and uninterrupted sadism. Yes, sadism, as always projected and promoted at the expense of professionalism and genuine engagement.

As I’m still not regretting my participation in Ganduje’s administration, as his Chief Press Secretary, I still believe, as I believe for all other administrations, that none is infallible. From the very time Kano was created, as a state, all governments, either military or civilian, up to the present day administration of Abba Kabir Yusuf, are not and cannot be flawless. This is my conviction. So it is left for ditchers and sadists around to understand otherwise.

With these few points, I challenge anyone, who thinks he or she understands, governance, image making, media engagement and commitment to leadership, to show me a single paragraph or sentence, where I glaringly and in black and white, as a Chief Press Secretary then, condemned any previous administrations in my press releases. Or after my CPS years, when I condemned, in black and white, not only Ganduje administration, that I served, but Kwankwaso or Shekarau administrations. Yes I mean a single paragraph or sentence. Same thing applies to Abba Gida Gida’s administration. Eagerly waiting!

I was not trained to be so. From my upbringing to my school days. I was trained to be a professional journalist, not a unionist. And all my professional years proved to that. My work under Ganduje administration, as CPS, speaks volumes.

My Memoir will unveil stark realities, undisputed circumstances and typical examples with relevant characters.

Signed
Abba Anwar
Kano State, Nigeria
Tuesday, 23rd September, 2025

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Mahanga TV appoints former AREWA24 staff Zuwairiyah Girei as MD

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Mahanga TV, a Kano-based television station, has appointed former AREWA24 staff member Zuwairiyah Adamu Girei as its new Managing Director, bringing her more than 14 years of experience in Hausa-language television production and broadcasting to the organisation.

Girei was formally welcomed into her new role during a reception held at Mahanga TV’s premises in Kano on Monday, November 2, 2026, marking a new phase in the organisation’s growthe barely three months after its launch.

Speaking at the reception, Girei expressed excitement over her appointment, describing her experience at AREWA24 as a significant milestone in her professional journey.

She said she would draw on the knowledge and experience acquired during her time at the television station to strengthen Mahanga TV and drive it towards greater achievements.

“All the experience I have at AREWA24, I will bring here, and I think I will do extraordinary because I know what I have learnt there. I pray that we will see success beyond our expectations,” she said.

Outlining her vision for Mahanga TV, the new Managing Director said the organisation would look beyond Northern Nigeria and target audiences across Africa and the rest of the world.

She identified the large Hausa-speaking population as a major opportunity for the industry, noting that despite the challenges facing Hausa-language broadcasting, the sector has a substantial audience.

“We have over 60 million Hausa speakers in Nigeria, so I think we have a target audience we have to try to reach,” she said.

Girei said her leadership would focus on understanding audience expectations, introducing improvements and positioning Hausa productions for international recognition.

“Our thinking is pan-African; our thinking is the world. Our thinking is now how can Hausa film reach the Oscars. That is the thinking,” she said.

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Looking ahead to the next decade, she expressed her ambition to see Mahanga TV secure three to four Academy Awards, earn international recognition and become a household name among viewers across different age groups.

She said she envisioned a future where Mahanga TV would be the preferred television platform in homes, with both adults and children identifying with its programmes.

The Chief Executive Officer of Mahanga TV, Nuhu Abdullahi Balarabe, said Girei’s appointment was informed by the organisation’s rapid growth and the need for experienced leadership to sustain its progress.

Balarabe explained that he initially served as both Managing Director and CEO but decided to appoint a dedicated Managing Director to oversee the organisation’s daily operations and provide the leadership required to sustain its expanding activities.

He said the organisation needed someone who could provide consistent leadership and maintain its momentum as it continued to grow.

“She is well experienced, and I’m sure she will use that experience to take the organisation further from where it is,” he said.

Balarabe disclosed that Mahanga TV had recorded progress beyond its initial expectations within three months of launching, attributing the achievement to the dedication of its staff, consultants and advisers.

He said the organisation was expanding its content offerings through original productions and partnerships with independent producers to provide audiences with engaging programmes.

He also urged viewers to continue supporting the station and sharing feedback through its social media platforms and WhatsApp channel, assuring them that the organisation remained open to suggestions as it worked to improve its services.

Reaffirming the organisation’s broader ambition, Balarabe said Mahanga TV was committed to ensuring that Hausa stories, culture and experiences reached audiences across the world.

“We have a beautiful tale happening in Northern Nigeria, and I believe it is only we that can tell our own story. We want to make sure all our stories are told and they reach every part of the world,” he said.

Also speaking, Mahanga TV’s Creative Director and Brand Manager, Abdulbasit Abanikanda, described Girei’s appointment as a timely development that would strengthen the organisation’s management structure and provide better direction for its expanding workforce.

Abanikanda recalled that Mahanga TV started with a team of just three people but had since grown considerably, making the appointment of an experienced manager necessary to coordinate its activities.

He expressed confidence in Girei’s ability to advance the station’s creative vision, noting that her ambition of taking Hausa stories to audiences across the world aligned with the organisation’s objectives.

With Girei’s appointment, Mahanga TV aims to consolidate its early progress, strengthen its content production and expand the reach of Hausa storytelling, creating opportunities for Northern Nigeria’s stories, culture and creative talent to gain wider national and international recognition.

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Kano Governor Nominates Ex- Speaker, Spokesperson as Commissioners

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Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has nominated his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, and a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Balarabe Sa’idu Gani, for appointment as commissioners.

The governor has forwarded their names to the Kano State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.

The Assembly is expected to screen the nominees on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

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In a statement issued on Monday, the Assembly’s spokesperson, Kamaluddeen Sani Shawai, said the legislature had received a formal communication from Governor Yusuf requesting the screening of the two nominees.

He added that the exercise would be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Gani served as Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly from 2003 to 2007, while Bature currently serves as the governor’s spokesperson.

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2027: Rep Abubakar Kabir Bichi holds strategic meeting with Kano lawmakers

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The Chairman, House of representatives committee on appropriations Hon. Abubakar Kabir Bichi, has convened a meeting of all APC State Assembly Members and 40 Candidates in the upcoming 2027 General elections, led by the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Jibril Ismail Falgore.

Crucial issues were discussed on how best to coordinate their campaigns programs to deliver the APC, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.

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The meeting was held at his Bichi office, Sunday evening 1st November 2026.

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