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When Kano Chose Peace: A Lesson in the Spirit of the Kano First Agenda

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2 months ago

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Kano Map

 

 

By Nworisa Michael | Coordinator, Inter-tribe Community Support Forum

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There are moments in the life of a community that arrive without announcement and depart without ceremony, but whose significance, properly understood, reveals more about the character of a society than any formal declaration or policy document ever could. These are the moments of quiet testing, when the distance between a society’s stated values and its actual reflexes is measured not in speeches or manifestos, but in the ordinary decisions of ordinary people confronted with fear, uncertainty, and the ancient human temptation to react before they think. Kano State experienced one such moment recently, and what it chose in that moment deserves more than the brief attention it has so far received. It deserves reflection, because it contains within it a lesson about what the Kano First Agenda actually means when it moves from the realm of policy language into the lived reality of a city under pressure.
The episode began, as so many contemporary crises do, with a video. Disturbing in its content and rapid in its spread across social media platforms, the footage stirred genuine anxiety within parts of Kano’s diverse and densely connected community. In a city as historically layered and socially complex as Kano, a meeting point of cultures, faiths, ethnicities, and economic interests that has sustained its coherence across centuries through a combination of institutional wisdom and civic restraint, such moments carry a particular weight. The same social architecture that makes Kano’s diversity its greatest strength also makes it vulnerable, under conditions of rumor and fear, to the kind of communal misreading that can transform isolated incidents into collective confrontations. Anyone who knows Kano’s history understands that the distance between anxiety and escalation can, in the wrong circumstances, be disturbingly short.
That escalation did not happen. And the reasons it did not happen are worth examining carefully, because they speak directly to the question of whether the values embedded in the Kano First philosophy are merely aspirational language or whether they have begun to take genuine root in the state’s institutional culture and civic consciousness.
The first line of response was institutional, and it was swift. The Kano State Police Command moved with a speed and decisiveness that communicated, without ambiguity, that the matter was being taken seriously and that the state’s security architecture was functioning as it should. The confirmation that the individual responsible for the video had been identified and arrested removed the dangerous vacuum of uncertainty that rumors require in order to grow into something more destructive. The visible presence of security personnel in the affected community provided the physical reassurance that anxious residents needed. Officers including CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, and the team from the State Intelligence Department led by ACP Abdul Umar, demonstrated the kind of professional responsiveness that builds public confidence in institutions, the kind of confidence that is, in the framework of the Kano First Initiative, not a luxury but a governance necessity.
But the architects of the Kano First philosophy have always understood something that purely security-focused governance tends to overlook: that institutional competence, however impressive, is not sufficient to calm communities whose fears are not merely physical but emotional and psychological. People do not only need to know that a situation is being managed. They need to hear that assurance from voices they have learned, over time, to trust. That deeper reassurance came through the respected leadership of Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil, Chairman of the Council of Ulama, whose message, even when conveyed through his aide, carried the moral authority that formal institutional communication alone cannot always provide. The intervention of religious leadership in this moment was not a substitute for institutional action. It was its necessary complement, a reminder that the governance of complex, faith-rooted societies requires the active partnership of moral authority alongside the exercise of political and security power.
Running through both dimensions of this response, the institutional and the moral, was the consistent and purposeful communication of the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, whose role as the strategic voice of the Kano First Agenda has never been more clearly demonstrated than in moments precisely like this one. Waiya’s communication philosophy, shaped by years of civic activism and deepened by his stewardship of the state’s information architecture, rests on a conviction that is simple in its articulation but demanding in its practice: that the first responsibility of government communication in times of uncertainty is not to manage optics but to protect civic harmony, not to project an image of control but to actually help citizens navigate fear with accurate information, calm authority, and a consistent reminder of the values that hold a diverse community together. In this episode, that philosophy was visibly at work.
What this moment ultimately revealed, however, goes beyond the performance of any particular institution or individual. Its deepest lesson is about the people of Kano themselves. The decision not to escalate, the instinct to reach out to authorities rather than to act on rumor, the collective preference for engagement over confrontation, these were not the choices of a passive population waiting for government to solve its problems. They were the active choices of a community that has internalized, at some level, the understanding that peace is not a gift that governments bestow upon citizens. It is a responsibility that citizens exercise on behalf of one another, every time they choose restraint over reaction, verification over rumor, and dialogue over division.
This is precisely the civic consciousness that the Kano First Initiative was designed to cultivate. The framework’s emphasis on communal responsibility, on the role of citizens as active stakeholders in the state’s stability and development rather than passive recipients of government services, found its clearest expression not in any policy document or communication campaign but in the quiet, dignified choices of Kano’s residents in a moment when different choices were entirely available to them. In that sense, what happened in Kano recently was not merely an incident successfully managed. It was the Kano First philosophy made visible, a demonstration that the values the initiative champions are not foreign impositions or political aspirations but genuine reflections of something already present in the character of this city and its people.
Under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, whose administration has consistently placed the peace, unity, and stability of Kano at the center of its governance philosophy, the expectation is not that crises will never arise. The expectation is that when they do, Kano’s institutions, leaders, and citizens will respond in ways that reflect the state’s highest values rather than its lowest fears. Recent events suggest that this expectation is not merely rhetorical. It is, slowly but meaningfully, becoming real.
There is, nonetheless, a caution that honest reflection requires. A single well-managed incident does not constitute a transformation. The civic maturity that Kano demonstrated in this episode needs to be nurtured, reinforced, and institutionally supported if it is to become a reliable feature of the state’s social fabric rather than an admirable exception. The media has a critical role to play in this process, by reporting responsibly, amplifying examples of civic wisdom, and refusing to become a vehicle for the kind of sensationalism that turns anxiety into panic. Civil society organizations, community leaders, traditional institutions, and professional associations must continue to invest in the relationships and communication channels that enable rapid, trusted responses to emerging tensions. And government must continue to demonstrate, through consistent action, that its commitment to Kano First is not contingent on political convenience.
Kano has always been more than a city. It is a civilization with a memory, a people with a tradition of navigating complexity with wisdom, and a community whose greatest strength has never been its uniformity but its remarkable, historically tested capacity for coexistence. When the next moment of testing arrives, and in a society as dynamic and diverse as Kano, it will, the question will be the same one that was asked and answered recently: will Kano choose peace? If the spirit of the Kano First Agenda continues to take root in the institutions and the hearts of its people, the answer, this writer believes, will continue to be yes.

Nworisa Michael is the Coordinator of the Inter-tribe Community Support Forum.
Contact: nworisamichael1917@gmail.com

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Opinion

Kano North Must Not Get lt Wrong : Why Returning Senator Barau Jibrin CFR is a Strategic Imperative

Published

7 hours ago

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May 1, 2026

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By Muazu A. Ishaq

In moments of electoral decision, societies are often confronted with a choice that goes beyond sentiments and party affiliation to the deeper question of consolidation and continuity versus disruption, a moment when the electorate must pause, look beyond the noise of detractors and ask a fundamental question; can we afford to make this costly mistake? For the good people of Kano North Senatorial District that moment is now, the coming 2027 electoral cycle presents such a moment one that demands careful reflection, not sentiment. The stakes are not about party loyalty or sentimental rhetoric, it is about avoiding a mistake whose consequences could reverberate for years.

The Deputy President of the Senate, Barau I. Jibrin PhD CFR, has, over time, built a record that is both visible and measurable. His re-election, therefore, is not merely about sustaining a political career; it is about preserving a strategic advantage that Kano North currently enjoys within Nigeria’s national power structure.

As the number five citizen in the country, his position offers the zone direct access to influence, opportunities, and federal preseence, assets that are neither automatic nor easily replaced.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Senator Barau’s stewardship is his deliberate investment in human capital development.
While some politicians are busy sponsoring mudslinging campaigns to tarnish his growing national image, Senator Barau has been busy building a future for Kano youth.

Recently, the first batch of his foreign-trained scholars returned home; 16 graduates in Cyber Security and Forensic Science and 10 graduates in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. These are not ordinary certificates. These are the tools of the 21st-century economy, and they are now in the hands of sons and daughters of Kano North.

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Subsequent batches are on the way. This is a pipeline of excellence. Lose Barau, and you lose the architect of this intellectual revolution.

If anyone doubts the scale of Senator Barau’s grassroots reach, let them examine the events of April 19, 2026. In a continuation of his legendary mega empowerment programmes, the Deputy President of the Senate distributed 47 brand new cars and 282 motorcycles to critical stakeholders and grassroots mobilizers across the 13 LGAs in Kano North including party chairmen, party secretaries, primary school headmasters, and secondary school principals among others. This was a strategic injection of mobility and dignity into the very fabric of the zone’s leadership.

Just five days later, on April 24, 2026, Senator Barau proved that his empowerment is not a one-off event but a continuous process. He announced the continuation of yet another significant programme that was launched previous month; a cash donation of ₦100,000 each to 100 beneficiaries in every single one of the 13 LGAs of Kano North.

Taken together, these initiatives reflect a leadership approach that is both strategic and people-centered. They are not isolated gestures but components of a broader vision aimed at uplifting communities, strengthening institutions, and preparing the next generation for global competitiveness.
It is, therefore, not surprising that such a rising profile at the national level may attract political opposition and attempts at distraction.

However, elections should ultimately be guided by evidence, performance, and the long-term interests of the people not by transient narratives.
Kano North today occupies a position of relevance in Nigeria’s political and developmental landscape. This is not accidental; it is the product of deliberate engagement, years of strategic alliances, and consistent delivery. To risk losing this standing would be to step back from a trajectory of progress that is already yielding results.

The decision before the electorate is therefore clear. It is a choice between consolidating and sustaining democratic gains or starting afresh; between sustained access to national influence or uncertain repositioning. In making that choice, the people must ask themselves a simple question: which path best secures their future?

Avoiding a regrettable mistake requires clarity of purpose and fidelity to facts. The record speaks for itself. Continuity, in this instance, is not just desirable, it is essential.

As Kano North looks ahead, the imperative is to protect its voice, preserve its advantage, and ensure that the momentum of development is not interrupted. Re-electing Senator Barau Jibrin is, therefore, not just a political decision it is a strategic investment in the future of the constituency.

Muazu A. Ishaq
+2348038981655
muazuabdullahi29@gmail.com

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Opinion

DSP Barau and “Abandoned Projects” : An Appraisal

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2 days ago

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April 29, 2026

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By Abba Anwar

Only those who know and understand the sluggish nature of budget implementation under different administrations, can understand whether projects are deliberately abandoned by their initiators and facilitators. Or whether the onus is on the pattern of implementation and implementors.

If Kaduna Eastern Bypass, initiated 2002, Abuja-Lokoja highway started in 2006, Kano-Maiduguri of 2007, Sokoto – Tambuwal- Jega-Kontagora, flagged – off in 2009, Abuja-Minna of 2010, among other abandoned federal projects, are not marked as noise making hubs, why then is Kano-Gwarzo-Dayi, that was flagged – off in June, 2021, can deliberately be tagged as point of condemnation by noise makers?

Kano-Gwarzo-Dayi federal road, as facilitated by the Deputy President of the Senate, His Excellency Barau I Jibrin, CFR, since 2021, though abandoned at a point, up to January, 2026, the work has resumed since February, 2026, this year.

Senator Jibrin worked hard and made sure that, the sum of Thirty Seven Billion Naira (N37,000,000,000) only was appropriated in 2026 Appropriation Bill, which has now become Act. After that he also pushed, very well for the additional Six Billion and Three Hundred Million Naira (N6, 300,000,000) only.

Unlike DSP’s facilitated federal road project of Kano-Gwarzo-Dayi, which was flagged – off in 2021, as contractors are back to site, since February, this year, there are many abandoned federal road projects, scattered around the country, whose resumption of work, with so many of the projects, is still elusive.

Such as Makurdi-Naka-Adoka-Ankpa federal road flagged – of in 2012, Calabar-Itu-Ikot Ekpene, of 2010, Benin-Sapele-Warri road, which was flagged – off in 2009, Enugu – Onitsha road, of 2013, Kano-Katsina dualization project, that was started in 2013, as contractor left in 2022, among many other abandoned federal roads.

Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano federal road is another case of study, in this context. The project has been in limbo for many years, with touch-and-go strategy.

So to me, castigating or rather blaming DSP for this singular Kano-Gwarzo-Dayi road is either premature or not necessary at all. In his own case, the work has resumed. And look at what he pushed to be reflected in 2026 national budget. Which has already become, 2026 Appropriation Act.

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Another constituency project for DSP Jibrin, is E-learning Centres across 5 local governments from his Kano North Senatorial District, in collaboration with National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), was facilitated by the Senator in 2015.

The Centres are across 5 local governments, Tofa, Gwarzo, Kabo, Bichi and Dambatta.

Some people erroneously blame the Senator, advancing that, the E-learning Centres were abandoned by him, since 2015, which, according to them, shows his “negligence” over his constituency. As a matter of fact, the truth of the matter is this, all the 5 E-learning Centres were converted to become Study Centres for National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). Amongst other locations from the remaining local governments that constitute Kano North Senatorial District.

Another great project that some are blaming His Excellency DSP is Barau Initiative for Agricultural Revolution in the North West (BIARN). Many things were said about it by opponents. But the truth of the matter is this, that the project is yet to take-off fully due to the issue of cash flow from the end of the partner agency. Which is Bank of Agriculture (BOA).

Coincidentally I came across a press statement issued by the
Special Adviser to the Deputy President of the Senate on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, narrating that, the Chairman of the Initiative, Prof. Bashir Fagge Muhammad, disclosed that, “Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the BOA management, applicants were invited to participate in the initiative. However, implementation was stalled due to challenges relating to cash flow.”

As the programme was unveiled March, 2025, it aims to revolutionise agriculture and encourage young Nigerian graduates to venture into farming.

Part of the statement reads, “Specifically, the programme was designed to empower 558 young farmers with loans ranging from N1 million to N5 million for rice and maize cultivation across the seven North West states in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on food security and youth empowerment.”

Adding that, “Applicants are therefore urged to remain patient, as the Board of the Initiative, under the chairmanship of Professor Bashir Fagge Muhammad, is working closely with the BOA management to resolve the issue.”

So we can now understand that the programme is not, and can never be, abandoned, as some started speculating while peddling rumors around.

It is not the intention of this piece to start cataloging DSP’s long standing achievements as the Senator representing Kano North, in many areas of human endeavor.

From his Scholarship scheme where hundreds of students were sponsored for their undergraduate studies, across Nigerian universities and dozens, who were sponsored for Postgraduate studies abroad, as some completed their studies and started coming back. As thousands students from his constituency are given scholarship for their upkeep. Not to talk of his intervention in all other areas of education.

I’m not cataloging his intervention in the security sector. As he is the single individual from across North West whose intervention in the sector supersedes that of many. A Senator like no other.

His effort in sports development is unmatched. Apart from aiding football clubs and players, his completion of stadium in each of the 13 local governments under his constituency, is something to write home about.

All his interventions in such areas will come our way shortly.

Anwar writes from Kano
Wednesday, 29th April, 2026

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Opinion

The Ink Dried Up: An Open Letter to Matthew Hassan Kukah-Prince Daniel Aboki

Published

3 days ago

on

April 28, 2026

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Dear Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah

I write you with the utmost sense of respect.

Permit me to begin by congratulating you. Not in the usual way, but in a manner that reflects a keen observation of recent developments in our country. Since the emergence of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President, and coincidentally since your assumption of office as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Federal University of Applied Sciences Kachia, there appears to have been a remarkable shift in the narrative of insecurity across Nigeria.

From Zamfara State to Sokoto State, Katsina State, Benue State, Plateau State, Kwara State, and indeed across several troubled parts of our nation, one might be tempted to conclude that the k!llings have suddenly come to an end. The silence is striking. The headlines have softened. The urgency has waned.

It is this very contrast that compels this letter.

You will recall, Bishop, your powerful and courageous interventions during the administration of Muhammadu Buhari. Your voice rang loud through a series of open letters that captured national attention and stirred both conscience and controversy.

On Christmas Day, December 25, 2018, you wrote with piercing clarity about a nation drifting, warning of a “nation at w@r with itself.”

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Again, on December 25, 2019, your message, “A Nation in Search of Vindication,” questioned the moral and political direction of leadership, calling attention to bloodshed and division.

On December 25, 2020, in “A Nation in Search of Peace,” you spoke even more bluntly, addressing the worsening insecurity and the growing despair among Nigerians.

And on December 25, 2022, your letter once again raised concerns about governance, justice, and the value of human life in Nigeria.

These interventions were not just letters. They were moral signposts. They reminded leadership of its duty and the nation of its conscience.

It is against this backdrop that your current silence, or perhaps restraint, becomes more noticeable.

Has the situation improved so dramatically that the urgency of those words is no longer required?

Have the forests suddenly emptied?
Have the highways become safe?
Have the cries of victims ceased?

Or is it that the burden of national admonition must shift depending on who occupies the seat of power?

Lord Bishop, sir, your voice has always carried weight not because it was loud, but because it was consistent. Not because it was critical, but because it was principled.

Nigeria still needs that voice.

Not selectively. Not occasionally. But steadfastly.

If indeed peace has returned to the troubled lands of Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Benue, Plateau, Kwara, and beyond, then you deserve commendation for witnessing such a transformation. But if, as many still believe, the reality on the ground has not changed as dramatically as the silence suggests, then your voice is needed now as much as it was then. Unless there is something we are not seeing that you would want us to see, could it be a case of “Tinubu I love, Buhari I hate”? Or should we begin to wonder whether conviction has given way to convenience?

Bishop, sir, would you recommend that we keep silent when we benefit and speak up only when we do not?

Over time, we have seen that history is kinder to those who remain constant in truth than to those who are convenient in silence.

I write not in condemnation, but in expectation.

Prince Daniel a Concerned Citizen and Head of cool Wazobia And Arewa Radio on Kano

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