Amana Online - Articles - Barka Da Zuwa

Accounts are given of how after courtesy calls on high profiled top government officials and their counterparts in the private sector which are highly publicized, especially where demands are made, the ceremony terminates there. But not so for the Kano state governor, Ibrahim Shekarau.

Another accounts have it that the kind-hearted Kano state Chief Executive is fast warming himself into the psyche of Nigerians as the only one of his kind who even though plays down such courtesy visits goes ahead to keep the pledges he has made to whichever individual or group that sought his or the state government’s assistance towards redressing their problems, either in moral terms or monetary even at short notice.

Some of the groups or institutions that have received from his magnanimity are federal agencies, especially the security apparatus operating in the state. He particularly has soft spots for them, or so he has exhibited. Moreover, he is oftentimes quick to explain that he does that because all arms of government are serving the same people, and that it is to them the ultimate benefit goes.

A school of thought have also emphasized that this magnanimity for the uniformed services may have emanated from the fact that he comes from the same background. He himself has nevertheless explained in different fora that his father was a police officer who he grew up with in several barracks across the country. So, he by this fact experienced first hand and probably shares in the gains and the pains of the uniformed service. Now, having been blessed with power and with a level of capacity, he allows the joy of sharing come from the inner recesses of his heart.

This is what he exhibited recently when the Nigerian Army came calling with cap in hand. What more? Shekarau heeded to their cry for help. It is the latest of such beneficiaries of the state largesse of recent through its 3rd Brigade located in the ancient pyramid city of Kano. The other one is the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). While the former received in its kitty six patrol vehicles and an X-ray machine mounted at its base at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) on January 6, 2008, the latter had its 2.5 MV transformer worth about N9 million donated by the Kano state government commissioned on 12th January which was barely a week apart.

This is particularly instructive because the Brigade Commander, 3rd Brigade, Brigadier General Kenneth Agboola Vigo did not betray his emotion when during the presentation ceremony, he told the August occasion that, when he assumed office, he observed with great concern the epileptic nature of electricity supply in Bukavu Barracks which prompted him to reach out to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) with a view to fashion out a solution.

However, the PHCN, according to him, recommended the acquisition and subsequent installation of a dedicated 2.5 MV transformer in the barracks to enable it move from 11 KVA line to 33 KVA line. Having said that, the cost implication of N9 million seemed to the army authority at 3rd Brigade a mirage because of its very lean resources.

Vigo disclosed that having considered every possible option, the only one that stared them on the face as realisable; was to seek external assistance. And again, who to approach outside the army authority became serious brainstorming, no doubt. At the end of it, the Commander led his ‘troops’, cap in hand to Kano Government House for solution, a move that eventually manifested without much ado. The commissioning that day was an attestation to this development.

Hear what he has to say: “Consequently, the Kano State Government under the leadership of His Excellency, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau was requested for assistance. Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, out of his concern for humanity, the request was expressly granted by His Excellency and the total amount for the project was released”, an obviously elated General Vigo stated.

And with some air of satisfaction, he further stressed that the transformer was subsequently mounted in May 2007 and the barracks has been having constant electricity supply since then.

“Let me state here that His Excellency has touched our lives in no small measure because by extension, water supply in the barracks has also received a boost since the boreholes in the barracks depend on constant power supply for optimum operations”, he reeled out. The army general on behalf of his officers, soldiers, their families and the entire Bukavu Barracks community eulogised Governor Ibrahim Shekarau for his “benevolent act which is a distinguished mark of our landlords the good people of Kano state.

Distinguished guests, the focal point of His Excellency’s administration are that of human development. You can begin to appreciate the impact of full electricity supply on an erstwhile dark barrack community. Today, our wives have began to support their husbands through petty jobs and these by extension have improved their living standard, health and their general well-being”, he unraveled further.

“Your Excellency, we cannot thank you enough, you have always lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation. You have been severally honoured for your decency and piety for fairness. Little wonder that this commissioning was placed on hold till after the elections to avoid any perceived undue advantage as the elections drew nearer”, General Kenneth Vigo said for the benefit of doubting Thomases.

Meanwhile, earlier before the army windfall, it was the turn of the NDLEA in the state. The government of Kano state doled out six pick-up patrol vans to the agency as well as an X-ray machine for its Airport Command.

At the occasion, Ahmadu Giade, the chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA in his speech described the donation of an X-ray machine and three vehicles by the Kano state government as a laudable gesture, expressing pleasure that the administration in the state has demonstrated a strong will to combat elicit drug trafficking.

“It is even more gratifying to note that the Agency’s request for assistance has always been speedily attended to by the state government. Three vehicles have previously been presented to the Kano State Command of the Agency. This shows that the State cares for its citizens particularly the youths who are most susceptible to drug trafficking, drug abuse and other related crimes. The capacity of the Agency to tackle the drug scourge in the State has been greatly enhanced by the responsible leadership and open-handedness of the government of Kano state”, he explained gleefully.

In his opening address before his chairman took the stage, State Commander, NDLEA, Kano State Command, Barrister Walter Nicholas had posited that “the occasion is the commissioning ceremony by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano state, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau of six vehicles donated by the state government to the state Command during His Excellency’s 5 years in office....Initially, three vehicles were donated before my arrival to this Command on the 9th day of June, 2007, while three new Toyota Hillux pick-up vans were also made available through the Justice Sector Reforms Committee as well as an X-ray machine installed at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport in the last seven months”.

Furthermore, Nicholas poured encomiums on Governor Shekarau and his administration to the effect that it has demonstrated its commitment to the service of God and humanity which he said explains why it is interested in making sure that its citizenry are morally, socially, culturally and financially brought up to be good leaders of tomorrow within a crime free society.

“I therefore encourage other serving governors especially here in the North to emulate the policies of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano state, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, I am sure that is why he answers the name “Malam” for he cares about the interest of the masses”, he preached.

Such are the eulogies the governor have had to be petted with, and this kind of magnanimity both in doling out largesse which are worthy demands anyway, perhaps gave him the much deserved second term in office which is a record in this clime. For instance the police command in the state has received countless assistance from the state government at various times to ease their operations, especially the combat of crimes as well as to make the lives of officers and men of the Command in the state pleasurable.

So, it has been with Governor Shekarau whose essence is not only to keep his pledge, but to also add bite to his administration’s human development philosophy, which is a focal point of the incumbent government

Therefore, it is gratifying to use this medium to extend this special call on the governor to use his good office and goodwill to appeal and in fact, encourage individuals, companies and corporation organisations, especially multi-national ones with presence in Kano to support his effort by transcending it into a culture. They should be up and doing in their corporate social responsibility and jettison the lipservice attitude as it is currently. The time has come for all to put hands together to assist the federal security agencies in the state to compliment the governor who has already set the standard.

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