Opinion
A Day to remember for CP Gumel
By Garba Musa
When the socio-political and economic organization, Kano Leads (Da Ruwana) finds it expedient to honour the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Usaini Gumel penultimate Saturday in Kano they did it in style. They chose a serene and convivial venue, The Afficent, at Sultan Road GRA, Kano to say a big thank you to him for his selfless and excellent service to Kano State and Nigeria in general.
It could be recalled that during the 2023 General Elections, Commissioners of Police around the Federation were transferred to States other than the ones they were holding for a transparent and smooth election processes. Kano was lucky to have CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel posted from Sokoto State as the co-ordinating Police Commissioner and he did extremely well to the delight of the citizenry. Everyone, including Kano Concerned Citizens Initiative (KCCI) showed appreciation. Infact KCCI paid a courtesy visit to CP Usaini at the Command Headquarters in Bompai led by the Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Mohammed (Sarkin Shanun Kano) and delivered a letter of appreciation at the way he handled the case of Kano during the elections.
It was based on this background that Kano Leads (Da Ruwana) took the giant step to honour him with a dinner party tagged “Kano Mun Gode”. He really deserves whatever the Kanawa could do for him given the excellent antecedents in his short stay in Kano State. Immediately, he settled down the erudite Commissioner looked into the dangerous and fearful crime of phone snatching that pervades at the time. Innocent citizens were being hacked down to death because of their cell phone. The culprits and heartless criminals would not spare one’s life after dispossessing him or her of the phone, but use a sharp knife to kill instantly. I could not sleep when l saw the picture of a Jalla Radio Staff lying on the road covered by his own blood after an attack by phone snatchers.
How cruel and unkind can a human-being be. The memory has remained a nightmare for me. Luckily, the chap survived it after good Samaritans came to his rescue. Others were not so lucky and they were in hundreds. This is now a thing of the past, courtesy of CP Gumel. He turned his attention to another murderous group better known as ‘Yan Daba who engage in fatal attacks on people in several localities within Kano Municipality. The way Gumel tamed this dangerous group clearly exposes his professional training as a security officer with special dispensation and sound investigative prowess. He arranged a football match between them and the Police Command which enabled them to integrate back to the society.
As at today fifty (50) of the over two hundred repentant ‘Yan Daba were trained and absorbed into the State Police constabulary. We have seen many Police Commissioners in Kano State from 1967 to date but it is difficult to beat this maestro of a Policeman. He has also brought a new meaning to community policing, not only in Kano but the Nation as a whole.
It is because of all t he above and others not mentioned on improvement of the security architecture in Kano that the Board of Trustees (BOT) of Kano Leads (Da Ruwana) decided to honour him with a thank you reception with the crème-de-la-crème of kano Elites (both traditional, business and academic) to show appreciation for the excellent job he has been doing to Kano.
According to the Chairman of Kano Leads Alhaji (Barrister) Bashir Mohammed Dalhatu, the Waziri of Dutse, the get-together was done to give honour to whom due. He reiterates the fact that Kano Leads should have been ‘Kano-Jigawa Leads, but since the two States were conjoined twins, the name remains Kano Leads. He took delight in showing the gathering that he is from Jigawa State and so was Commissioner Gumel and the ubiquitous Police Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Kiyawa. He espouses and congratulated Alhaji Gumel for his exploits and promise that the organization will always shine its searchlight on any citizen from this end who exhibits semblances of selfless service and integrity to assigned duties.
The President of Kano Leads, Barrister Aisha Dankani, mni was no less in praise for CP Gumel as she was in awe of how he professionally and craftly overcame the menace that enveloped Kano before and during the 2023 election period. She craved his indulgence to turn his attention to the gory crime of rape which was gaining momentum in Kano with its attendant social stigma to families.
Speaker after speaker from the representative of His Highness, Emir of Kano, Sarkin Dawaki Maituta to Alhaji Sa’idu Adahama, Gwani Faruk Umar who both extolled the good virtues of CP Gumel and the recognition of his professional prowess, deployed positively in bringing peace and tranquility to Kano. They both drew the attention of Governments to involve traditional institutions in community policing for a peaceful and vibrant society as Sa’ad bn Waqas was saying in his sermons.
A short lecture on the essence of security and protection of life and property in Islam was delivered by Professor Bashir Aliyu Umar, the Chief Iman of Al-Furqan Mosque, after w hich Gwani Faruk Umar read some verses of the Holy Quran and a prayer for the success of Commissioner of Police Mohammed Usaini Gumel in all his endeavours, was observed.
Earlier in his response, the celebrant expressed his gratitude to the Almighty Allah and the Board of Trustees of Kano Leads for finding him worthy of a dinner of that magnitude. He promised to continue with his effort to sanitize Kano State and neighbouring States from criminals and vowed to take the issue of rape head-on henceforth. We pray for him for Allah’s deliverance. Dignitaries from the security agencies, including the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Shika graced the occasion. His lovely wife Hajiya Hadiza was around to give him necessary support, while sister organizations like the Arewa Consultative Farum (ACF) represented by its Kano Chairman, Gwani Faruk Umar and the Kano Concerned Citizens Initiative (KCCI) was fully represented by its members.
Members of the Press from the Print, electronic and social media came in droves. The Master of Ceremony, Doctor Bala Muhammad of Bayero University displayed the footprint of greats like our own Ahmed Aminu, to the satisfaction of all.
There was a lot of eat and drink and the occasion was orderly and circumspect. It was really a day to remember not only for CP Gumel, but for all of us that attended the occasion.
Musa, is a retired permanent secretary in Kano state civil service.
Abdulrazak Ibrahim
During my undergraduate years in the 90s, I spent countless hours offering private lessons to the children of the affluent in Kano, especially within the Lebanese community around Bompai.
What began as a modest hustle blossomed into a wide-reaching network of tutors that spanned the city. That was just within the realm of teaching.
But as a son of Kano, my connection to the city runs far deeper. I’ve walked its pulse-literally. I would trek from BUK to Bata, soaking in the rhythm of life on every street.
I lived once in Kabara, where I was fully immersed in the city’s rich traditions, especially during the annual Durbar festivities at my late uncle’s house-he was the then Sakin Hawa of Sarkin Kano.
I watched Kano expand before my eyes.
I spent countless evenings at Wapa Cinema and served as a census enumeration officer, counting the people of Tudun Nupawa, Marmara, and Soron Dinki.
I travelled across the state-from Albasu to Zakirai-witnessing its cultural and economic breadth.
I’ve seen immigrants from across the Sahel flock to this city, drawn by its promise of life and trade.
My own town of birth, Kura-a local government in the state-is now home to some of the largest rice production and processing clusters in Africa, a true testament to Kano’s agricultural prowess and enduring relevance in food systems development.
I frequented Kofar Ruwa market, where my father’s spare parts shops were located, and where I regularly interacted with Igbo traders from across Nigeria.
I was creditworthy to the newspaper vendor at Bata and the Tuwo seller near a filling station in Kabuga.
Life in Kano was textured and vibrant
As university students, we attended musical concerts at Alliance Française and danced the night away at Disco J.
As secondary school students, we debated fiercely and won inter-secondary school quizzes and competitions, sharpening minds and building futures.
Almost every doctor, engineer, pharmacist, or scientist from Kano passed through one of our renowned science secondary schools-many of them going on to set records on both national and global stages.
Kano is not just a city-it is a living legacy. It pulses with innovation and enterprise. From agriculture to industrial production, logistics to sustainable manufacturing, food and nutrition to textiles and services, Kano is a mosaic of possibilities.
Here, livelihoods are not stumbled upon-they are forged with creativity and intent.
In this city, it’s nearly impossible not to find a means of sustenance. Kano is, indeed, abundance in motion.
Our story is not a modern miracle. Our industries and institutions are rooted in antiquity, stretching back thousands of years.
Perhaps that is why Kano is so often misunderstood-and even envied, as seen in the recent uproar sparked by a misguided, lowbrow TikToker with neither education nor depth.
From distant corners, individuals from places ravaged by material lack and intellectual barrenness often log on to the internet to hurl slurs at a people and culture they neither understand nor care to.
But we know who we are.
And we will protect that identity.
We will labour to ensure that Kano continues to flourish, to lead, and to evolve-technologically and economically-without losing its philosophical soul or cultural roots.
As Professor Uba Abdallah so wisely declared: “When a man is tired of Kano, that man is tired of life.”
And Kano-our Kano-is still full of life.
Still bold, still brilliant, still ours.
Opinion
Support for President Tinubu’s Policies and Call for the Appointment of Hisham Habib as Political Adviser
By Auwal Dankano
We, a coalition of concerned citizens and political stakeholders, express our unwavering support for the bold and decisive policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu aimed at revitalizing our nation and securing a prosperous future for all Nigerians.
President Tinubu’s commitment to economic reform, infrastructural development, and social welfare initiatives demonstrates a clear vision for progress. We commend his administration’s efforts to address the challenges facing our country, and we believe that with continued dedication and strategic leadership, Nigeria will overcome these obstacles and achieve its full potential.
In light of the recent resignation of Hakeem Baba-Ahmed as Political Adviser, we urge President Tinubu to consider the appointment of Hisham Habib as his successor. Hisham Habib is a seasoned political strategist with a proven track record of effective communication, policy analysis, and stakeholder engagement. His extensive experience and deep understanding of the Nigerian political landscape make him an ideal candidate to serve as a trusted advisor to the President.
Hisham Habib’s qualifications include: A degree in English and attended courses in politics and journalism in both local and overseas. He works with media houses up to the level of managing editor, and he was the first set of publishers of online newspapers in Nigeria.
He also served a the Director media of NNPP presidential and govarnatorial election, as well as appointed as Managing Director of Kano State own Radio station.
Many remember him as the pioneer chairman of NNPP, Kano state chapter , whose political expertise help the party win the number one seat in Kano.
As he decamped to the ruling APC, he build a strong chain , that will make our great party victorious at the fourth coming elections.
We believe that Hisham Habib’s appointment would strengthen the President’s advisory team and enhance the effective implementation of his administration’s agenda. His expertise in political strategy and his commitment to national development align perfectly with President Tinubu’s vision for Nigeria.
We call upon President Tinubu to give serious consideration to Hisham Habib’s candidacy and to appoint him as Political Adviser. We are confident that his contributions will be invaluable in advancing the President’s goals and ensuring the success of his administration.
We also want to call the attention of Mr President to consider Auwal Dankano for a national assignment. Auwal is the chairman of Rwinwin, a movement that worked tirelessly toward the success of president Tunubu in the last elections year.
Dankano is a quantity surveyor, with over two decades of field experience, and always promote APC and President Tunubu masses oriented policies.
Ha was a board member of Kano Micro finance, as well as Representative of Kano State , in Northern Governor’s Forum.
We reaffirm our unwavering support for President Tinubu and his efforts to build a stronger, more prosperous Nigeria.
Auwal Dankano
National Chairman
APC Forum of Intellectuals.
Dr. Auwalu Halilu
Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un.
It is with deep sorrow and a heavy heart that the Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) receives the sad news of the passing of our dear friend, mentor, and a tireless champion of education and development, Dr. Auwalu Inusa Mohammed, former Chairman of the Education Support Group (ESG).
Dr. Auwalu was not only a pillar in the education sector but a beacon of hope and resilience for all who believed in the power of knowledge and community development. His wisdom, humility, and unwavering commitment to improving educational outcomes have left an indelible mark on our state and beyond.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues, and the entire development community. His legacy of service, advocacy, and dedication to humanity will continue to inspire us.
May Allah (SWT) forgive his shortcomings, grant him Jannatul Firdaus, and give his loved ones the strength to bear this great loss.
Dr. Auwalu Halilu
Co-Chair (CSOs),
Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) .
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