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Opinion

A Day to remember for CP Gumel

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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. 

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Opinion

Tribute to Abubakar Sadik Sunusi Bature (Modibbo) 2009 TO 2024

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Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un (Verily, we belong to Allah and to Him we shall return)

By Ibrahim Yaro Dawakin Tofa

Oh Abubakar, my dear son, you left us too soon. Your passing has left a void in our lives that can never be filled. I remember your calm and humble nature, your kindness, and your responsibility. You were a shining example of a young man who had a bright future ahead of him.

I wish you and Nuruddeen Ibrahim Yaro grew up together to become close friends like I and Sunusi. Your friendship was a beautiful thing to see, and I have no doubt that you both would have achieved great things together.

Nuruddeen, my dear son, I offer my heartfelt condolence to you. May Allah grant you comfort and peace during this difficult time. May the beautiful memories of your friendship with Abubakar bring a smile to your face and warmth to your heart.

Abubakar, my dear son, I remember the effort your father made to take you to India in search of good health and well-being. He spared no expense in ensuring your happiness and health. I recall telling your father, “Malam yaron nan ka jiyar da shi duk wani dadi da za ka iya saboda ka ga sikila ne” (You are the closest person to your father, and he would do anything to make you happy). And indeed, he did everything humanly possible to make you happy.

It’s heartbreaking to hear that Abubakar Sadik had a dream that remained unfulfilled at the time of his passing. Becoming a barrister, and the head of Sunusi Bature’s household as the first son was clearly important to him, and it’s sad that he didn’t get to realize that goal.

It’s a reminder that life can be unpredictable and fragile, and sometimes our plans and dreams are cut short. But even in death, Abubakar’s memory and legacy can live on through the stories, memories, and impact he had on those around him.

May his family and loved ones find comfort in the memories they shared with him and the dreams he had, even if they weren’t fully realized. May they also find strength in the support of their community and the knowledge that they are not alone in their grief.

Good night, Modibbo. May Allah grant you Jannatul Firdausi and reunite you with your loved ones in the hereafter.

Condolence to Nuruddeen Ibrahim Yaro

Nuruddeen, my dear son, may Allah grant you the strength and courage to continue on the path of righteousness and responsibility, just like your dear friend Abubakar. You both had a special bond, and I pray that Allah reunites you both in the hereafter.

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un (Verily, we belong to Allah and to Him we shall return)

May Allah grant Abubakar Sadik Sunusi Bature Jannatul Firdausi and comfort his family and loved ones. Ameen.

Ibrahim Yaro Dawakin Tofa Talban Alajawa
27th October 2024”

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Opinion

Prodigal Daughter – Now, proudly my Boss: Dr. Suwaiba Sa’idu Ahmad, Minister of State, Education

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Prof. Abdalla Uba Adamu

 

It is not often that one gets the rare opportunity to witness the birth of a star. I count myself to be privileged to have done so.

In 1980 I started my employment as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Education, Bayero University Kano. As was the case at the time, I was allocated a housing apartment in Zoo Road. Two of my neighbors were Isma’ila Abubakar Tsiga and Sa’idu Ahmad Babura. I was a bachelor, and both had families and treated me with utmost respect, despite the age gap. Both were older than me, and both became my lifelong friends. So much that they opened up the doors of their homes and minds to me and got me deeply involved in literature (they were both in the Department of English BUK). If you are looking for the precise moment the seeds of my literary tree were watered, it was in Zoo Road.

In 1981 Sa’idu’s wife gave birth to a stunningly beautiful baby girl. She was named Suwaiba. I remember holding her in my hands and saying the prayers I could for her long life and prosperity. We later went to the naming ceremony in Baɓura — it was the first time I was in the town, and I was stuck by the serenity of the place.

That child soon bloomed into an undergraduate B.Sc. Ed Chemistry student. Incredibly brilliant, and emerging the top of her class. No surprises there – she and her other siblings were simply the top of their class wherever they find themselves, due to the incredibly liberal, but supportive family atmosphere that pervades the house. Although there was firmness. For instance, she wanted to study medicine after high school, but her dad insisted on her studying education. She came to me crying to intervene. I tried, but he was adamant it has to be education. After back and forth we decided she should obey her father and study Education. She agreed but vowed to return to school to study Medicine after she has finished with Education.

I can easily sympathize, in reverse. My father wanted me to study Medicine, I don’t! So, I ended up in Science Education – just like Suwaiba. How, look where she is – following parental counsel, she was blessed to be at the top of the game. Oh, she decided not to come back for Medicine after all – Education was just too good.

Employing her in 2005 after she graduate in the Department of Education under the able leadership of (now) Prof. Abdulrashid Garba, the current Vice-Chancellor of Khalifa Isyaku Rabi’u University (KHAIRUN) was a boon to the Department. She was easily the hardest working staff member, always eager to be part of a team, often taking leadership control if the ship seems rudderless.

In 2007 the University created Science and Technical Education Department. I, together with Suwaiba, (now) Prof. Sagir Adamu Abbas (current Vice-Chancellor, Bayero University Kano), and a few others were deployed to the new Department. She started her Masters degree under my supervision. I could barely keep up with her ballistic enthusiasm, a trait she inherited from her father, Prof. Sa’id Ahmad Babura.

As my “daughter” (her reference to me has always been “Baba Abdalla”, endearing me further to the family), she became my protégé. I became her Head of Department from 2010-2013, and we got heavily involved in NGO activities in teacher training, for she is extremely dedicated to Teacher education. She spent 15 years in international NGO activities in improving teacher education programs.

She finished her Master’s degree in record time and almost immediately rolled over to a PhD, but this time in Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, finishing in 2014. She was the first female from Jigawa State to obtain a PhD in the rare field of Science Education. Her Google Scholar profiles her impressive research in Chemistry Education, Science Education and Gender Studies. Her ResearchGate profile highlights one of the first experimental uses of AI ChatGPT in Organic Chemistry Classrooms – demonstrating her future-oriented focus on embracing AI in high school education.

In every workshop setting, I would just down and watch her proudly as she explained the various techniques of teaching to teachers in Kano and Jigawa States. She developed a series of teacher training modules for international NGOs that were used in teacher training refresher programs. When she finished her doctoral studies in 2014, I had already migrated to the Department of Mass Communication in October 2012. She was visibly unhappy about my moving away because we taught a course on the Philosophy of Science together which she really enjoys. I assured her I will always be around the corner.

Administratively, she also earned her laurels. From 2018 to 2020 she became the first female to become the Head of Science Education, then Sub-Dean Academics in the Faculty of Education, and eventually Associate Professor of Chemistry Education. Due to her brilliant performances, she was appointed Director,

Center for Gender Studies from 2020 to 2024, a position she impressively held, forming a womanist, rather than feminist focus on gender issues, especially education, in a traditional society. In this, she was mentored by Prof. Ruqayyah Ahmed Rufa’i, the former Honorable Minister of Education (2010-2013), also from Jigawa State. Bayero University remains proud of its women Education Ministers – and all from the same State!

It was from there that she jumped to be the Provost Jigawa State College of Education, Ringim in March 2024. And in October 2024, she was nominated the Minister of State, Education.

At 43, she is young. That’s for sure. For sure also, that is her biggest advantage. She promises fresh air of future learning with her demonstrable competencies in field-tested qualitative research, Artificial Intelligence and focus on scientific learning among young people, particularly young girls.

I am proud of Suwaiba as a daughter. Proud of her as a colleague. Proud of her as a protégé. Now, as the recently appointed Minister of State, Education, I am proud of her as my boss. Allah Ya ƙara basira da albarka.

This was first published on Prof. Abdalla Uba Adamu’s Facebook account.

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Opinion

Kano bags National Council on Education award

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Yusha’u Hamza Kafinchiri, ANIPR

Kano state has been awarded best state in Nigeria by the National Council on Education (NCE) for its outstanding performance for submitting its report based on national policy.

Kano state government delegation led by state commissioner of Education Alhaji Umar Haruna Doguwa received the award at the 68th NCE’s meeting held in Abuja.

Doguwa who received the award on behalf of the state government said it is a prestigious award for Kano being the most outstanding state in reporting based on national policy compliance.

This outstanding recognition is borne out of the State government’s commitment and the determination of his excellency the executive governor of Kano State Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf to prioritise education, having met the sector in disarray.

The government’s Commitment to provide high-quality education in the State through its reforms and partnership, has led to his excellency’s serious reforms within just one year of his administration.Ths include the review of the state 60 years old Kano state education law and 5 other obsolete education policies.

The event was passionately graced by the Minister of Education, Mal. Tahir Mamman and the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu. The permanent secretary FME, 36 state commissioners of education and captains of the industry.

The award highlights Kano State’s dedication to aligning its education policies with national standards. Through an update report of policy Implementation on which the state government received the award.

The administration of Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf has made an impactful significant stride in education and human capital development, by recognizing education as the backbone of the society.

The governor has already declared a state of emergency in the education sector and convened a multi billion naira recovery stimulus conference (education recovery conference) in which strategy is drawn for robust sector reform in collaboration with PLANE Nigeria and AREWA consultative forum

The ministry of education according to Doguwa is committed to continuing this excellent work, ensuring that pupils and students in the state receive the best possible education to thrive in their future endeavors.

Yusha’u Hamza Kafinchiri, ANIPR,
is a Director Monitoring and Evaluation,
Ministry of Education,
Kano State.

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