Kano State Commissioner, Information and Home Affairs Opens Up On Governor Ganduje’s leadership style,  National Issues

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ZAINAB TANIMU
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Kano State Commissioner, Information and Home Affairs Opens Up On Governor Ganduje’s leadership style,  National Issues
Zainab Tanimu
Kaduna, Northwest Nigeria
Hon. Muhammed Garba is Kano State Commissioner, Information and Home Affairs. A former President, Nigeria Union of Journalists, and member, Steering Committee of International Federation of Journalists.
In this interactive session, ‘Lets Talk Nigeria’ on Kaduna League of Veterans Journalists Programme, he opens up on Danguje’s style ofleadership style and other national issues.
Excerpts:
“Kano state is a state to be, a Nigeria to be. Said the commissioner.
The eloquent and vibrant Kano born journalist turned politician has described Kano state as the most peaceful and economically stable state in the north its populous nature not withstanding. What is the magic?
According to the commissioner, his governor’s style of leadership speaks for him. Governor Danguje wants to leave behind a legacy. That of Kano state being the most peaceful state in the north.
Your Excellency Sir, it’s quite exciting to hear that Kano state is about the most peaceful state in the whole country. That sounds very magical.
We want to share your experiences on peace making and peace building in Kano state considering the fact that  states like Zamfara, Katsina, Niger Kaduna are  battling with this ugly situation.
We need to first of all examine the governor’s background.
We were elected in 2015. The governor was a former Director, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) in Abuja. He was the Secretary of settlement of peace. He served more than four military administrators. Incidentally, even when there was change of administrators by the president, you realise that my governor will be retained.
All the three administrators retained Dr. Ganduje in the same office as Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport. He was an envoy in Geneva.
He was a Deputy Governor in 99, he was a Deputy Governor, 2011-2015. So if you look at his working experiences, experience that has to do with relating with people, l think you will give him a credit on that.
Kano enjoys harmonious leadership. Kano is now the most peaceful state in the north bearing in mind what is happening. And we have the highest population in northern Nigeria.
Why are we peaceful? Of course, from God. You find people coming to Kano, most people from Katsina, from Jigawa, Zamfara, part of Kaduna, because of the issue of security. You see, security is key. And l also believe that His Excellency the governor of Kaduna state is doing his best.
I worked with quite a number of people before l was appointed. l worked with the former governor of Kano state as press Secretary in the national assembly, Engr. Musa Kwankwaso. l worked with so many leaders in government but believe me, l have not worked with somebody that l so much respect because of his capacity and ability like the governor l am serving now.
Kano state has an Interfaith Council on ground, can you throw more light on it?
Yes, the Governor has inaugurated a 23 member committee on religious tolerance in the state to promote and consolidate religious tolerance amongst the people. Due to our diversity, it has become a very important issue. You see, there is need to respect one another’s religion.
The Chief Imam of Sahaba Juma’at Mosque, Sheikh Uthman, was appointed as the Chairman of the committee, while Arch. Bishop Peter Ogunmuyiwa was appointed as the co-chair of the committee. And I was appointed to serve as the committee’s secretary.
In the cabinet, all the major ethnic groups are represented irrespective of your tribe or religion. Some as special advisers, special assistance and the rest of it. There is no programme that is initiated by this groups that my governor does not attend. That is why during the Ensars problem, it did not happen in Kano. That was why when it started they all said No! We do not have such experiences. Of course there are some cases here and there. The leaders of these groups said No, we don’t have such issues.
Our security agencies l must confess are really cooperating. All the members of the cabinet have direct contact with the commissioner of police. We have direct contact with brigade commander and everybody and they relate very well with them.
The security committee is large with
DSS coopted, Customs also coopted, Immigration, Correctional homes, those involved in Human Trafficking Prevention, NAFDAC, even the NDLEA, because of drugs, the Federal Road Safety Corps, as well as our own local traffic managers, Karota, the Vigilante group.
These agencies l mentioned are related as far as crime is concerned. All these are put  into committee where meetings are held and information exchanged.
That actually has encouraged synergy within all the security council.
Moreso the chief security officer which is the governor has been very proactive. He is very committed and serious in terms of addressing the issue of security.
The governor, in order to achieve success went further to create Emirates.
Involving the traditional leaders They discuss and hold their meetings with village heads, district heads discuss issues that will enhance peaceful co-existence and that has equally helped in maintaining peace.
Most importantly is the issue of technology. We have the Falgore forest which is bordering Kano, Kaduna and Bauchi and also not far away from Plateau.
In that forest, we established a military training ground in conjunction with the Army. And there’s a lot of military training going on in that forest using the facilities that we have provided.
We have introduced technology within the forest. From the office of the DSS in Kano and the Office of the Commissioner of Police and even from the office of the governor we are able to monitor what is happening in the forest.
That is helping to checkmate the activities of bandits in that forest. The governor had requested Mr President to establish institution within that forest so that the forest will be liberated completely.
So, honestly, Kano state, as far as we are concerned is a place to be, Nigeria to be, people are coming emmass, relocating to the place because of the nature and you can see we have the highest number in terms of population. We have the highest in the country because we are even disputing the issue of Lagos. When you are talking of crime, like in cities, cosmopolitan cities that is where you have a lot of crime but in Kano we are having cosmopolitan city still the level of crime is not much.We are not saying we don’t have crime. There are but not much.
Sir, everyone all over the world knows that Nigeria is preparing for an election and this election seems to be the toughest. What are the plans the Kano state government is putting in place to ensure that all the political parties are given free hand?
The state government will provide an enabling environment for all the candidates and all candidates will certainly get their share of votes depending on how the electorates perceived them.
The situation in Kano is not tense because there is synergy. The governor has ensured that there is peace understanding between all the political parties. Whenever we have programmes, we invite them. The last programme we did we invited all of them because we believe all the parties are stakeholders and they all came.
Since they are coming on board, they should come and listen to clerics on the issue of peaceful co-existence because people use religion to create problems. We believe that if they are there, they will have an open mind. You can see the candidates relating with one another.  Ofcourse, there are problems here and there normally in politics.
Their supporters at times will engage in some activities but even at that, as far as l am concerned in Kano, the relationship amongst the political parties is very cordial. The governor has provided an enabling environment. Even the media houses. I am the Managing Director, of radio Kano. At a point a journalist approached me and asked, ” can we air the news of so, so, and so, party? I said, are they not from Kano? Are they not Nigerians? Have you forgotten the ethics of your profession? I said, whatever they have, as long as it is within the law, go ahead. What is the problem? Though we cannot rule out the fact that there are critics who will want to pull you down but the governor is very understanding.
Honestly, the governor is doing everything to make sure that we are secured. It is when you are secured that you will have time, energy and the ‘will’ to go out and participate in the election.
I am confident that Kano State will produce lots of votes come 2023. The votes from Nasarawa Local Government of the state alone is more than the entire votes of the South-Eastern states combined. I am confident we will deliver Kano State to APC.
I know the former governor of the state is also going to be on the ballot but history can repeat itself again in Kano because late Moshood Abiola of the defunct SDP defeated Kano born late Bashir Tofa of the defunct NRC during the 1993 presidential election.
Responding to some national issues. President Buhari the commissioner said despite challenges has recorded a number of achievements which unfortunately are not brought to light. Buhari has done his best. Nigerians are quick to forget. He added.
Your Excellency Sir, APC has ruled for over 7yrs and still hoping to be re-elected. Is there any specific thing it has done that will sell the party to Nigerians for re-election, come 2023?
I don’t know whether you are asking me this question at the level of the president or at the level of my state. Well, whatever, l will attempt to highlight some issues.
When President Buhari came on board in 2015, the issue of security had been serious challenge. For those of us living in Kano, we don’t go to mosque because of fear. As early as subhi prayer, ( morning prayer) you can see the security checks from your house, your place of work, schools if you can remember, because people forget. I am not saying there are no issues
The problem of insecurity was inherited from past leaders.
If you look at what is happening today as far as the 2023 elections is concerned, people are worried because of the security situation. This issue of security will continue to come on board because without security, there is nothing you can do. A lot of offices of the INEC have been burnt. Chairman of INEC has raised issues. The national security adviser on television raised an issue that some people are undermining the election process. They are bent on ensuring that there are crisis but Mr. President has given directive that no matter the situation, there should be 2023 election.
Still on national issues,President Buhari the commissioner said despite challenges has recorded a number of achievements which unfortunately are not brought to light. Buhari has done his best. Nigerians are quick to forget. He added.
There is a lot of progress recorded.
By our nature, people will say anything about you while in office.
Look at President Johnathan while he was in office, people said so many things about him.
A look at the rail project,  it was initiated by past leaders. When Buhari came on board, he did not say this project was initiated by Johnathan, l don’t want Johnathan to take the credit but continued the project.
The train service started in Kaduna and  completed. The president did that of lbadan and Lagos and have been completed. He now extended it. Now passes from Kano to Jigawa to Katsina.
Train service operates globally.  It is easy and cheaper means of transportation.
President Buhari has also tried in the area of workers salaries by providing bail out funds to governors to pay workers salaries.
On the issue of New Nigeria News papers,
He made some efforts.
.
Also, the issue of Ajaokuta mining company, the work is in progress. I was there. I stopped there. By the time that project is completed, It will be wonderful.
Another area is that of oil. They have just discovered areas where there are deposits and Mr. President looked at the project.
The  President officially flagged off the anticipated drilling of crude oil at the Kolmani field, which is lapping on the border of Bauchi and Gombe states.
Of course the project is not moving as expected, at least there was efforts.
Despite all the challenges irrespective of the corona issue he still tried to work things out.
Though l am not speaking for Mr. president, l must say, Buhari has done his best.
 A one time Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ Kaduna Council, Mr. Andrew Fadason, newly turbaned, Galadiman Gbagyi, giving a run down of the objectives of the league, explained.
“As veterans, we have the intellectual resources and we feel that we can contribute for Nigeria’s advancement and that is why we have decided to call this our project, let’s talk Nigeria in order to help in contributing to the advancement of the country.
“We feel that a lot needs to be done especially given the complex of problems that we are having in this country. Where we are supposed to talk out, we don’t talk out, and where we are supposed to be in the vanguard, we are not in the vanguard so we are seen to be passengers echoing messages from interest groups.
We feel that the narrative have to change.
We must change the narrative of our reportage.
Giving it more professionalism.
Because these days media organizations don’t have the resources for training and retraining.
“We feel we owe the young generation of journalists coming up the responsibility to impact some of our experiences and knowledge to them.
We feel that we should have a forum where we can mentor young journalists as much as possible
There are so many things happening on a daily basis on the scientific and technological field which needs to be impacted on us with regards to going about our duties. We need to mentor them. Thus the essence of this league.
The management of Arewa House, Hamdalla, the media including Non Governmental organization NGOs are ready  to partner with us.”
Speaking, the Managing Director, Hamdalla Kaduna, Dr. Shaibu Aliyu while assuring his bond of partnership with the league commended the commissioner for identifying with his colleagues in the pen profession despite his tight schedule while hoping that the momentum be sustained.
 Dr. Aliyu urged members of the league to strive harder in order to make their dream a reality.
The commissioner also commending the league for finding it worthy to come on board said his doors are open and ready for further collaboration.
Garba lamenting the unfavourable condition of those in the profession called on colleagues who are in authority to develop the spirit of ‘being your brothers keeper’ by assisting  their colleagues in the journalism profession.
“I am always at the NUJ Kano. Every Friday if l am in Kano, l will go to NUJ and myself, the Chairman or who ever is there, will trek for about half a kilometer for Friday prayer. When we come back, we sit down, we eat, we discuss issues and l go. You see, l have gone through this profession. I was former NUJ president.
What l learnt in journalism profession is what l am applying now. You see, whatever you are in authority today, is a matter of time especially political appointees. You will go after 4, or 8yrs. Even if you don’t go, you will die. So you have to take life easy.
So in whatever you do, please have the fear of God, and also try and leave a legacy.
I am happy that Governor Ganduje in his magnanimity is putting up a structure of 30 shops for the NUJ council. It is 90% completion.
It will interest you to know that the Hon.  Commission, a man full of human kindness, has added another achievement to his credit. He is a writer and will soon come up with a chronicle on his eight years experience of stewardship.
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