There are three kinds of politicians in Kano politics: i- those for the liberation of the masses; ii- those against the liberation of the masses and iii- those who pretend to be for, while they, subtly, work against the liberation of the masses.
The first kind of politicians comprises of the people who are principled and consistent, in their politics. They, always, have common man and his welfare at heart. One always finds them fighting for the betterment of the masses. They are always seen angry because of the ignoble condition, they see the masses in.
The second kind of politicians are the direct opposite of the first kind, above; they neither like nor care for the betterment and plights of the masses. All they care for is their personal interest and that of their first family. They are the ones, referred to, by some people, as "men of timber, calibre and caterpillar"; the ones that His Excellency late Muhammad Abubakar Rimi of the blessed memory would have termed in Nigerian political parlance as "political rogues and chop-chop elements".
The third kind consists of political hypocrites; those that will promise the masses heavens and earth, in order to gain the confidence of the masses, and cheat them afterwards. They use what is most dear to the masses like, religion or Shari'ah as a facade to deceive, cheat, steal, convert and misappropriate people's resources.
If one critically analyses the works and achievements of the Present administration, within one year of its inception/return, under the able leadership of His Excellency, the incumbent governor of our dear State (Kano), Engr. (Dr.) Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, one would readily place this administration in the first category or kind of politicians, mentioned above.
Within one year of its inception/return, this administration has achieved what many other administrations could not achieve in eight years. In just a quarter of its tenure, the administration has performed wonders in improving the general welfare of Kanawas. This could be the reason why some people term the first year as; "a quarter of good redemption".
The administration has returned the long lost youth's confidence, in government. The leader of the administration brought back the abandoned youth empowerment programmes; "lafiya jari",etc; youth were trained and given capital to start their own businesses. Some youth were employed to serve as traffic assistants, in order to help the police traffic division, in its efforts to decongest and control traffic congestion, for a smooth flow of traffic, in the State. This amounts to killing two birds with a stone; youth are employed, thereby alleviating the culture of idling; and the State's traffic congestion is controlled.
In terms of education the administration has returned the uniform provision and feeding programme of primary school pupils; it renovated and constructed many other institutions. This could, vividly, be seen in re-fencing of many of the State higher institutions of learning; institutions like Sa'adatu Rimi College of Education, Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies, Kano University of Science and Technology, etc, were and are still being renovated and re-fenced; additional lecture halls were and are still are being constructed in some, to enable a convinient and conducive atmosphere, for learning, in our institutions. In the same vain, another State university is under construction, presently; the North West University; this further denotes the administration's concern for education, in the State.
This administration wishes to democratize education by making it available to all and sundry in, both quantity and quality. It is rest assured that given the necessary cooperation the administration could evolve a system that would include the almajiris and urban poor that cannot be wished away. There is a co-realation between education and development; and it is only by educating the youth that they can begin to be productive, and by so doing, Kano State shall grow the middle class needed to sustain economic growth.
The recent conduct, of the administration, is highly remarkable, impressive and commendable. Recently, the administration gave-out, in marriage, and shouldered the responsibility of providing 100 unmarried women, with necessary domestic utensils; in addition, the administration gave, to each bride, the sum of N20,000 as capital, to start a small business; so that the brides should not over-depend solely, on the grooms. This, vividly, denotes the administration's resolve to eradicate the scourge of moral bankruptcy (immorality) from the midst of the people of Kano State, particularly, the youth; and this, further, denotes the administration's concern for women empowerment.
From the few foregoing and many more others, not mentioned here, one can, easily, infer that this administration is an administration that is bent on eradicating the sycophancy and dependency culture, innovated by some mischievous administrations, in the past. Many Kano State people see the present administration of Kano State government, as an administration that sees leadership as an opportunity to serve Allah and the people, particularly, the masses; and not as an avenue to amass wealth and other resources for personal aggrandisement. Hence they are optimistic that the administration would continue to serve them a good leadership, as it has already begun.
Kano people are happy with the demystified leadership, being displayed by the present administration; a leadership that serves the people with genuine fear of Allah, not the leadership that uses religion as a facade to deceive, cheat and misappropriate people's resources; a leadership that understands the significant role of education in our overall developmental desires and needs; a leadership that shows respect for the dignity of the people it serves, and shows sympathy, empathy and understanding to their plights, and makes deliberate effort to improve their lots; not the leadership that promotes arrogance and foolish behaviour; a leadership that is honest, forthright, transparent and accountable to the people; a leadership that respects the views, feelings and aspirations of the people, and upholds the rules that govern their affairs; a leadership that is just, bold and visionary; a leadership that can harness and galvanise the energy of the people, particularly, the youth for progress and development of the society.
It is heart-warming to note that the present administration has, now, become more determined and focused on the new vision of moving Kano State and its inhabitants away from the abyss of penury, hunger, disease, illiteracy, underdevelopment and socio-cultural backwardness. There is a ray of hope that given the collective desire and resolve, this administration would bring Kano State back to the track again, so that the State could live to the glory and admiration of its founding fathers and the future generations to come. Kano State people wish the administration happy one year anniversary; and wish it a best of luck, in its future endeavour!
Idris, is a staff of Triumph Publishing Company.