By Salisu Babangida
21st of October of every year will remain evergreen in minds and hearts of not only Kwankwasiyyya zealots but also progressive politicians across the wider domain being the birthday of one of their own
This is no other person than the Lion, articulator, master of the game,industrious ,jovial the pace setter,the irresistible and above all a man of timber of calibre, Engineer,Doctor, legislator at both Red and Green chambers and former Kano State Chief Executive Officer Engineer Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’
The sixty nine years of Engineer Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’ nicknamed Madugu,Jagora,
maitakalmin karfe Ko wa ka taka ya taku in view of his composure , doggedness and charisma, were full of eventualities right from when he ventured into politics going by how his adventure into the game benefitted the children of the downtrodden members of the society in attaining lucrative positions in public offices through his visionary programmes and policies
This was glaring going by how they were gainfully employed in public outfits hence became respectful and useful members of their different communities
The sojourn of the celebrant a graduate of Water Engineering from the famous Kaduna Polytechnic started as early as when he was elected Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives during the botched SDP/NRC era of the General Ibrahim Babangida’s administration
Later during the fourth Republic, he joined the Peoples Democratic party where he won the Governorship seat of the state on two different occasions the first to do so in the history of the state
This knowingly or unknowingly marked his blossoming popularity into the political game as his people centred initiatives were so endearing to the larger domain within the shortest possible time as people in view of their rationality could easily judge you by your by actions not words
These actions that made the leader of Kwankwasiyyya Movement and Presidential Candidate of the NNPP so lovable to the wider domain
The people oriented policies and programmes comprise Five kilometre Road Projects across semi urban areas ,skills acquisition initiatives, foreign scholarship schemel, one thousand youth employment scheme in which the beneficiaries most of them have now attained pole position in Government establishments including permanent secretaryship and Directorship
The rest encompass the establishment of corporate security institute , likewise Kano Roads and Transport Agency otherwise called KAROTA and Housing estates comprising Kwankwasiyyya,Amana and Bandirawo
Although such initiatives courtesy of the visionary leader and former minister of Defence were many and uncountable but one could not forget Kano University of Science and Technology Wudil , likewise Northwest University in the metropolis, CAS Tudun Wada, College of Education Tsanyawa, College of Environmental Studies Gwarzo , beside host of other institutions across the semi urban localities built based on the fact that no society will attain progression when it members are not learned
Certainly I will not be mistaken if I described the former Governor and Senator as one of the most celebrated politicians of this time going by his exemplary ideals aimed at liberating the commoners from the manacles of ignorance , idleness and poverty
It is grateful of note that while speaking at a gathering on the historic occasion, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf described his political mentor as a classical example to follow a bridge builder a navigator and a consummate gentle man who he said will never regrets joining hand with him aimed at ensuring a smooth and holistic environment
Similarly his Deputy Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo also described the celebrant as a dependable actor, righteous, incorruptible , architect of infrastructural development and to sum it up a leader per excellence
Definitely as he attained such years on earth he has directly or indirectly attained his peak in the field and no one could predict what the future could look like as a wise word says it is not over until it is over and only God knows tomorrow and definitely as legendary Bob Marley says is only time will tell
In this note, Honourable Commssioner Youth and Sports Development Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso extend our undiluted greetings to the game changer ,Emancipator ,Liberator courageous , considerate illustrious and advantageous son of the community who within a short span renewed the map of the ancient city through the execution of capital intensive projects like fly over bridges which beautified the second most vibrant city nationwide
We also pray the political activist more health,wealth of experience, followers , additional popularity and the shield against hidden and unhidden adversaries as well as more grease to his elbows and many years of happy return
Happy birthday Jagora
Director Public Enlightenment
Ministry of Youth and Sports Development
