On Monday, May 29, 2023, His Excellency Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje would bow out, after meritorious service of two successful tenures of eight years as the Executive Governor of Kano state....CONTINUE READING
While I will leave office, too, before then, as a special assistant to the governor on photography, I have to confess that it’s a sweet-bitter experience…..CONTINUE READING
Governor Ganduje has touched many lives including mine. But being loyal and committed has endeared me to the governor, which I am very proud of.
My relationship with Governor Ganduje, which began as a working relation, i.e, principal-subordinate relationship, has affectionately transformed into a fatherly relationship. Governor Ganduje is a great mentor.
On one hand, I am excited that Governor Ganduje has come, seen and conquered. His footprints in infrastructure and human developments ranging from his health and education revolutions to economic development, and transportation reform would continue to adorn the “Centre of Commerce”.
However, I am partly sad because Kano state would miss a patriotic citizen who has sacrificed a lot to take the state to a greater height. Governor Ganduje started at the beginning. He hit the ground running as soon as he was sworn in as the executive governor of Kano State in 2015. He rolled up the sleeves of his shirt and began to work. The result of Governor Ganduje’s acumen is that the state is now a megacity comparable anywhere in the world. Thanks to Baba Ganduje’s ingenuity and his passion for Kano State.
Ganduje had met the Kano project disjointed and disheveled, but within the space of less than eight years he combined various elements of development and perfected the project. Here is Kano towering above its peers. One interesting thing is that the more you interact with Ganduje the more you are schooled in politics, governance and administration and the art of living; most importantly you learn some character-building traits: endurance, courage, patriotism, self-reliance, etc.
What do I know?
I am in a position to speak on the true character of Governor Ganduje, having worked closely with him for many years. Sometimes only sleep separated me from him. I also travelled alongside him to different states of the federation and tapped from his wealth of experience. Ganduje would work round the clock.
Ganduje is a complete gentleman. He is patient as well as accommodating. This is a man you will wrong today. He will forgive tomorrow and forge ahead. And life continues. Taunt Ganduje, he will not raise an eyebrow. Baba Ganduje is a kind of shock absorber. His in-built accommodating nature contributes to the peaceful Kano State.
Religiously, Ganduje is a moralist. Ganduje would consult Islamic clerics before taking any decision, whether in health, economy or education. They are the custodians of public morality and Ganduje holds them in high esteem. Clerics had never been given such pride of place.
Years before he became governor Baba Ganduje had converted thousands of people into the religion of Islam. He organized tens of prayer sessions. I believe this is a continuous project. In the eight years he has spent as the governor, he converted thousands more.
Politics without bitterness
One of the precedents Ganduje set in the eight years he has spent governing Kano state is politics without bitterness. He related well even with members of the opposition parties in the state in specific and in the country at large.
When he was returned as the duly elected governor of the state in 2019 he promised a government of unity and fulfilled that promise by appointing members of opposition parties into key positions.
Ganduje never witch-hunted anybody, despite the humongous infractions committed by the preceding administration. He knows he himself is not infallible. For this he did not waste time in unnecessary vendetta.
However, he completed all the projects he inherited from the previous administration and executed new ones. In terms of infrastructural development in the history of Kano State, Governor Ganduje is second to none.
Between Ganduje and his adversaries
A successful man will never be alone. He attracts friends as well as enemies. Enduring experience, tolerance and friendliness have fetched Ganduje life-long friends from almost every corner of the country.
In another breath, his adversaries are after him for two reasons: Ganduje is a self-made man, meaning he worked assiduously for every inch of his successes. He is a man you can’t silence or intimidate.
Second, his adversaries are afraid that his towering achievements are eclipsing theirs. They want to personalize the state, but Ganduje has his own way.
Here is a governor who would tap you on the back for the same action others would rebuke you.
Ganduje is not mean
Tolerance and empathy described Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje the most. All of the years I have spent under Ganduje I know that he has a good working relationship with his subordinates. His cabinet is the liveliest. He would celebrate and sympathise with each of the members.
As I say goodbye to the people’s governor, I don’t mean this will be the end. I will remain loyal.
As the legendary Mahatma Gandhi said, “There are no goodbyes for us, wherever you are, you will always be in my heart”. So, I only mean may God Almighty be with you Baba as you embark on another phase in your life.
Ahmad is the senior special assistant to Governor Ganduje…..CONTINUE READING
