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Senator Jibrin Barau: Why He is North West’s Most Important Political Force
Senator Jibrin Barau:
Why He is North West’s Most Important Political Force by Tayo Williams
_“Senator Jibrin is a steady and stabilising force in the Senate and beyond. He is blessed with the moral authority and rare ability to put an issue on the national agenda that wouldn’t naturally be there. Although he may not be getting the desired coverage or recognition for his legislative, political, and social interventions, the deputy senate president has mastered the art of being relevant in the centre and indispensable at home.”_
The Northwest, Nigeria’s most populous geopolitical zone with over 22 million registered voters, is the coveted ‘bride’ for all presidential aspirants. According to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, three states in the region – Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina – rank among the top 10 in the list of states with the highest number of registered voters. Kano State, number two on the list behind Lagos, has 5,921,370 registered voters. Kaduna and Katsina have 4,335,208 and 3,516,719 registered voters respectively. The closest to it is the southwest with about 18million registered voters.
The gulf is, indeed, wide and almost unassailable.
During the last presidential election, the northwest gave President Bola Ahmed Tinubu 2.7 million votes – the highest by any region. Even in the southwest, Tinubu’s traditional political base, he could only poll 2,279,407 votes. From the five southeast states, he got a measly 127,605 votes and did not score 25 percent in any of them. The South-South’s 799,957 votes contributed nine percent to the APC’s total votes.
Though it is still early in the day, sustaining influence and popularity in the northwest will be critical to the survival of the APC in the next electoral cycle. Former President Muhammadu Buhari, a Katsina native, is the singular most formidable political figure from the region. However, his legendary aloofness to party politics is a deal-breaker. And after serving out his two-term presidency, he has been ‘far from the madding crowd’ of party nay Nigerian politics. Though he still has a cult following in the north, his reluctance to participate in any electioneering will not help the party.
Conversely, Nasir El-Rufai, the immediate past governor of Kaduna State, would have been the natural successor to Buhari’s political leadership in the region. However, the fractious El-Rufai has left the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the Social Democratic Party. Kano State, with the highest number of registered votes behind Lagos, is a major battleground considering the popularity of the Rabiu Kwankwaso-led NNPP, which inflicted considerable damage on the APC in the last elections.
This is where Senator Barau Jibrin, deputy senate president, comes in.
Senator Jibrin is the highest-ranking APC Senator in the North-West region. An understated force of nature with admirable charisma and eloquence, Barau has been in the National Assembly since the dawn of the Fourth Republic starting as a member of the House of Representatives representing the good people of Tarauni Federal Constituency of Kano State from 1999 to 2003.
A thoroughbred, successful accountant, he chaired the Appropriations Committee and served as a member of others. After his first legislative odyssey, Jibrin returned to his private practice, but not for long, as he was tapped to serve as chairman of the Kano State Investment and Properties Ltd and, later, Commissioner of Science and Technology. He is a foundation member of the APC on which platform he contested and won the Kano North Senatorial District seat in 2015. This is his third term as a senator, and he was the only APC senator in 2023 from Kano, as the other two seats were won by the NNPP, a testament to his formidable political acumen and grassroots appeal. But for political expediency, he would have been the Senate president.
Having won the Kano North senatorial seat three consecutive times, there is no controverting that Jibrin has excelled as a legislator and, therefore, comes well-acquitted to help the APC reclaim Kano, and provide the leadership crucial for the success of the party in the region. Indeed, the president needs not to look far for who to lead the charge in the northwest; that is a role that has naturally fallen on the lap of Senator Jibrin.
Cerebral and controversy-free, Senator Jibrin is a steady and stabilising force in the Senate and beyond. He is blessed with the moral authority and rare ability to put an issue on the national agenda that wouldn’t naturally be there. Although he may not be getting the desired coverage or recognition for his legislative, political, and social interventions, the deputy senate president has mastered the art of being relevant in the centre and indispensable at home.
Assertive, but never abrasive, Jibrin is a man whose thinking has often proved to be ahead of the curve. He was the brain behind the North West Development Commission to address gaps in infrastructural development in the region, which has now been replicated in other regions. He also supported and sponsored a bill to build the Federal University of Education Technology in Bichi, Kano State, and the Federal Polytechnic Kabo, where his father was born.
While other politicians are engaged in a never-ending race to amass riches to guarantee eternally their obscene residence in their snug life of luxury and privilege, Senator Jibrin strives to spread joy daily among kith and kin, and the next needy family on the block. Evidence of his amazing compassion and superior culture of philanthropy abound everywhere in the region whether in education, agriculture, health, and youth empowerment. He is there when the people need him.
The ranking senator recognises the role that fate has inadvertently thrust upon him and he has been playing the part pretty well by reaching out to opposition politicians and convincing them that the APC needs them. Recently, he hosted a strategic meeting with the former Secretary to the Kano State Government, Dr. Abdullahi Baffa Bichi, and other NNPP stalwarts, including the former Commissioner for Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Muhammad Diggol, in his Abuja residence.
Jibrin said, “We had fruitful discussions with them on the development of our dear state and the country. The development of our state and the country is always at the top of our agenda. We will continue to collaborate with other stakeholders to advance our state and the nation. Let’s do it together to better the lots of our people.” For him, it is about Kano and Nigeria, not any self-serving purpose.
Indeed, there is no clear-cut path to greatness in politics. It requires a special kind of talent that is rare in today’s politicians, but which Senator Jibrin embodies in large quantity. For the APC to make any headway in the northwest in the next general election, it would need, most importantly, Senator Jibrin, leading the charge.
_*-Williams is a Lagos-based media executive*_
UNITED KINGDOM OF ATLANTIS ANNOUNCES HISTORIC SUCCESS:
Premiere of ATC Digital Currency Exchange System Test, Highlighting “Gold Standard” for Humanitarian Purposes*
The Attica Empire, under the distinguished leadership of Empress Nobilisa Prof Sriwan kingjun, Empress of Attica Empire, successfully conducted a groundbreaking premiere test of its ATC (Attica Coin) digital currency exchange system. The event brought together high-ranking leaders and representatives from various nations to witness a spectacular celebration of financial innovation.
### Key Highlights of the ATC Digital Currency Exchange System Test
– The test demonstrated the efficiency and robustness of the ATC digital financial infrastructure, marking a significant milestone for Atlantis United Kingdom.
– Participants who completed the Know Your Customer (KYC) process in accordance with international standards were able to fully exchange ATC coins, thereby strengthening global confidence among currency holders.
– The ATC digital currency is positioned as the world’s first digital asset anchored to the *“Gold Standard”*, with its value guaranteed and validated through gold under certification by the International Court of Justice.
– The primary mission of the ATC currency is to fund humanitarian projects and drive macro-level social development, aligning with the empire’s vision of sustainable global impact.
### Event Atmosphere & Leadership Vision
The premiere was attended by thousands of guests who celebrated in an atmosphere of friendship, featuring:
– A concert performed by leading musical bands.
– A lavish reception of food and drink showcasing the empire’s prosperity and readiness.
– *Emperor Solomon Winning*, ruler of the United Kingdom of Atlantis and a thought leader in future-oriented projects, was celebrated as the transformative force reshaping traditional finance into a future-oriented model.
– Emperor Winning emphasized that the ATC system inaugurates a new, sustainable, and humanitarian economic framework.
*Quotes from Leadership*
_”The ATC digital currency is not just a financial innovation; it is a beacon of hope for global humanitarian efforts. We are committed to leveraging this technology to uplift communities and foster sustainable development.”_
— *Empress Nobilisa Sriwan Kingjun*
_”With the ATC Gold Standard, we are setting a new paradigm in digital finance—one that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and the greater good.”_
— *Emperor Solomon Winning*
Attica Empire is the pioneering force behind the digital economy of the United Kingdom of Atlantis. It focuses on developing secure, asset-backed FinTech solutions to support global usage and worldwide humanitarian efforts.
The ATC Digitalcurrency (Attica Coin) is a gold-backed digital asset designed to:
1. Provide a transparent and efficient medium of exchange.
2. Fund humanitarian initiatives and social development programs.
3. Set a new benchmark for asset-backed cryptocurrencies worldwide.
The Attica Empire remains committed to advancing innovative financial systems that empower global humanitarian projects and foster sustainable economic growth. The success of the ATC digital currency exchange system test paves the way for broader adoption and integration into global financial ecosystems.
### Upcoming Initiatives
– *Global Roadshow:* Attica Empire will embark on a worldwide tour to introduce the ATC digital currency to key financial hubs and international organizations.
– *Humanitarian Partnerships:* Collaborations with NGOs and global institutions to channel ATC funds into pressing social development projects.
– *Technological Advancements:* Continuous enhancement of the ATC platform to ensure scalability, security, and user-centric features.
The Attica Empire invites global stakeholders to join this transformative journey toward a more equitable and sustainable financial future.
Life Patron Gen. Buratai Congratulates Newly Elected Lady Captain of TYBGRCC
ABUJA – The Tukur Yusufu Buratai Golf Resort and Country Club (TYBGRCC) has ushered in a new era of leadership with the election of Ms. Jumai Hajara Adamu as its Lady Captain.
The club’s Life Patron, Lt Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai (Rtd) CFR, former Chief of Army Staff, has extended his warm congratulations and full endorsement. “As the Life Patron, I am immensely proud to see a leader of your calibre step forward,” he stated. “Please be assured of my full and unwavering support throughout your tenure. I have every confidence that your leadership will be marked by significant achievements.”
The election, conducted by the club’s Board of Trustees and membership, highlights a unanimous confidence in Ms. Adamu’s vision and dedication to the sport and the club’s community.
In her acceptance address, the newly elected Lady Captain outlined a forward-looking agenda anchored on three key pillars: Unity, Development, and Inclusiveness. “I believe that golf is not just a sport but a powerful platform for friendship, discipline, mentorship, and community,” she stated, pledging to strengthen member bonds, encourage greater participation among ladies and youth, and enhance the club’s facilities.
Ms. Jumai Hajara Adamu, a respected member known for her active participation and organizational acumen, succeeds a line of distinguished past Lady Captains. She has pledged to build upon their legacy with transparency, teamwork, and accountability, ensuring every member feels heard and represented.
This appointment is seen as a significant step for the TYBGRCC, reinforcing its commitment to excellence, growth, and fostering a vibrant sporting community in the heart of the nation’s capital. The club anticipates a dynamic and prosperous term under her guidance.
About Tukur Yusufu Buratai Golf Resort and Country Club (TYBGRCC):
Located in Abuja, TYBGRCC is a premier golfing destination dedicated to promoting the sport of golf, fostering camaraderie, and encouraging a healthy lifestyle among its members and guests. It stands as a testament to world-class sporting and recreational facilities.
NAWOJ: SEKINAT, CHARITY GETS VOTE OF CONFIDENCE
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists,(NAWOJ), Ogun State Chapter Executives has unanimously passed a vote of confidence on Chairman NAWOJ SEKINAT Salam and the Financial Secretary, Charity James, saying that, their leadership reflect the ideal and objectives of NAWOJ.
This was revealed in a communique issued at an Emergency meeting of the Executive held at the NUJ State Council, Iwe-Iroyin in Abeokuta.
The vote of confidence on the Leadership of NAWOJ was unanimously signed by all the five executive members that attended the meeting with the vice chairperson taking apology for official engagement outside the state capital.
According to the communique ” Consequently, NAWOJ Ogun State Chapter, reaffirms it’s unwavering support and confidence in the Chairperson and the Financial Secretary, Sekinat Salam and Charity James respectively, Urge them to continue in their commitment to purposeful leadership in the best interest of the association and the society at large”.
Speaking briefly with Journalists after the emergency Executive meeting, the Chairperson, Nigeria Association of Woman Journalists (NAWOJ), Com. Sekinat Salam, said the meeting was necessary as the news of her suspension was laughable and insulting because it is like a pot calling a kettle black in this case, saying that the Leadership of the State Council, Com. Wale Olanrewaju has no local standing to suspend her or any executive member, even he cannot be a judge in his own case.
According to her” The Leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ogun State led by Wale Olanrewaju has always been misusing power without recourse to the constitution of this noble Union, hence has no local standing to suspend me or any executive member “.
She said only the Central Working Committee (CWC) has the constitutional rights to sanction or suspend any members found wanting after due process has been followed.
While calling on members to stay calm, Com. Sekinat Salam assured members of positive representation of NAWOJ at both the State and National level, adding the success recorded under her administration cannot be overemphasized.
She therefore called on the National leadership of NUJ to critically look into the matter, either by setting up independent committee to investigate the issues and resolve the matter as quickly as possible.
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