By Ibrahim Siraj Adhama
A prominent Kano elder statesman, business mogul and philanthropist, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, has described late Audu Bako as the best governor ever in the country. Dantata was speaking at a book presentation as one of the only two surviving members of Audu Bako’s cabinet, the other being Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, who was absent due to health challenges.
The book titled “Kano State Under the Administration of Audu Bako, 1967 – 1975” was written by Dr A’isha Ni’ima Shehu of the Department of History, Bayero University, Kano.
Alhaji Dantata, who served as Audu Bako’s Commissioner of Economic Planning, said Kano owed its development to the purposeful and visionary leadership of late Audu Bako, whom he described as honest, foresighted, God-fearing and prudent in the application of resources. He said if all leaders were like Audu Bako, Nigeria would have long passed its current level of economic development.
Blaming external influence for Nigeria’s slow development, the elder statesman stated that the country would have been better if it were to be allowed to develop at its natural pace. He added that Northern Nigeria is much more endowed with natural and mineral resources than the Southern part of the country. However, he bemoaned how those resources remained largely untapped.
The book reviewer, Dr Tijjani Naniya, commended the author for writing the book. He said it contains an assessment of Audu Bako’s laudable achievements in education, infrastructure, administration and economic development.
Extolling the man he dubbed as a lover of education and agriculture, Dr Naniya said Audu Bako’s projects are too numerous to mention. He identified Tiga and Bagauda dams, Gidan Murtala, Audu Bako Secretariat, Kano Zoological Garden, Bagauda Lake Hotel, Murtala Mohammed Way, Falgore Game Reserve, Daula Hotel as some of the projects done by Audu Bako.
He mentioned others include Kundila and Gwammaja Housing Estates, WRECA, and hundreds of primary and post-primary schools. He said when late Audu Bako established the College of Arts, Sciences and Remedial Sciences, alias CAS; many governors emulated him by establishing similar colleges in their states.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor, Bayero University, Kano, Professor Sagir Abbas, who hosted the event, said the University was always willing to be part of similar scholarly efforts aimed at preserving history for upcoming leaders.
Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Isyaku Umar Tofa, who was also one of the youngest staff of Audu Bako, said the first military governor approached leadership with great determination and that no honour can compensate for what late Audu Bako did for Kano.
On his part, Kano state governor Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje announced a donation of ₦10m and pledged to support the reproduction of more book copies for use by schools and libraries in the state. He lauded the visionary leadership of the first-ever Kano state governor. He commended him for the numerous projects he undertook, many of which are not only still in use but have continued to serve as the foundation for many developmental projects up to this moment.
Other donors include Alhaji Aminu Dantata with ₦5m and another ₦15m to the family to do a project in Audu Bako’s memory.
The event attracted participants from among members of the academia, politicians, traditional rulers, business community, media, as well as members of late Audu Bako’s family.