Barau I jibrin

By Anwar Usman

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, visited the Bunkure Local Government Area of Kano State on Wednesday to offer his condolences and financial support to the families of the 16 travelers who were lynched in Uromi, Esan North East LGA of Edo State.

The DSP met with the grieving families, hailing from Bunkure, Kibiya, Rano, and Garko LGAs, at the At-Taqwa Mosque in Sabon Fegi, Bunkure LGA.

Together with the Senate Deputy President were the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, the Managing Director of the North West Development Commission, Professor Abdullahi Shehu Ma’aji, and other dignitaries.

This was disclosed in a statement released by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Deputy President of the Senate, Ismail Mudashir, and made available to journalists.

Barau assured the families of the victims that justice would be served and reiterated that the perpetrators would face the full wrath of the law.

He further stated that, in addition to the previously apprehended 14 suspects, two more individuals had been arrested in connection with the killings.

To ease the families’ hardships, Senator Barau announced a donation of N1 million to each of the 16 bereaved families, totaling N16 million.

The statement in part reads, “I am here to express my deepest sympathies for the tragic incident that claimed the lives of 16 of our brothers last Thursday. May Allah grant them Jannatul Firdaus and provide swift recovery to those injured,” Senator Barau stated.

“The incident deeply troubled me. I immediately contacted the state governor, security agencies, and all relevant stakeholders. They acted promptly, leading to the arrest of 14 suspects initially and, subsequently, two more. The state governor, who visited me in Abuja, has assured me of the state government’s support,” he added.

Earlier, the Chief Imam of the area, Sheik Zainul Abidina Auwal, while speaking on behalf of the families, expressed gratitude to Senator Barau for his efforts in pursuing justice and lauded him as a leader vital for the nation’s progress

By Uzair Adam 

The Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin, has received prominent members of the Kwankwasiyya Ulama Forum and other political groups into the All Progressives Congress (APC).  

Jibrin, in a post on his verified social media handle on Saturday, announced that Malam Yahaya Abdulkadir Aliyu, Secretary of the Kwankwasiyya Ulama Forum, alongside 23 executive members, had officially joined the APC.  

Similarly, Mahbub Nuhu Wali, a relative of Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, also defected to the ruling party.  

During their Friday visit to Jibrin at the National Assembly, the new APC members removed their symbolic red caps associated with the Kwankwasiyya Movement. 

From his office, they accompanied him to the A-Class Event Centre, where they joined a coalition of Atiku Abubakar’s 2023 election support groups from across the 19 Northern states.  

Following the event, APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, formally welcomed the defectors into the party.  

Among those who joined were Mahmoud Salisu Gwale and Farouk Ahmed Gwale, two chieftains of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) from the Gwale Local Government Area of Kano State.  

While welcoming the new members, Jibrin reiterated his commitment to serving the people of Kano North Senatorial District and beyond, regardless of political affiliations.  

“As Deputy Senate President, I want to emphasise that I’m a senator for all. Regardless of your political affiliation—whether PDP, LP, Kwankwasiyya, or APGA—I am here for you.  

“My doors are open to all. If you wish to join our party, the APC, the people’s party, you are welcome. The more, the merrier!” he stated.

By Uzair Adam  

On Sunday, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, distributed 61 cars and 1,137 motorcycles to leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State.  

The distribution, held at Meena Event Centre on Lugard Road near the Kano State Government House, was attended by key party stakeholders, including the APC National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.  

The vehicles and motorcycles were allocated to party chairmen in the 44 local government areas and 484 wards of the state as part of efforts to strengthen the APC’s grassroots structure.  

Speaking at the event, the Kano State APC Chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, lauded Barau for consistently supporting the party since the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) took over the state in 2023. 

He emphasized that ahead of the 2027 elections, aspirants would be assessed based on their contributions to the party’s development.  

Similarly, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Rep. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, expressed confidence in the APC’s resurgence, predicting that the NNPP would be defeated before 1 p.m. on election day in 2027.  

In his remarks, APC National Chairman Dr Ganduje commended Barau for the initiative, describing it as a step towards consolidating the party and improving the livelihoods of its members. 

He also highlighted the increasing defections from the NNPP to the APC, suggesting that the opposition party’s influence in Kano was waning.  

Senator Barau, while addressing the gathering, described the empowerment initiative as just the beginning of a broader program targeting various sectors, including youths, students, farmers, women, traders, and clerics. 

He reaffirmed his commitment to expanding the initiative and urged continued support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.  

He noted that Tinubu’s policies were beginning to yield positive results, citing the gradual reduction in fuel prices, stabilization of the Naira, and improvements in food prices.  

“This is just the tip of the iceberg. We will empower all spheres of society. Let’s continue to support Mr. President for the success of his programs,” Barau said.

By Nura Abdullahi Bagwai Esq.

The recent recognition from the Senate Press Corps has highlighted Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin’s extraordinary legislative achievements, as he leads the 10th National Assembly with an impressive record of 21 private member bills within just 18 months.

This remarkably unprecedented feat has earned him the Highest Development Driven Bills Sponsorship Award, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s advancement through legislative excellence.

Senator Jibrin’s legislative portfolio showcases a comprehensive approach to national development, with bills spanning crucial sectors such as education, infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and technological advancement. As the Senator representing Kano North Senatorial District, his crowning achievement came with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s this year’s assent to the North West Development Commission Bill, establishing a vital institution for regional development.

In a significant development, the Commission has been allocated over 500 billion Naira to facilitate rapid transformation across the entire North West region. The breadth of Senator Jibrin’s legislative initiatives reflects his deep understanding of Nigeria’s contemporary challenges. His sponsorship of two bills, the amendment of the Agricultural Research Council Act and the Renewable Energy Bill of 2024 demonstrate his forward-thinking approach to food security and sustainable energy development.

Meanwhile, the Occupational Safety and Health Bill, 2024, underscores his dedication to protecting Nigerian workers’ welfare, whilst the National Identity Management Commission (Repeal & Enactment) Bill, 2024, reveals his grasp of digital infrastructure’s importance in modern governance.

Education stands as the bedrock of Senator Jibrin’s transformative agenda, evident not only through his legislative accomplishments but also through his initiatives.

Demonstrating his profound commitment to nurturing future leaders, the Barau I. Jibrin Foundation recently launched an ambitious scholarship programme, sponsoring 70 promising students from Kano State to study postgraduate courses like Forensic and Robotic Sciences, Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security at renowned international institutions. These scholars received comprehensive support packages, including laptops and essential study materials, embodying his belief in equipping young Nigerians with the tools they need to excel in global academia.

His parliamentary efforts have significantly expanded educational access across Northern Nigeria, notably through the establishment of Federal Polytechnic Kabo and the historic transformation of Federal College of Education, Kano, into Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano.
His dedication to constitutional reform is evident through multiple Constitution Alteration Bills, suggesting a profound understanding of the systemic changes needed to advance Nigeria’s democratic journey. The Government Performance and Accountability Bill, 2024, further demonstrates his commitment to fostering transparency and effective governance.

What distinguishes Senator Jibrin’s approach is not merely the quantity of bills sponsored, but their strategic focus on key developmental challenges. The Development Planning and Project Continuity Bill, 2023, for instance, addresses one of Nigeria’s persistent challenges: the abandonment of projects following governmental changes. Similarly, his attention to cyber security through the Cyber Crimes (Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill, 2023, demonstrates foresight in safeguarding Nigeria’s digital future.

As Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin exemplifies that effective leadership in the legislature requires more than holding a position – it demands a proactive approach to addressing national challenges through well-considered legislative actions. His records position him as a pivotal figure in shaping Nigeria’s development agenda, particularly in the northern region.

The impact of Senator Jibrin’s legislative work extends far beyond mere statistics. Each bill represents a carefully considered response to specific national challenges, from environmental protection to economic development, from educational advancement to technological innovation.

As Nigeria continues to navigate complex developmental challenges, leaders like Senator Jibrin demonstrate that dedicated legislative work can serve as a powerful catalyst for national transformation.

Bar. Nura Abdullahi Bagwai is a Legal Practitioner and Politician. He wrote from Kano, Nigeria.