How Historic 33rd Memorial Lecture of Malam Aminu Kano Pans Out, By Rabiu Shamma

The Malam Aminu Kano 33rd memorial lecture today was indeed marvellously held at Mambayya, House in Kano. The lecture brought together wide range of people from politicians, academics, students, artisans, former adherents of Malam in both NEPU and PRP and of course the common people that Malam Aminu fought for when he was alive, the ‘Talakawa’.

The 500 capacity theatre of Sa’adu Zungur at Mambayya or the Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Research and Training was filled to the brim, many people could only stand while others were outside as they could not gain access to the main venue. Dignitaries that graced the lecture include the Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, the deputy governor of Kano State Professor Hafiz Abubakar, who also represented the governor of the state Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, he also chaired the session, Professor Dandatti Abdulqadir, Professor A. A. Rashid, Professor Mustapha Ahmad Isah Vice Chancellor NorthWest University, Kano, Dr Nasir Fagge the ASUU president among other countless professors and doctors. Others include Dr Junaidu Muhammad, Hajia Naja’atu Muhammad, AVM Mukhtar etc.

After the opening prayer for Malam Aminu Kano and welcome remark by Bayero University Vice Chancellor, Professor Yahuza Bello, the stage was taken over by the radical scholar of history at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Professor Sule Bello, he presented with  both alacrity and vibrancy on “Malam Aminu Kano’s politics, a Road Map for Social, Political and Economic Change in Nigeria”. The paper was on the efforts of Malam Aminu on the liberation of the people, he said Malam Aminu was such an exemplary politician that struggled and sacrificed everything for the people, he therefore urged for governments and schools to ensure the history of people like Malam Aminu and Sardauna is taught in our schools which will go a long way to inculcate the spirit of service to young people. He also commended some people that had direct contact with Malam as having done well compared to their contemporaries, these include Sule Lamido of Jigawa and Umaru Yar’adua of Katsina and Kwankwaso of Kano.

The second paper was presented by  Barr. Solomon Dalung, Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports, who was represented by his Senior Special Adviser, Malam Maiwada Dammalam, the paper titled “Consolidating Democracy in Nigeria through the Anti-Corruption Strategy” centred on the effort of the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari on the anti corruption fight, he identified Malam Aminu Kano was a building foundation for fighting corruption in the history of Nigeria through his fearless confrontation with the authorities to ensure accountability and probity of public resources and the way he set examples of  what a true public servant should be, that is why Malam never amassed wealth in his life unlike what is obtained in some public servants today.

The paper of Professor Sule Bello however, elicited various responses from the audience, one of which is from member of the house of representatives Malam Sani Zorro, he disagreed with the Professor on what he regarded as achievements of former governor of Jigawa, Alhaji Sule Lamido, he said Sule never deemed it fit to name any edifice after Malam and that he has since dumped the ideals of Malam Aminu Kano.

Hajia Naja’atu Muhammad also spoke briefly, she said that she grew up as a NEPU member right from their house, she also accused academics of having perpetrating injustice in universities but they want people to believe they are fighting it outside. She called on all at  individual level to ensure they emulate Malam Aminu Kano, she also called on Nigerians to shun money politics as that is the root of our bad leaders.

On his part the ASUU national President, Dr Nasir Fagge asked professor Sule Bello to comment on the effort of some governments to return massive collection of taxes from the people which Malam Aminu was known to have fought against during his time, he also challenge Hajia Naja’atu Muhammad to name any institution that she knows perpetrates such evils, he vowed to ensure their punishment as the ASUU president.

Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina also tried to show his affiliation to the politics of Malam Aminu Kano, he said  that the participants should not deviate from the purpose of the gathering, which was to learn from the politics of Malam Aminu Kano, he cautioned that good people as well as bad people are found in any political party, he said people most desist from passing blames as leadership and justice starts with every individual. He also called on Mambayya House to ensure they organise more symposiums for young people to learn about Malam Aminu Kano not only through the annual lecture and also create a small text book for young children that could be used in primary schools and secondary schools.

On his part the chairman and Deputy of Governor of Kano State, Professor Hafiz Abubakar said he was disappointed with the remarks of ASUU president, he said people are aware of the challenges faced by their government, so he shouldn’t generalise on issue of tax or improving internally generated revenue (IGR)of the state, he cited example of Lagos that generates more than 20 billion every month through IGR and recently Edo under a fellow Comrade generating 2 billion every month while Kano is still struggling to generate a billion naira every month. He emphasised that with the dwindling revenue from oil from the Federal government, they have no option than to diversify so that they can deliver for the people of Kano. He commended the politics of Malam Aminu Kano, he said that he believes that Malam was partly influenced by the kind of upbringing he had right from home, so he encouraged all parents to give their children high moral upbringing to make them appreciate humanity, he also called on media houses especially radio houses in Kano to sanitise their political programs which he believes serves as avenues for insults among political rivals.

After the vote of thanks by Director of Mambayya, Professor Haruna Wakili, the event closed with a prayer for the repose of the soul of Malam Aminu Kano. May Allah rest his soul, Amin.

Rabiu Shamma,
Chairman, Kano Youth Coalition for Advocacy and Development (KAYCAD) and a grand disciple of Malam Aminu Kano.
17/04/2016.
Rabiu Shamma.
Kano Youth Coalition for Advocacy and Development-KAYCAD
www.rabiushamma.blogspot.com
+2347035504982, +2348050238616.