The impact has positively been felt and I can assure you that the absolute peace and tranquility enjoyed in Kano is not by accident. A number of measures taken by this government aimed at ensuring peaceful coexistence have all bear fruits. I am not the only one appointed as special adviser, I am a Yoruba from Ibadan in Oyo State. Two other non-natives, one an Igbo and the other representing the minority groups were all appointed as special advisers. This singular action has done a kind of magic in the search for peace and progress. The three of us are seen by our people as the living example of government’s true desire to accommodate us. Through us, the government can easily reach out to the people and this way, governance becomes easier.

Of course. The non-indigenes now see Kano as their home. We see ourselves as part and parcel of Kano State. We all know that if Kano progresses, we benefit from it and if it burns or retrogresses, we also stew in it. We have no place like Kano because that is where we earn our living. Even the natives, have been made to realise that if non-natives can be appointed to such an enviable position, then the message has been sent that we are part of them, that we are brothers and sisters.

I will confess, however, that Governor Shekarau has been very courageous, innovative and focused. No governor has ever done this and I assure you that it is a masterstroke for a governor in this type of country we live in to be so detribalized as to appoint three non-indigenes into the state executive council. In the past three years, there has never been any communal restiveness in Kano. You know why? Every one in Kano is now fully aware that peace is desirable and that all of us are stakeholders in Kano, working in our various ways to make Kano better. Again Governor Shekarau has made himself very accessible to everyone. The non-indigenes have enjoyed an unprecedented open-door policy. Our people can reach him any time and that singular accessibility has dealt with many problems that could have, ordinarily been misconstrued.

Are the non-indigenes satisfied with the performance of Governor Shekarau?

I want to speak on behalf of the Yoruba community in Kano and in fact all the other communities. This is the first time in the history of Northern Nigeria that non-indigenes are holding executive positions. Check it out, there is no place in the whole of the defunct Northern Nigeria that non-indigenes are so integrated. You can see that a few other states all over the country are copying it, because they know that it is an act of social re-engineering. They have seen it worked in Kano and they want it to work in their states.

Together as indigenes and non indigenes, we have all been empowered to work assiduously towards a common goal. Despite this magnanimity, we are satisfied that Imam Shekarau has transformed Kano State in terms of development in all facets of human endeavour. We are appreciative of this conduct and performance. He has demonstrated the ability to carry everybody along and we would continue to be loyal and supportive to him and his government.

What we in Africa have been running away from is human development, when you don’t develop human being, when you build houses and roads only without correspondingly developing human potentials, then you are just chasing shadows leaving the substance. Apart from posting a five star performance in infrastructure development in roads, hospitals, schools, agriculture, water supply etc., our governor has identified human development as key and central to any effort at achieving sustainable development. In our elementary economics, they will tell you land, labour and entrepreneur. The entrepreneur is to make the three others to work. Land cannot work on its own, nor can you put your money on the table, on its own to generate returns. The same thing on labour. When an entrepreneur come, he will know how to juxtapose these three to bring out the best in them. That is what the Kano State government is doing. If for example you put 100 computers in a room, you need to develop the capacity of the human being to operate them.

If you go to our secondary schools now, it is only this government that has employed over 5000 teachers. The last government sacked non-indigenes. This government reinstated all the qualified teachers that were sacked. It has never happened in Kano State where one government will sack, and another government comes back and takes them back, and up till today, the government is employing people. Our governor believes in human development and he is pursuing it rigorously.

What do you think are the contributions of non -indigenes to the development of commerce in Kano State?

If you know the history of Kano vis-à-vis commerce, it revolves around both the indigenes and the non-indigenes. That is why the trans-saharan trade route passed through Kano. Non-indigenes are an integral part of commerce in Kano and when you talk about buying and selling people come as far as Tchad, Sudan, Niger, the Central African countries and even beyond. Such people, when they come, the hospitality and attraction forced them to settle down here. The Lebanese and people from virtually all over the world find Kano simply inviting and together we make Kano a great place for all. When people call Kano tumbin giwa, they are making reference to its accommodation and large heartedness.

Integration is a continuous process. Non- indigenes have never found it so good in Kano State. This is about the first time a government will recognize them. This is the first time a government will bring them closer. I believe strongly that if re-elected, the government of Malam Ibrahim Shekarau will continue with the policy.

The process of his coming back has already started. He has creditably paid his dues. He has fulfilled all his campaign promises and he has earned the respect of the people of Kano State. This is the first government in the history of northern states having a new dam, apart from the one constructed by Gowon government. All other governments have just been servicing the dam or repairing it. But Governor Shekarau put in close to 7 billion Naira on water alone. The dam is going to be commissioned before May, this year. Water is one of the basic problems facing people in the north. Any government that is able to solve the problem of water has done something worthy of commendation.

You also know that agriculture, which is the main stay of our economy relies on irrigation. This Tamburawa Water Dam will also help our irrigation too and boost the economy. You are also aware that the Shekarau administration, is the only one in the whole of the country, including the federal government that has dealt with the problem of pension. He has been able to pay arrears of over four years. The president could not help but commend the governor for this feat. What they cannot done at the federal level, the governor in Kano is able to do at the state level. Don’t forget that this is a government that is also the most accountable and prudent with scarce resources of the state. We have a governor that is God fearing, so what ever is done here is with the fear of God.

Malam Ibrahim Shekarau is an amiable man. You only need to be closer to him to see his qualities. He does not see himself as a governor. He dealt with people on equal basis. If you are meeting him for the first time, you need to be told that he is the governor. Very humble, unassuming, straight forward and a great lover of people. He is the most accessible governor I have come across. He is an epitome of peace, development, progress and equality.