Looking back over the years, one would agree, governance and politics had taken center stage in public and private discourses quite animatedly in the country. Retrospectively, the situation was a bit different, but now it has become a norm, at all levels.
Daily, citizens are increasingly getting more conscious of their political environment, which includes political participation, scrutiny of public policies and programs. Significantly, this rise was unconnected with the global trend of technology and ICT.
Remarkably, citizens are begining to make concise attempt at holding leaders accountable on the basis of their words, policies, action and inactions. We have witnessed an increased level of political awareness, to the point people don’t get unnecessarily complacent and aloof. The siddon-look approach, or sitting on the fence is getting into oblivion, paving way for a great awakening in the entire electoral process. That is commendable, because we need to reflect on public policies in order to achieve dividends of democracy.
And to this end, I have intrinsically developed what I refer to as “Citizens and Issue-based Approach” which captures, among many things my manifestos, programs, policies and roadmap, some of which I shall be sharing with you here.
For centuries, Kano is historically the melting point for many things — Trade, Politics, Religion and governance. These landmarks were to later shape and consolidate Kano’s footprint on national and transnational geopolitics. Being the most populous state in the country, it dictates socio-economic pulse of the nation. The population and composition of Kano has so far remained her greatest asset.
Building an informed population is key to developing a world class and enduring economy. Take for instance China, the Asian nation was able to harness its population by building one of the most enviable economies the world reckons with and make its mark as a global hegemony.
It is plausible to replicate such in Kano. Successive governments had engaged in some form of ambitious and lucid programs, but implementation has always been the bane. Some had zero empathy or developmental policies, while others had engaged in bizarre and atrocious conducts like arming youths for political thuggery, gangsterism and drug addicts.
No nation seeking greatness throws away its young, productive and prosperous demographics. By turning these groups to junkies, we are sitting on a gun powder, likely to consume us all.
It is on this premise, I decided to tread the path of honor and do things differently. Change the status quo, and campaign vigorously against drug abuse in Kano.
Drug abuse and education are at the core of my campaigns and manifestos.
According to data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes, UNODC, Kano State had the highest prevalence of drug use, citing about 16%, mostly youth. Similarly, the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, according to its Chairman, Gen Buba Marwa (rtd), alluded to this malaise sometime last year.
The scourge of drug abuse by Kano youths is worrisome, and every sane mind should see an end to this endemic malaise.
My focus is on the drive to halt the prevalence of drug use and the attendant menace it poses to the development of society. Most political actors in the State are complicit by sustaining its prevalence because it serves their purpose and offers them political advantage(s). There exists a symbiotic relationship between political thuggery and drug abuse.
Most often, political actors have a knack for recruiting and grooming young gullible and vulnerable youths as political pawns. They take advantage of these weak links and exploit their defence mechanism — poverty. They provide them meager stipends as retainer for electoral gangsterism.
Sadly, most of these youths were either school dropouts or had never seen what a classroom looks like, making them pawns in the hands of filthy political actors.
No society develops with an uninformed population. Kano’s population remains her asset, therefore, we must strive to preserve its sacrilegious status. We must build an informed society; to achieve that, we must create an informed youthful population, that way, we would develop a peaceful and prosperous society.
Out of Kano’s population, the youths make about 65% of the figure.
According to a popular saying, if you want to destroy a society, don’t throw bombs, target and destroy the most productive population, which is the youths.
What political actors arming youths and providing drugs for thuggery do not understand is, by such actions, they are on a self-destructive mission. They’re invariably destroying the very society they seek to govern.
Drug abuse is pure evil. Those who perpetrate and encourage its usage in whatever guise are involved in evil merchandising. What is more appalling is, those involved had their kids and wards in some of the best schools in the world. Some are in safe and comfortable choice location like Europe, US, China Dubai, KSA, etc.
Their privileged kids do not engage in campaigns, they don’t vote on election day, I am doubtful if they ever belong to any political party. They’re shielded from danger, the same kind, the children-of-nobodies are exposed to. The child of the common man becomes the sacrificial lamb for filthy politics.
My decision to focus on the menace of drug abuse and political thuggery is borne out of the desire to have an informed and better society. To build a prosperous Kano where everyone would be proud of irrespective of creed, background or political leaning. We must salvage the state and restore it to the path of peace and economic development.
My effort in that regard earned me the sobriquet AMBASSADOR AGAINST DRUG ABUSE and SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION. I shall in the coming weeks visit rehabilitation centers to provide whatever support necessary. I am developing a strategic document, which would cut across every sector of the society and get everyone involved. A “Road show” involving stakeholders is in the offing and would be out soon.
In the coming weeks, I shall equally roll out more of my people-oriented policies, which I consider my bond.
Keep a date, as we champion a new path for Kano, which I seek to serve by governing diligently.
Barr Inuwa Waya is a politician, activist and public commentator. He writes in from Kano